With the theme “Towards sustainable development and the Net Zero target through nature-based solutions (NbS)”, the program attracted the participation of nearly 70 representatives of VBCSD members and news agencies and newspapers in the VBCSD Sustainable Development Journalism Network. The program included two main activities: a workshop of the same name providing new and useful information about NbS and a visit and working session at Traphaco Hung Yen High-Tech Joint Stock Company and the company's yellow chrysanthemum medicinal herb growing area.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of VCCI, Chairman of VBCSD speaking at the training session.

If at COP-27, for the first time, nature-based solutions (NbS) were mentioned in the overarching decision, at COP-28, this was a highlight that was highly appreciated and discussed by experts, organizations and businesses. NbS is understood as solutions that use ecosystems and natural processes to address social, economic and environmental challenges. NbS protects and restores nature while bringing economic and social benefits to people. According to the World Bank, this group of solutions is expected to contribute 37% of greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2030 under the Paris Agreement, while also bringing additional benefits such as enhancing resilience and resilience of the environment and ecosystems to natural disasters.

At COP 26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also emphasized the viewpoint that “All actions to respond to climate change must be based on nature, with people at the center and the subject of sustainable development”. This continues to be the “compass”, the motto of action for all levels of government and people, affirming Vietnam’s responsibility in responding to climate change and restoring nature.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of VCCI, Chairman of VBCSD: It can be seen that NbS will become one of the priority directions that governments and business communities around the world and in Vietnam strongly prioritize in the coming time. Therefore, in this year's training program, we would like to introduce to the media agencies this highly interested content so that journalists and reporters have more updated information about NbS, thereby supporting them to work more effectively and accompany VBCSD-VCCI, as well as the business community on the journey to promote sustainable business, responsible business, and "natural" business.

Ms. Le Thi Hong Nhi, Deputy General Director of Communications, External Affairs and Sustainable Development of Unilever Vietnam said: “At Unilever, we believe that the development of a business is closely linked to the sustainability of society, and we set a mission to transform green to encourage sustainable consumption. Sunlight - a part of Unilever's home care products - is not only a leading dishwashing liquid brand in the hearts of every Vietnamese family, but also a pioneer in constantly innovating to launch products that are both safe, with outstanding performance but still friendly to the environment. In 2024, for the first time, Sunlight dishwashing liquid will launch the exclusive Rhamno Clean technology containing corn sugar fermented by beneficial microorganisms with 99.7% biodegradability. We believe this will be the green future of home care and each family will directly contribute to a green planet.”

Speakers at the seminar

Within the framework of the morning workshop, there was also a discussion session on “Promoting nature-based solutions in sustainable business development and towards the Net Zero goal” with the participation of representatives from the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE); Traphaco, British American Tobacco, Greenfeed and HSBC Vietnam Bank. Through the discussion session, delegates listened to updated information on outstanding policies of the Party and State related to promoting biodiversity conservation and natural resources; experiences and good practices at enterprises in production and business activities to create economic co-benefits for enterprises, develop the livelihoods of local communities and especially biodiversity conservation and natural resources in the areas where enterprises operate; as well as how financial institutions support projects applying NbS.

In the afternoon of the same day, VBCSD also organized a visit and working session at Traphaco High Technology Joint Stock Company (Traphaco CNC) in Hung Yen. Traphaco CNC was established in 2006 with Traphaco owning over 50%, a pioneer in the production of oriental medicine in Vietnam.

Ms. Dao Thuy Ha, Deputy General Director of Traphaco Joint Stock Company, said that Traphaco has chosen sustainable development as the mission of the enterprise. 15 years ago, the enterprise developed the GreenPlan sustainable medicinal herb development project, with many medicinal herb growing/harvesting areas according to GACP-WHO standards. Traphaco's growing areas are built according to the 4-house model (household, business, scientist and state) and apply advanced cultivation techniques to ensure high quality. Traphaco supports people in planting, caring for and harvesting products in growing areas according to strict processes, thereby improving income and life for farmers. To date, Traphaco has created 8 medicinal herb growing areas that meet standards. Sustainable development has enabled the enterprise to create oriental medicinal products that meet standards, develop stably and sustainably, and are trusted by consumers.

Ms. Dao Thuy Ha, Deputy General Director of Traphaco Joint Stock Company shares practical experience in sustainable development through nature-based solutions that the company is applying.

Training for media agencies on sustainable development is an initiative of VBCSD-VCCI, implemented annually since 2018. The program aims to provide news agencies and newspapers with updated information on policies and sustainable development orientations of the Party and Government, as well as practices and good practices in sustainable business of the business community in Vietnam. Thereby, VBCSD-VCCI helps raise awareness, support media agencies to work more effectively, and encourage journalists and reporters to accompany the business community more closely on the journey of responsible business.