Vietnam emphasizes using sustainable and green business practices for the country’s textile sector. Many major fashion and apparel brands worldwide are committed to prioritizing orders from businesses that meet the environmentally friendly production and resource-saving criteria. They will gradually cancel orders from firms that do not improve production safety and the environment. This information was conveyed at a seminar entitled “Renewable energy – a clean and sustainable energy source for Vietnam’s textile and garment industry” arranged by the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and businesses operating in the field of renewable energy.
In charge of Puma’s garment and backpack management in Vietnam, Nguyen Viet Dung said that Puma has dozens of suppliers in Vietnam. The company has mapped out a specific plan for sustainable development and emission reduction in Vietnam as it also puts safe production, environment, and consumers as the priority. Therefore, Puma always encourages and supports manufacturers to develop roadmaps to continue sustainable development, reduce CO2 emissions and improve product quality. Puma always shares the updated needs of buyers and consumers among suppliers so that the latter can adapt accordingly. Besides, depending on the capabilities of each supplier, Puma has a specific development roadmap for them.
At the seminar, Tran Nhu Tung, head of the Sustainable Development Department of VITAS, quoted data from organizations such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, IFC, USAID, saying that the power consumption of Vietnam’s textile and garment industry each year is around US$3 billion. In 2021, Vietnam’s textile and garment export turnover were US$40.47 billion. Nevertheless, the cost of electricity accounted for 7.5%. According to Tung, if electricity is used more efficiently apart from using renewable energy products, the textile and garment industry can save US$1 billion a year, in addition to reducing other production costs.
Furthermore, it is necessary to reduce resource consumption and textile waste by implementing cleaner and resource-efficient production methods and industrial symbiosis methods. Businesses should increase solar energy and other renewable energy sources that are more efficient and environmentally friendly. VITAS targets that by 2030, the textile and garment industry in Vietnam will become the top destination for buyers who want to look for a sustainable source of textile products that are not harmful to the environment and consumers. Pakistan should also learn from Vietnam’s green business initiative, and industries should shift towards green energy to save Pakistan from increasing pollution and its consequences.
