Vietnam has recognised the importance of environmentally-friendlylifestyles in achieving its goal of sustainable development for a numberof years, yet continues to face challenges in increasing greenconsumption.
There has been a global shift inconsumption behaviours towards a greener lifestyle in which consumerspurchase environmentally friendly products that do not negatively affecthuman health or threaten natural ecosystems.
The socio-economic development strategy of Vietnam between 2011 and 2020stressed the urgent need to change consumption patterns towardssustainability to protect and improve environment quality and activelyaddress climate change.
The country has alsoadopted a national strategy for green growth for the period from 2011 to2020 with a vision to 2050, which encourages the development of cleanproduction to enhance the efficient use of natural resources whilereducing emission and pollution as well as a civilised, harmonious andnaturally-friendly culture in consumption. The strategy forms a stronglegal foundation for related state policies and campaign and actionplans at the local level.
Ho Chi Minh City isan example of successfully organising annual green consumption campaignssince 2010. Over the past four years, the city has attracted over30,000 volunteers and 3.7 million local residents to take part in itscampaign. Green product sales rose by 40-60 percent during the campaignmonths.
Since the per capita GDP of Vietnam hasincreased from 699.5 USD in 2005 to 1,960 USD in 2014, there has been anincreasing demand in the country for green products that meet safetystandards with environmentally friendly features.
Yet plenty of challenges remain, including non-green governmentprocurement of goods and services. The government has not createdpolicies to encourage the purchase of recyclable or environmentallyfriendly products for its own uses.
Additionally, most local businesses prefer old-fashioned andenergy-intensive machines and technologies for their low cost despitethe fact that they have negative impacts on environment.
Others challenges include the overuse of coal, oil and gasolinerather than green sources of energy, such as solar energy, wind powerand biogas, and the popularity of extravagant lifestyles which promotethe purchasing of imported luxurious commodities.
Experts urged the Government to build a legal framework on greenconsumption along with incentives for makers and providers of greenproducts and services. More communications and promotion campaignsshould be organised to improve consumers’ awareness and help them buildgood buying habits.-VNA
There has been a global shift inconsumption behaviours towards a greener lifestyle in which consumerspurchase environmentally friendly products that do not negatively affecthuman health or threaten natural ecosystems.
The socio-economic development strategy of Vietnam between 2011 and 2020stressed the urgent need to change consumption patterns towardssustainability to protect and improve environment quality and activelyaddress climate change.
The country has alsoadopted a national strategy for green growth for the period from 2011 to2020 with a vision to 2050, which encourages the development of cleanproduction to enhance the efficient use of natural resources whilereducing emission and pollution as well as a civilised, harmonious andnaturally-friendly culture in consumption. The strategy forms a stronglegal foundation for related state policies and campaign and actionplans at the local level.
Ho Chi Minh City isan example of successfully organising annual green consumption campaignssince 2010. Over the past four years, the city has attracted over30,000 volunteers and 3.7 million local residents to take part in itscampaign. Green product sales rose by 40-60 percent during the campaignmonths.
Since the per capita GDP of Vietnam hasincreased from 699.5 USD in 2005 to 1,960 USD in 2014, there has been anincreasing demand in the country for green products that meet safetystandards with environmentally friendly features.
Yet plenty of challenges remain, including non-green governmentprocurement of goods and services. The government has not createdpolicies to encourage the purchase of recyclable or environmentallyfriendly products for its own uses.
Additionally, most local businesses prefer old-fashioned andenergy-intensive machines and technologies for their low cost despitethe fact that they have negative impacts on environment.
Others challenges include the overuse of coal, oil and gasolinerather than green sources of energy, such as solar energy, wind powerand biogas, and the popularity of extravagant lifestyles which promotethe purchasing of imported luxurious commodities.
Experts urged the Government to build a legal framework on greenconsumption along with incentives for makers and providers of greenproducts and services. More communications and promotion campaignsshould be organised to improve consumers’ awareness and help them buildgood buying habits.-VNA
