In the global context of moving towards Net Zero, green transformation is no longer just a trend—it has become a vital strategy for businesses. According to Dr. Nguyễn Hoài Nam – Deputy Director of the Institute of Energy and Environmental Science and Technology, green transformation brings significant impacts on both business and environmental aspects.
Business Benefits:
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Reduced operating costs, increased productivity: Businesses that adopt energy-saving technologies and optimized production processes can cut greenhouse gas emissions, thereby improving efficiency and significantly reducing costs.
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Enhanced reputation and brand value: Green transformation helps businesses gain favor with customers and international partners, opening up opportunities for collaboration, investment, and entry into high-end markets with stringent ESG requirements.
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Lower legal risks – Leading the export trend: Transparent emission reporting enables businesses to comply with regulations such as the EU's CBAM and ESG standards from the US, Japan, etc., while also gaining access to preferential green financing.
Positive Environmental Impacts:
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Contributing to national climate goals: By applying waste heat recovery technology, replacing fossil fuels with clean energy, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration, businesses not only reduce emissions but also improve air quality and restore biodiversity.
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Driving technological innovation: Green transformation is a powerful driver of process innovation, improving the efficiency of energy and material usage.
ASEAN – Vietnam Businesses: Accelerating to Stay Ahead
Many businesses in the ASEAN region have demonstrated that emission reduction and green transformation not only benefit the environment but also directly enhance profitability. Through the combination of new technologies, innovative processes, and green finance policies, the ASEAN region is reducing millions of tons of CO₂ annually.
Vietnamese Green Export Ambitions: What’s Holding Us Back?
As green standards and emission reduction requirements become the "passport" to demanding markets like the EU, US, and Japan, many Vietnamese businesses still face major barriers on their green transformation journey.
According to Dr. Nguyễn Hoài Nam, Vietnamese businesses are encountering several challenges in this process, including:
- High initial investment costs, which can disrupt production plans when applying green technologies and processes.
- Lack of coherent policies, with no specific support mechanisms and inconsistent enforcement of regulations.
- An unprepared supply chain, making it difficult to access raw materials and equipment that meet green standards.
- Lack of data and tools for measuring and reporting emissions, which hampers effective emission management and control.
Vietnam’s textile and garment industry—one of the key export pillars—is under intense global competition. Leading businesses have taken structured steps from identifying their carbon footprint and building ESG strategies to implementing green solutions.
Green transformation is not just a social responsibility—it is a competitive advantage and a brand asset. Businesses that act early will gain strong support from international customers and partners.
It’s time for Vietnamese businesses to overcome barriers and breakthrough in green exports!
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About GEVA:
The “Green Export Acceleration through Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS)” program is a project funded by the Government of Switzerland, managed by the International Trade Centre (ITC), and implemented by KisStartup during the period from April 2025 to April 2026.
The project aims to enhance the green export capacity of Vietnamese businesses by promoting the adoption of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS). This will be achieved through a series of activities including training, consulting, incubation – acceleration programs, and international market linkages, enabling businesses to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of global markets.