Experts: Vietnam needs to launch more green projects Duc Tam HCMC – The Government should promote green projects in the country as many big cities in Vietnam are pursuing the “smart city” development model, experts said at a conference on November 24. At the conference on “Sustainable building solutions towards a smart city” organized by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), experts said Vietnam should encourage the development of more green projects. Currently, the nation is home to 42 projects that have received green building certification. Green certification will be issued for those projects that apply the environmentally-friendly design, construction, and operation, and energy, water and material savings. Such buildings must have solutions to minimize waste and pollution, ensure health enhancement for occupants and improvement on the productivity of staff. Yannich Millet of the Vietnam Green Building Council said there are … [Read more...] about Experts: Vietnam needs to launch more green projects
Green projects
“Sony Green Project” 2007
After organising the “Sony Green Invention” awards for 7 consecutive years, Vietnam Sony Company has launched the contest, “Sony Green Project”, in order to apply “Sony Green Invention” ideas into production. “Sony Green Project” prizes are worth 100 million VND. This goes along with the 8 th “Sony Green Invention” award of 70 million VND. The contest focuses on using by-products and wastes from seafood and the agricultural processing industry to increase products’ values and reduce environmental pollution; and apply IT into communication about environmental protection. Entries are to be handed in from April 1 to July 20. Source: HNM Translated by Hoang Anh … [Read more...] about “Sony Green Project” 2007
Vietnam, US cooperate in green projects
(VEN) - The US Embassy in Vietnam together with the Ministry of Construction organized a workshop on green projects on April 16 in Hanoi. Minister of Construction Trinh Dinh Dung said that green projects are among proactive solutions for energy efficiency and coping with climate change in Vietnam and the world. Vietnam is rapidly urbanizing its 765 cities and towns, and about one million people become city dwellers per year. It is predicted that the urban population will increase to 52 million by 2015 accounting for 52 percent of the national population. For this reason, the demand for construction will increase rapidly, and it is vital to build green projects, treat waste and environmental pollution and ensure a fresh, nature-close living environment. US Ambassador to Vietnam David Shear said that green projects were ideal for developing countries as they would save energy and money and reduce green-house gas emission. The US has built a large number of international-standard … [Read more...] about Vietnam, US cooperate in green projects
Green projects need both incentives and enforcement
HCMC - The Government's preferential policies and enforcement should be among the factors to promote the application of green designs now that more and more high-rise buildings are developed in urban areas. Also, material price hike, environment protection and market demand have created a motivation for property investors to seek green designs to save energy in their buildings, said Kevin Hydes, general director of Integral Group Canada at the FuturArc Forum held in HCMC last Friday. However, despite many efforts, there are still obstacles due to the limited awareness of the community and the lack of connectivity from the design to the final completion of the project, said Hydes. In fact, more investment capital is needed in green projects and the return will last longer. Speaking on the sidelines of the seminar, Tran Dinh Thai, deputy director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment under the Ministry of Construction, said green designs offer energy … [Read more...] about Green projects need both incentives and enforcement
New tax law spurs green projects
More companies are expected to adhere to environmental standards, particularly in waste treatment, when the Law on Environmental Tax becomes effective on January 1. Packaged snacks being sold at Thanh Hoa Vinaconex supermarket. Companies are expected to reduce plastic packaging in response to the sharp rise in environmental tax upon plastic. (Photo: VNS) This year companies have started to pay more attention to waste treatment, with expenses increasing by 10 times for some kinds of waste, according to Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon). Under the new law, company expenses for environmental protection are expected to increase substantially. Plastic bags will be among the seven most heavily taxed products, at 15-17 per cent, which means VND30,000-50,000 (US$1.4-2.4) per kilogramme. This would affect both producers and consumers as there is no alternative material for plastic bag production, the newspaper reports. The impact on companies and producers not dependent … [Read more...] about New tax law spurs green projects