“There is never enough talk about Net Zero as it encompasses a multitude of issues and challenges that a business needs to address. But whatever the issue, it is a journey of values that Vinamilk will never put on a scale to compare with money,” said Mai Kieu Lien, CEO of Vinamilk, as she began the conversation about the company’s sustainable development.
COMMITTED TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY
Many businesses have mentioned the Net Zero target after the government’s commitment. Is there any sense of competition in the story of sustainable development, and what are Vinamilk’s principles?
Sustainable development is not a competition. Each business has its own path and contributions to make. It is important to understand that we cannot achieve the Net Zero target if we work alone. If there is any competition, it is a race against time.
Business will have its ups and downs, but sustainable development must stem from a sense of responsibility and from what we feel compelled to do, even if it is not mandatory. For over 48 years, Vinamilk has been committed to serving the community, and when we undertake something, we ensure it meets international standards. This is the principle I always emphasize to my colleagues.
When did Vinamilk start its journey towards sustainable development, specifically the Net Zero target?
Even before the Net Zero 2050 commitment was announced, we had already initiated various programs, such as planting one million green trees since 2012, publishing sustainability reports for the past 12 years, and operating farms and factories with emission reduction criteria for many years.
Since the 1990s, Vinamilk has been working closely with dairy farmers to build a fresh milk supply chain and develop the domestic dairy farming industry.
When Vinamilk’s farms were established, we invested in building them according to global standards like Global GAP and good agricultural practices.
In 2013, Vinamilk invested in constructing a state-of-the-art dairy plant in Binh Duong province. From the production lines, processing technology, robots, and smart warehouses to the management and operation processes, the facility was designed with energy efficiency and emission reduction in mind.
At Vinamilk stores nationwide, we have been using biodegradable and environmentally friendly bags for the past five years.
As you mentioned, Vinamilk has been working towards sustainable development for many years. What is the key to ensuring the continuity of such long-term projects at Vinamilk?
Perseverance. This quality has been with Vinamilk for 48 years and across multiple generations, not just for a single project or program. For instance, our “One Million Green Trees for Vietnam” campaign, which we started over a decade ago, began with planting a few hundred to a few thousand trees, and we have now surpassed our initial goal.
Recently, during our project to enclose and restore mangrove forests in Ca Mau, Vinamilk employees enthusiastically waded through mud and braved the rain to build fences to aid in the regeneration of the forests. We are a collective working together towards Net Zero and sustainable development, not just individuals.
EMBRACING CHANGE, ALWAYS STRIVING FOR THE HIGHEST STANDARDS
In a previous interview, you mentioned, “I am not afraid to change the company’s policies if necessary.” It seems that the leader’s role is crucial in Vinamilk’s Net Zero journey. Can you elaborate on that?
Yes, I am open to change if it is necessary. Having held various positions at Vinamilk, I have realized that if a leader’s direction does not convince the team, success will be elusive. The Net Zero roadmap is now an integral part of Vinamilk’s overall strategy and has been incorporated into the goals of our functional areas and specific units. This roadmap is no longer dependent on individual leaders but on processes and sets of standards that are followed and implemented.
At Vinamilk, we continuously raise the bar on these standards, striving for excellence. For example, while standard A may have been sufficient for managing greenhouse gas emissions in the past, we now need standard B to achieve carbon neutrality. In today’s rapidly changing environment, those who do not strive for continuous improvement in their knowledge and skills will struggle to create value for the business.
What challenges have you faced in implementing emission reduction projects as part of your Net Zero journey?
The most obvious challenge, in my opinion, is the “newness” factor. The dairy industry is about 300 years old globally and around 60 years old in Vietnam, while sustainable development is a new field for the industry worldwide, not just for us. This challenge demands long-term commitment and perseverance from the business.
However, the most significant challenge is people. Success or failure hinges not on money, finances, or technology but on the people involved. I often tell my colleagues that the world is moving fast, and Vinamilk employees need to be self-reliant, continuously improve themselves, and be open to rethinking what they already know to do better. That is what matters and will determine our future development.
Has Vinamilk faced any obstacles when making investment decisions for sustainable development?
I have not encountered any internal obstacles. As for our raw material suppliers and partners, I find that they are also enthusiastic about joining us in our sustainable development strategies.
I often tell my employees that our actions must not harm others. Vinamilk’s investment activities must demonstrate benefits not only for ourselves but also for our stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, and local communities.
Of course, there will be many unprecedented changes, and we don’t have to navigate them blindly. We can learn from the world, leverage technology, and most importantly, take the first step to begin our journey towards our destination.
Through your sustainable development journey, what message does Vinamilk want to convey to the community?
“We change for you” remains the message from the 10,000-strong Vinamilk family. We do it for our consumers. Vinamilk has achieved its current scale thanks to our consumers.
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Pioneering early investments in the production and supply of lightweight, sustainable construction materials, Saint-Gobain has achieved success and is ready to expand its ecosystem of these solutions to meet the potential market demand in Vietnam.
Vinamilk: Impressive nearly 20% growth in Q4/2023 export revenue
Vinamilk has announced its financial report for Q4 2023, recording a consolidated total revenue and after-tax profit of VND 15,630 billion and VND 2,351 billion, respectively. This represents an increase of 3.6% and 25.8% compared to the same period last year. For the full year, the consolidated total revenue and after-tax profit reached VND 60,479 billion and VND 9,019 billion, completing 95% of the revenue target and 105% of the profit target.
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