TOGETHER TOWARDS A GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CON DAO
With its unique natural environment and special historical relics, Con Dao has been designated as a national tourism destination of regional and international stature, prioritizing the development of eco-tourism, premium resorts, and cultural-historical-spiritual tourism. Circular economy is the solution to leverage its strengths, harmonizing ecological environment and sustainable economic development, while addressing the challenges facing this island district.
To implement this roadmap, in early November 2023, the People’s Committee of Con Dao proposed to airlines and high-speed boat companies to study, apply, and implement the “Circular Economy” project serving the sustainable socio-economic development of Con Dao. The goal is to prevent the generation of plastic waste that pollutes the environment, gradually improve the environmental pollution situation in the district, enhance the quality of life of the people, and contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of the district.
Con Dao authorities also called on airlines and high-speed boat companies to replace bottled water served to passengers with environmentally friendly alternatives, reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles and products packaged in nylon bags, and switch to paper cups, paper straws, bamboo trays, or other eco-friendly materials on flights or boat trips to Con Dao. They also suggested collecting single-use plastic bottles for proper disposal back on the mainland instead of throwing them into the sea or port.
In the coming time, the island district proposed that they continue to research the transition to products made from biodegradable biological materials such as paper, non-woven fabrics, and nylon made from wheat flour and corn starch. They also suggested a roadmap for new passenger transport vehicles to use electricity and green energy.
PIONEERING A “LIGHT AND SUSTAINABLE” AIR ROUTE
As the only airline currently serving Con Dao with frequent daily flights to this sacred land and tourist paradise, Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has always targeted and implemented many programs related to sustainable development and immediately embarked on realizing Con Dao’s sustainability.
Specifically, from March 15, 2024, all plastic waste and nylon bags on VNA flights have been collected and brought back to the mainland for proper disposal. Flight attendants also convey a message calling on passengers to join hands with Con Dao in the environmental protection campaign, encouraging the reduction of single-use plastic products during their stay on the island.
In September, VNA has been working with the People’s Committee of Con Dao to organize the “Fly Light to Con Dao” campaign, aiming to encourage passengers to reduce luggage weight, making the plane “lighter,” consuming less fuel, and thus reducing carbon emissions. The campaign also emphasizes minimizing the use of nylon and single-use plastic to reduce plastic waste, protect the environment, and contribute to the sustainable development of Con Dao.
“VNA has chosen Con Dao as the first location to implement the ‘Sustainable Flight Route’ project, with activities aimed at environmental protection and the preservation of the landscape and ecosystem,” emphasized the VNA leader. “Since its establishment, VNA has always prioritized promoting sustainable development, net emissions reduction, and addressing global climate change, including nature conservation, environmental protection, and carbon emissions reduction.”
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