SABECO lights path for green change

With electricity shortages expected to put great pressure on the national power grid in the near future, the application of green and sustainable energy solutions will be a long-term key to solving production issues. Mitigating climate change impacts and sustainable development is also a goal that requires the cooperation of many parties.

At the launch ceremony of a programme to evaluate and sustainable businesses in Vietnam in May, Nguyen Quang Vinh, chairman of the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development, said that sustainable business helps companies strengthen their internal resources, improve their position, and win the trust of the government, investors, and especially consumers.

“Over the years, more and more businesses have chosen a sustainable business development model, but the number of businesses that can persevere and complete the set goals is not high due to the lack of long-term vision as well as the right investment,” he said.

SABECO is implementing new systems for its packaging

A greener journey

According to Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO), sustainable development efforts carried out from business to community are part of its commitment to sustainable development revolving around its four pillars of country, culture, conservation, and consumption.

In May, SABECO officially implemented the second phase of a rooftop solar power project in the production system. It is expected that by the end of this year, a total of 17 of 26 plants will use renewable energy sources, saving 25 million kWh of electricity per year.

It is estimated that 18,000 tonnes of CO2 will also be reduced each year, contributing to the company’s net-zero emissions target by 2050, while also helping to support the National Green Growth Strategy for this decade.

Starting the transformation plan began in 2018, SABECO has not only promoted green initiatives within the business but has also strengthened cooperation with state agencies and social organisations to implement many initiatives in the community. These include installing solar lights in localities, which contributed to raising awareness about renewable energy and protecting the environment.

A majority of provinces now benefit from the company’s solar street light initiative

In 2022, the project “Lighting up the countryside” by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in collaboration with SABECO installed 34km of solar street lights in 34 rural areas across 34 provinces, boosting environmental sustainability and safety for local people.

It is expected that by the end of 2023, all provinces will be supported by this project with at least one kilometre of solar street lights, helping to spread the application of renewable energy and raise awareness of green lifestyles. It will also help reach the National Green Growth Strategy targets.

A rooftop solar energy system at Bia Saigon Quang Ngai Brewery has been installed

Expanding responsibility

In order to realise the goal of green growth and bring net emissions to zero, the government has taken stronger measures for businesses, such as changing the Law on Environmental Protection, an increase in the environmental protection tax rate, and the latest issuance of the Extended Manufacturer Responsibility regulations, which requires businesses to be responsible for the life cycle of each product that is sold.

Furthermore, instead of using fossil fuels to power its boilers, SABECO has switched to plant-based biomass fuel made from rice husks, sawdust, cashew shells, and leaves, implemented a wastewater treatment system, used sustainable packaging by down-gauging cans and light-weighting cardboard boxes and bottles, and reused beer glasses and bottles.

SABECO has also made a number of additional steps to reduce its environmental effect. These include pushing continual improvements in water consumption, where the amount utilised per litre of beer produced has been lowered from 5 litres in 2018 to less than 3 litres last year.

With a commitment towards the goal of raising the status of Vietnamese brands and contributing to building a more prosperous Vietnamese community and country, SABECO will continue to strengthen initiatives on green growth, making a strong contribution to the national goals and gradually improving the enterprises’ competitiveness.

SABECO’s national system consists of 26 breweries, 11 member trading companies, and a network of hundreds of thousands of sales points across the country. The company takes pride in its portfolio of beer brands that are beloved by the people of Vietnam, including Bia Lac Viet, Bia Saigon Chill, Bia 333, Bia Saigon Special, Bia Saigon Export, Bia Saigon Lager, and Bia Saigon Gold.