A seminar reviewing the progress made by a major environmental pilotproject in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City took place in the capital onAugust 17.

Launched in November 2012 under the auspices of theEuropean Union Switch Asia programme, the “Live Green Vietnam” projectaims to offer environmentally conscious training to 1,000 consumers whoare expected to build a more sustainable future.

The trainingoffers consumption awareness and advice on consumer behaviour at a timewhen natural resources are depleting and the environment is becomingseriously polluted.

Deputy Director of the Asian Institute ofTechnology in Vietnam (AITVN) Nguyen Thi Bich Hoa said the pilot projecthas produced research providing a foundation for people of all ages,professions and educational backgrounds to receive training.

Divided into 10 groups, the pilot participants attended five meetings tolearn about diverse topics such as food, transport, energy saving,shopping and waste. Additionally, they also learnt about the concept of“Living Green” and “Sustaintable consumption.”

TechnicalDirector of the project Marcel Crul said the Delft University ofTechnology (TUD) will be responsbile for developing methods anddocumentation to implement the project on a large scale in early 2014.

The coordinating board also plans to publish a handbook ofsustainable consumption and training materials for all participants.

The seminar was co-hosted by the Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre, the AITVN and the TUD of the Netherlands.-VNA