A solar power and wind power farm is put into operation in the south central Ninh Thuan province. (Photo: VNA) Da Nang (VNS/VNA) - The Vietnam Corporate Energy Leaders (VCEL)initiative has been announced at the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum2020, promoting the use of renewable energy in driving greener production andsustainable growth in a globally competitive Vietnam.
WWF-Vietnam said the new initiative was co-founded by WWF and the VietnamBusiness Council for Sustainable Development under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerceand Industry (VCCI), in partnership with the Clean Energy InvestmentAccelerator (CEIA).
“I am very proud to announce the Viet Nam Corporate Energy Leaders initiativetoday,” said Dr Benjamin Rawson, Conservation and Programme DevelopmentDirector at WWF-Vietnam.
“We welcome all international and domestic companies and banks in Vietnam withrenewable energy ambitions to join VCEL. Your renewable energy future awaits”
Often energy is treated as merely a cost to be managed, even in companies thatspend millions or more on it each year. But more firms are embracing renewableenergy as an affordable solution that delivers a competitive edge in a globalmarket where customers and the public are increasingly interested insustainable production and environmental performance.
Non-hydro renewable energy deployment has rapidly ramped up in recent years,growing to about 12.5 percent and far exceeding the target set in Vietnam’spower development plan. However, 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 to supportsustainable development is entirely feasible for Vietnam, according to the WWF.
To help achieve this goal, VCEL engages and supports companies to unlockopportunities for renewable energy. VCEL and its members will help Vietnamreduce emissions to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, create green jobsand drive the transition to a greener economy powered by renewable energy.
“Companies have a unique opportunity to lead the transition to renewable energyand more ambitious climate action. In recent years, Government policies havemade conditions more favourable for renewable energy, but there are stillchallenges for companies that have growing demands for renewable energy, “saidNguyen Quang Vinh, Secretary-General cum Vice President, Vietnam BusinessCouncil for Sustainable Development (VBCSD).
“VCEL will bring businesses, experts, financial institutions and investorstogether to overcome barriers to build a renewable energy future in Vietnam,”he said.
According to VCCI, VCEL will create a corporate community to share information,experience and learning, while providing market intelligence and localexpertise to inform decision making and build renewable energy awareness andcapacity.
It also helps build strong local relationships to channels buyers’ collectivevoice and needs into decision-making processes, informing companies on greenfinancing opportunities.
VCEL will also recognise renewable energy leadership as companies set and worktowards ambitious sustainability commitments.
VCEL is the latest chapter of WWF’s global Climate Business Hub and CorporateRenewable Energy programme, which are local-to-global networks that supportcompanies to drive the transition to a sustainable future powered by renewableenergy.
Current VCEL members include H&M, Adidas, Puma, Luc Dong, Vietnam BankingAssociation, DEEP C, TPSC and EnergyEstate, all of whom commit to takingconcrete action to support renewable energy deployment./.
VNA
