Sustainable development goals can only be achieved through government action and significant alliances with the collaboration of young people who have dreams for their communities.
A sustainable future begins with young people
With an open mind, creativity, and, most importantly, a spirit of action for a better society, Gen Z - the pioneers who bring positive and sustainable change to the community - has made a profound difference.
Aside from being deeply interested in social issues, the younger generation is always looking for ways to express themselves and contribute groundbreaking ideas to the challenges we face, particularly the environment. Young people are also enthusiastic about creative playgrounds, projects, and forums on the environment and sustainable development.
The SCGP Packaging Speak Out 2022 packaging design contest was recently featured by SCGP - the packaging business of SCG known for its pioneering solutions in consumer packaging. The contest quickly became a "green design" playground for Vietnamese youth, while also positively developing a creative student community in schools across the country. Hundreds of groundbreaking packaging solutions were demonstrated throughout the program's two seasons, thereby contributing to spreading the message of a green lifestyle within the community.
"Finding green ideas - healing the Earth" - another innovative playground that put ESG sustainable development standards at the forefront - quickly became the focal point of its first deployment in 2022. Many creative faces were revealed through the program, with a series of solutions contributing to climate change mitigation, plastic waste reduction, and other fields.
Nguyen Vu Nhu Quynh, a team member, is a scholar of the SCG Sharing the Dream scholarship, which supports thousands of talented students to overcome obstacles to reach their goals of contributing to society.
Along with young talents in the creative field, strong-minded students have a desire to devote themselves. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Han (Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University) and Le Thi Truc Quy (Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics) are two typical scholars of the SCG Sharing the Dream scholarship who were selected to attend the SCG Sharing the Dream ASEAN Camp 2019.
Not only did they have outstanding academic records, but they also shared a desire to make the community a better place. The two Vietnamese representatives shared their perspectives on specific issues confronting countries with more than 70 students from seven ASEAN countries.
"We are borrowing this planet from future generations, so let us be responsible for the actions of the present," Han and Quy said in front of over 1,000 international delegates from various fields at the symposium. "We must work together to achieve a common goal: sustainable development."
The desire to dedicate talents and join hands for a sustainable world also comes from the youth in disadvantaged communities. Not only is it a beneficiary of sustainable development, but it is also a special "resource" to contribute value to society. For many years now, recycling, garbage classification, and environmental protection have become a part of the learning process for students at Ba Ria-Vung Tau School for Disabled Children.
From the sharing session "Inspiration in silence" of typical individuals in the disabled community, to the opportunity to visit and learn from the practical experiences of social enterprises. Physical disabilities do not diminish the talent, creativity, and especially the spirit of dedication that young people with disabilities possess. That is what Le Quoc Hung, a hand weaver at Limloop, has demonstrated. Overcoming difficulties, Hung has found his way to become a useful citizen despite his disability, inspiring the disabled community on their journey to integrate into society.
Representatives of the school's students are also directly involved in the production process of recycled products from used plastic bags as part of the series of programs. "This experience not only makes me happy because I can contribute to creating good values for society," said Nguyen Anh Duy, a student at the school. "It also inspires me to define clearer goals for the future."
Efforts by hundred-year-old corporation
Numerous other programs demonstrate that the young generation is constantly raising awareness and responding to create a sustainable Vietnam. So, how do these young green shoots discover fertile soil to grow in? This is driven by businesses to accompany, connect, and empower the country's future generations.
With the sustainable strategy of ESG 4 Plus, SCG is constantly creating opportunities for all young people to join hands. From pioneering young people with creative talents to a generation of students who are constantly rising and even disadvantaged students. No one is left behind. All are strongly linked with long-term balanced values in all aspects of the environment, economy, and society.
To create a legal foundation and a strong policy system with strong goals, SCG has pioneered participation in public-private alliances and cooperates with the government and business sector in the country and the region. In the public-private sector and alliances, SCG linked up with 315 public-private alliances, and women's and youth organizations at the ESG Symposium 2022. The event contributed to promoting the action plan towards Net Zero, addressing global crises, and new solutions for sustainable development.
Cooperation with the governments of Vietnam and Thailand also recorded many important milestones. In June 2022, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment held a “Kick-off Conference to develop the Vietnam National Action Plan towards a Circular Economy" with the companionship of SCG and many businesses. With this roadmap, SCG is expected to invest up to VND47 trillion ($1.98 billion) for the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030.
At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in 2022, energy conversion solutions, biopolymers, and green construction were all discussed, which are the launch pads to respond to challenges in the long-term for a sustainable future.
Not only actively accompanying the government, the group is also a leading unit in the role of connecting businesses to establish a network of partners to share innovative financial models and green technology. In February 2023, the World Economic Forum officially established a business community to support the Just Energy Transition in Southeast Asia. In it, SCG and a Petronas consortium act as co-chairs, promoting the necessary actions to speed up this process fairly and inclusively.
Starting from a sustainable commitment, SCG has been building a solid foundation with multilateral cooperation from the government, departments, business partners, and the community. In response to this effort, SCG and its member companies have also recorded many outstanding achievements and won prestigious awards for sustainable development and ESG both domestically and internationally. These values not only contribute to the group's brand positioning but also inspire businesses to look towards a sustainable multi-industry future.