Necessary conditions for operating a "natural flavor" business

Enterprises have supported coffee farmers to switch to cultivation, helping to develop sustainably. Photo: Nestlé Vietnam

Keeping the pace of sustainable development

Sharing about the business trends in 2025 of enterprises, Mr. Kim Le Huy, General Director of DKSH Vietnam Company (a company providing market development services) said that in the past 3-6 months, the economic situation has become more positive. Moreover, enterprises are also looking forward to the Tet season to create momentum for development as well as the increasing number of tourists, creating favorable conditions to promote development in the retail sector.

Regarding sustainable development, Mr. Huy said that, along with the development trend of the economy, to keep the pace of sustainable development, enterprises need to create consensus and build habits in the way companies work with new improvements and more effective working methods.

For example, the Company has used electronic signatures to convert to a digital model, thereby reducing the amount of paperwork and simplifying procedures in work. According to Mr. Huy, DKSH is a global enterprise so it has a set of standards on sustainable development. In the coming time, the Company will continue to try to harmonize with the conditions in each country, including Vietnam, to focus on development. Also regarding sustainable development orientation, Mr. Binu Jacob, General Director of Nestlé Vietnam Company said that since 2020, Nestlé has announced a roadmap for net zero emissions (Net Zero) aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2025, by 50% by 2030 and reach Net Zero by 2050.

Or through the NESCAFÉ Plan program, Nestlé has supported more than 21,000 coffee farming households to switch to regenerative farming methods, helping to reduce 20% of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and save 40-60% of irrigation water.

In addition, the Company also promotes the conversion of regenerative farming methods in the agricultural sector towards the goal of building a sustainable agriculture and reducing emissions.

Similarly, a representative of C.P Vietnam Joint Stock Company said that, aiming for a green future, the Company has committed to reducing emissions, switching to renewable energy, eliminating coal use and implementing projects to protect the environment and natural resources.

Concerns about "greenwashing" and high costs

In general, according to Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Chairman of the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), the global business community is actively and urgently transforming from a "gray" economy to a "green" and sustainable economy.

Mr. Vinh also emphasized that businesses following the sustainable development trend have shown high adaptability and resilience to negative changes from the outside as well as the ability to flexibly and effectively seize the opportunities that the economy brings.

Many businesses, both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises (FDI) such as PNJ, Vinamilk, Traphaco, Bao Viet, SASCO, Nestlé, HEINEKEN, SABECO, Coca-Cola, Unilever Vietnam, etc. are implementing green production models very well, bringing circular elements deep into the production chain, making efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to create sustainable livelihoods for disadvantaged communities through inclusive business models, or practicing the Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) assessment framework in businesses.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has published a report showing that, in the last 10 years alone (2014-2023), the total damage from extreme weather events related to climate change is about 2,000 billion USD, equivalent to the damage from the 2008 global financial crisis.

Therefore, in the coming time, this will continue to be a trend that businesses need to focus on implementing. Mr. Kim Le Huy said that businesses need to look at sustainable development from a different perspective, not as a model to call for investment but as a mandatory development, a prerequisite and necessary condition for businesses to operate smoothly.

However, one of the worrying issues in the sustainable development trend is "greenwashing". That is, many businesses have not implemented the process accurately related to environmental and green growth certifications and certificates.

Mr. Binu Jacob commented that, in fact, 90% of Vietnamese enterprises lack in-depth knowledge as well as a clear orientation on sustainable development. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the legal framework to further promote green growth and sustainable growth.

According to Mr. Le Viet Anh, Director of the Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Planning and Investment, the process of sustainable growth and green development requires relatively large investment costs. Many enterprises are still hesitant to invest in innovation of technological lines as well as long-term innovation investment, ensuring standards on greenhouse gas emissions or environmental protection standards.

Therefore, enterprises suggest that the State needs to have a very clear policy mechanism to support enterprises in the transformation process. In which, it is necessary to mobilize enough financial resources so that the sustainable development and green growth processes have enough resources to implement and support enterprises.

At the same time, it is necessary to increase awareness for both businesses and people, because the final products are delivered to consumers. When consumers tend to consume green, environmentally friendly products, it will create a very strong motivation for businesses to continue their production and business processes.