On 10th of March, representatives of six Business Councils for Sustainable Development (BCSDs) from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the meeting of the Action 2020 in Southeast Asia (SEA Action2020) Project in Bangkok, Thailand. At this meeting, the deputies introduced their Councils’ sub-projects under the umbrella of SEA Action 2020 and updated the progress of those sub-projects. Besides, the participants also agreed to establish the Coalition of BCSDs in Southeast Asia. This Coalition will gather the voices of more than 200 companies operating in the region who commit to sustainable development, and serve as a foundation for strengthening and tightening the cooperation ties among six member BCSDs in establishing, promoting, soliciting funds and implementing projects. The Coalition’s brochure is being designed and expected to be introduced at the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum (VCSF) held by VBCSD in Hanoi on 14th of May. One day later, VBCSD will chair the follow-up meeting of SEA Action2020 Project.
SEA Action 2020, an action programme of Southeast Asia businesses was initiated by the Singapore BCSD and received a warm response from five BCSDs in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The project aims to create a platform for businesses in the region to contribute and share their solutions to address major environmental and social challenges. SEA Action 2020 will help realize the Action2020 of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
VBCSD’s sub-projects in SEA Action 2020 include:
· Energy and Climate Change
· Inclusive Business
· Sustainability Reporting
· Economic Empowerment of Women
· Cleaner Production
· Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
· Integrity and transparency in business
Natural capital is a new way for business to think of the environment — a way that overcomes the current disconnect between economic growth and nature
Focused on finding “breakthroughs for inclusive and sustainable growth in ASEAN post 2015”, the ASEAN Next-Gen Corporate Social Responsibility Forum was held at the Laguna Resort in Bali, Indonesia from 3-7 February, with ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh and Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani as guests of honour.
Following the award of USD 2.5 million to the first eight companies in October 2013, VBCF has decided to invest an additional funding of USD 6.5 million to 13 innovative and inclusive business ventures in three focus areas, including agriculture (42%), low carbon growth (33%), infrastructure and basic services (25%)
Low productivity is the main factor hampering competitiveness - the key to economic growth. Vietnam is at risk of being left behind in the economic development race if its productivity disadvantages are not addressed.
Every six month, VBCSD is honored to have a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister cum Chairman of the National Council for Sustainable Development and Competitiveness Improvement.
This year, the Low Carbon Economy Index (LCEI) is being launched in the run up to the critical series of international climate meetings and negotiations that are kicking off in New York, then moving on to Lima and Paris by December 2015.
How to improve the quality and sustainability of the tea industry is the main content of the conference recently held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Unilever Vietnam and some international consulting organisations in Hanoi.
Unilever is one of the world’s leading multinational companies specializing in food, home, personal care products. Unilever is now operating in over 150 countries and territories in the world. Its commitment is to improve quality of life for people around the world through its high quality products & services.
Innovation of technology in manufacturing is a key factor in creating a green and sustainable economy. In which, businesses play an important role by investing in new technologies and manufacturing model innovating.
Recently, Suntory PepsiCo focus on carrying out and speeding up environmental protection activities together with localities.
