The Asia Responsibility Enterprise Award (AREA) is a prestigious international award that has been recognizing outstanding businesses in Asia for their excellence in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development since its inception in 2011. In 2024, the award was held for the first time in Vietnam under the theme “Building Towards an ESG-Driven Future,” emphasizing the importance of sustainable business practices, practical application of ESG, and creating a greener future.
Vinamilk, a leading dairy company in Vietnam, participated in the award for the first time and was honored in the “Green Leadership” category. This recognition highlights their strategies and efforts towards achieving Net Zero by 2050, making them the only dairy company in Asia to receive this accolade.
Vinamilk was the sole dairy enterprise recognized in the “Green Leadership” category.
Sustainable development requires a strong commitment from leadership and consistent implementation throughout the organization. Therefore, the “Green Leadership” category always garners significant attention. This year, with a focus on climate change and Net Zero, the criteria for this category included efficient resource utilization, emission reduction measures, green technology applications, and sustainable development initiatives, aiming to honor Asian businesses with exemplary sustainable development strategies.
“Net Zero” – From Commitment to Execution
Vinamilk demonstrated its dedication to sustainability by launching the “Vinamilk Pathways to Dairy Net Zero 2050” action program in 2023, outlining its commitment and roadmap towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. In the first year of this journey, Vinamilk accomplished notable milestones, including having three units certified carbon neutral according to the international standard PAS 2060:2014: the Nghe An Dairy Factory, the Nghe An Dairy Farm, and the Vietnam Beverage Factory. The company has neutralized a total of 21,000 tons of CO2e, equivalent to planting over 2 million trees.
Vinamilk is the first and only dairy company in Vietnam to have carbon-neutral factories and farms.
Even before this initiative, “greenhouse gas emission management” was included in the company’s sustainability reports as one of the 11 critical aspects of sustainable development. Since 2021, Vinamilk has been a pioneer in conducting greenhouse gas inventories according to the international standard ISO14064 for its factories, enabling them to assess emissions and develop effective reduction plans. The company is now prepared to undertake scope 3 emissions reporting, demonstrating its comprehensive approach to sustainability.
Vinamilk’s 14 farms across Vietnam are implementing sustainable agriculture and green energy solutions.
By conducting greenhouse gas inventories, Vinamilk has established a robust database and standardized “green” practices within its production and farming processes. The company’s emission reduction and energy-saving technologies meet international standards, including ISO 50001 for energy management, ISO 14001 for environmental management (for factories), the European Organic standard, and the GlobalG.A.P. standard for good agricultural practices (for farms). Additionally, they have recently obtained the PAS 2060:2014 certification for carbon neutrality.
“While we have implemented various synchronized solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is challenging for a livestock and manufacturing company to completely eliminate emissions and achieve Net Zero. Therefore, Vinamilk has been committed to tree-planting initiatives from an early stage. After completing our 1 Million Green Trees Fund, we launched the Vinamilk Net Zero Forest Project to create carbon sinks and protect and develop forests in Vietnam,” shared Mr. Le Hoang Minh, Executive Director of Production and Head of the Net Zero Project at Vinamilk.
Vinamilk’s tree-planting activities encourage the participation of employees, youth union members, and the community.
Specifically, the company is investing approximately VND 25 billion in projects such as the “Tree Planting Activities towards Net Zero 2023-2027,” the “Rehabilitation and Regeneration of 25 hectares of Mangrove Forest in Ca Mau,” and the “Protection and Development of Forests in Laos” (under the Lao-Jagro project). They are also exploring additional tree-planting initiatives to expand their positive impact.
Vinamilk has committed to reducing emissions by 15% by 2027, 55% by 2035, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The company is vigorously pursuing these ambitious goals, leading the way for Vietnam’s dairy industry and contributing positively to the country’s journey towards Net Zero, as pledged at COP26.
An Exciting International Children’s Day: Kicking Off a Summer of Fun and Engaging Activities for Kids
This past International Children’s Day on June 1st, Vinamilk kicked off a series of exciting summer activities for children. The company organized and sponsored a range of events to celebrate and show their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of young people. It marked the beginning of a season filled with engaging and fun initiatives for kids, with Vinamilk playing a pivotal role in making it all happen.
“Vinamilk Steps Up: Donating Essential Nutrition Products Worth Nearly 3 Billion VND to 10 Provinces Affected by Storms and Floods”
Vinamilk Steps Up to Support Northern Provinces Devastated by Yagi, Donating Nearly VND 3 Billion Worth of Essential Nutrition.
The donation includes over 550,000 essential nutritional products, such as milk and water, to help those affected by the storm’s aftermath.
Vinamilk: Top Brand on the Rise for 2024
As per the Vietnam Brand Footprint 2024 report by Kantar, Vinamilk has, for the 12th consecutive year, retained its position as the most chosen dairy brand. This billion-dollar brand has also successfully maintained its spot within the top 3 most chosen Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) manufacturers in Vietnam.
An Unexpected Joy on Opening Day: A Gift for Disadvantaged Students in Ben Tre Province
On the joyous occasion of the ‘National Back to School Festival’ on September 5, 2024, Vinamilk, the Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company, in collaboration with the Vietnam Children’s Fund, distributed nearly 200,000 boxes of fresh milk to students as part of their 2024 plans for the ‘Vietnamese Growing Milk Fund’ program. To mark this special day, a unique opening ceremony was held for students in Ba Tri district, Ben Tre province, as a meaningful gift to welcome them back to school for the new academic year.
“Vinamilk Shines in Dairy Exports, Demonstrating the Power of Vietnamese Brands”
Vinamilk’s international business endeavors are not just contributing to its business success but also taking the pride of Vietnamese brands to the global stage. With a continuous expansion into new export markets, an increasingly diverse range of products, and the attainment of prestigious international standards, Vinamilk is solidifying the standing of Vietnamese-made dairy products in the international arena.
