BAT Vietnam - Persistently pursuing the goal of A Better Tomorrow on the journey of sustainable development
Kiên định mục tiêu Vì Một Ngày Mai Tốt Đẹp Hơn trên hành trình phát triển bền vững
As part of the review of sustainable development achievements, Ms. Do Hoang Anh, Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs of BAT Vietnam, had a conversation to share about the implementation process of BAT Vietnam's ESG strategies and initiatives with the audience of TheInsight program - a podcast series produced by Tri Thuc Magazine (Zing News).
According to Ms. Do Hoang Anh, BAT Vietnam has long recognized that sustainable development is one of the key focuses that the company needs to pay attention to in its operations and business activities. Starting from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities such as building charity houses or supporting women with interest-free loans, by 2021, the company officially launched a more comprehensive Sustainable Development (ESG) strategy, focusing on three main pillars: Environment, Society, and Governance.
BAT Vietnam is persistent in its sustainable development orientation thanks to three main drivers. Firstly, sustainable development helps promote efficient business operations, such as cutting fuel in production to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save costs, or supporting farmers to apply low-emission farming techniques to improve the quality of input materials. In addition, the commitment to sustainable development also helps BAT Vietnam attract talent, especially the young generation such as Gen Z and Millennials, who want to put their personal goals of protecting the environment into practice and contributing to the community through work. In addition, BAT Vietnam has been operating in Vietnam for more than 30 years, so the company is always motivated by the desire to join hands with the Government and authorities to fulfill commitments on adapting to climate change, protecting biodiversity, or the goal of poverty reduction, improving gender equality, etc. in Vietnam. Regarding the Environmental pillar, the company strives to minimize the impact of its production and business activities on the environment and create more positive values. BAT Vietnam focuses on the following aspects: (1) adapting to climate change through reducing emissions in production, (2) protecting biodiversity and ecosystems with afforestation programs, (3) managing water resources with a ‘reduce’ and ‘recycle’ approach as well as cleaning up river systems, and (4) circular economy by recycling waste and zero landfill waste.
For Society, BAT Vietnam focuses on: (1) improving the livelihoods of farmers in the supply chain, and (2) supporting the community through the "Women’s Empowerment" program, as well as visiting and giving gifts to those in poor circumstances.
In the field of Governance, the company always ensures to maintain high standards of corporate governance with ethics and integrity in all activities.
BAT Vietnam's ESG strategy not only aligns with the Group's direction but also fits the realities and needs in Vietnam, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
With these commitments, BAT Vietnam has achieved many encouraging results and has become increasingly prominent each year in implementing its ESG strategy. Two notable achievements include the "Women’s Empowerment" program and the afforestation project in Dong Nai and Ca Mau from 2022 to 2024.
The "Women’s Empowerment" program, which BAT Vietnam has been implementing since 2006, continues to provide interest-free loans to women in poor circumstances, without stable jobs, and living in precarious conditions in border areas. Up to date, the program has supported over 500 women, contributing to improving the lives of thousands of people in the localities where the program is implemented. The program also enhances community solidarity and promotes sustainable socio-economic development in the local area.
Additionally, in 2024, BAT Vietnam officially completed its commitment to collaborate with the GAIA Nature Conservation Center to nurture and promote the regeneration of 120 hectares of mudflats in Ca Mau into mangrove forests, and to green 4 hectares of forest in Dong Nai with 2,000 trees from 2022 to 2024. In the coming time, the company will continue to work with GAIA to care for and monitor the young mangrove trees growing from the 120 hectares of nurtured mudflats to ensure that by 2030, these 120 hectares will become mature mangrove forests, providing significant ecological value to the Mekong Delta and Vietnam.
Despite these achievements, according to Ms. Do Hoang Anh, BAT Vietnam has faced challenges in ensuring the effectiveness of long-term investments in ESG programs and meeting the requirements of the Government's sustainable development regulations in Vietnam, as many policies are still being developed since Vietnam is still in the early stages of sustainable development.
To gradually overcome these challenges, the company has closely coordinated with State authorities to monitor and understand the policies being issued, as well as inherited experience and technology from the Group to address these difficulties.
For internal company activities, BAT Vietnam always incorporates ESG factors into all its business plans. Programs such as ESG Day, volunteer activities, and innovative solutions in production have helped employees understand the role of sustainable development in their daily work, while also encouraging them to directly participate in this journey.
"Sustainable development is not about sacrificing economic interest but rather supporting economic activities to create lasting values for many years and decades to come. The story of BAT Vietnam is a clear example of this notion, as the company's investments in emission reduction help save fuel and improve production efficiency, or support farmers in sustainable farming to enhance yield and quality in the raw material regions" – Ms. Do Hoang Anh conveyed this message at the end of the podcast.
With a deeply implemented ESG strategy, BAT Vietnam is creating timeless values, not only enhancing business efficiency but also contributing to accompanying the community and the Vietnamese Government on the path to sustainable development. This is not just a journey but a mission that BAT Vietnam is committed to fulfilling, for A Better Tomorrow for future generations.
Listen to the full Podcast here: BAT Việt Nam: Phát triển bền vững không phải đánh đổi lợi ích kinh tế - Kinh doanh - ZNEWS.VN