ENTERPRISES LISTED IN THE GREEN BOOK: Role models on sustainable environmental protection

Speaking at the ceremony to announce the 2024 Binh Duong provincial Green Book yesterday morning (December 20), Mai Hung Dung, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of provincial People’s Committee, urged enterprises listed in the Green Book of Binh Duong province to continue upholding their achievements to become pioneers in environmental protection...

Role models honored

To ensure the accuracy, transparency and timeliness of the Green Book's development, based on an accurate assessment of the effectiveness and achievements of enterprises in the field of environmental protection, provincial People's Committee organized a widespread announcement of the plan for evaluating and compiling the 2024 Binh Duong Green Book through various mass media channels to inform and encourage enterprises to participate in. In addition, departments, sectors and People's Committees of districts and cities collaborated to compile a list of enterprises meeting required conditions and criteria for evaluation...

Provincial leaders present the certificates of merit from provincial People’s Committee to enterprises with outstanding achievements in environmental protection

Nguyen The Tung Lam, Deputy Head of provincial Environmental Protection Sub-Department explained that to be included in the list for evaluation in the Green Book, enterprises must fully meet the following conditions: Possessing an approval decision for the results of environmental impact assessment reports, environmental permits, environmental registration or equivalent documents as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 171 of the 2020 Environmental Protection Law; implementing waste treatment projects and measures in compliance with approved and verified environmental documentation, confirmed by competent authorities; ensuring that facilities have not been subject to administrative penalties for violations in environmental protection, water resources and are not the subject of complaints from the communities where production, business, or service facilities are located. Alternatively, if there have been complaints, verification must confirm these complaints to be unfounded for at least two years prior to the evaluation or during the time authorities are handling legal violations in environmental protection.

In 2024, 35 enterprises across the province were listed in the Green Book, with 18 of them receiving commendations from provincial People's Committee for their outstanding achievements in environmental protection. The Green Book has played a significant role in raising awareness of environmental protection among the business community, encouraging enterprises, production facilities and service providers to comply with environmental regulations.

Tetra Pak Binh Duong Joint Stock Company (located in the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park II-A), specializing in food processing and packaging, was among the 18 enterprises commended by provincial People’s Committee on this occasion. A company representative stated that Tetra Pak is committed to minimizing climate impact during its development process, increasing the use of renewable resources, utilizing paper from responsibly managed forests and doubling the recycling rate of used packaging in the near future. Tetra Pak Group aims at providing sustainable packaging, minimizing carbon emissions and eliminating waste generation.

Enhancing public awareness

According to provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, three criteria are used to evaluate enterprises for inclusion in the Green Book. The first criterion assesses compliance with environmental standards, regulations and industrial sanitation practices. The second criterion evaluates adherence to environmental procedures, documents and related matters. The third is an encouragement criterion, which includes having one of the following certifications: ISO 14001, 45001, GMB, or OHSAS 18001 (or equivalent, valid at the time of evaluation); receiving environmental awards; participating in community-based environmental protection activities; implementing initiatives or solutions for energy conservation, waste reuse, resource efficiency, or emission reduction; appointing trained personnel specializing in environmental protection or a related field and engaging in community-focused environmental protection activities beyond the scope of the factory.

Speaking at the ceremony announcing the Binh Duong Green Book 2024, Mai Hung Dung, Permanent Vice Chairman of provincial People's Committee stated that 2024 has been a challenging year for enterprises, especially with the new requirements and provisions of the 2020 Environmental Protection Law. Despite these difficulties, 35 enterprises were recognized in the Binh Duong Green Book 2024, including 18 that were specially commended and rewarded for their high spirit and strong sense of social responsibility.

To ensure that the Binh Duong Green Book continues serving as a platform for recognizing and honoring contributions by businesses to the province's development as well as a tool to support enterprises in building their brands and integrating internationally, Mr. Dung urged departments, agencies, associations and organizations to intensify communication efforts. These efforts aim at helping enterprises understand, comply with and effectively implement legal regulations, particularly those concerning environmental protection. He also emphasized the need to strengthen State management in assigned fields, promptly identify and nominate new enterprisses excelling in environmental protection for recognition and commendation.

Reported by Tien Hanh-Thanh Tuyen-Translated by Kim Tin