APO training course on green productivity

Post date: Tuesday, Oct 31, 2023 | 16:58 - View count: 334

Within the framework of the cooperation with the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), from October 30, 2023 – October 11, 2023, the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality and APO jointly organized a Traing Course on Green Productivity with the participation of 24 delegates from businesses, state agencies, universities, research institutes,etc, from 20 APO member economies.

The course was attended by leading experts in the field of green productivity from Vietnam and internationally including Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, Acting General Director, STAMEQ; Dr. Nguyen Tung Lam, Acting Director of Vietnam National Productivity Institute (VNPI); Mr. Kelvin Chan Keng Chuen, Director of Teian Consulting International; Mr. Alex Yap Yun Fung, Director of EcoLean Coónultancy. The training course was held in Da Nang city.

Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, Acting General Director, STAMEQ.

Green Productivity (GP) is a concept that evolved to address the growing concern of consumers and stakeholders of business communities. Alarmed by ever-increasing negative impacts of development activities on the environment, society has started demanding environment-friendly goods, processes, and services. To address that demand, the APO developed the concept of GP as a strategy for enhancing productivity while improving environmental performance. It is the application of appropriate productivity and environmental management tools, techniques, and technologies to reduce the environmental impact of organization’s activities, goods, and services. GP aims to ensure environmental protection while making business profitable. GP recognizes that the environment and development are two sides of the same coin. For any development strategy to be sustainable, it needs to have a focus on quality, profitability, and the environment, referred to as the triple focus of GP. 

In Vietnam, the country has made notable progress toward sustainable green growth, actively contributing to addressing the global climate crisis. Initiatives such as the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021–30 with a vision for 2050, the National Strategy on Climate Change, and the COP26 commitment to achieve global net- zero emissions by 2050 highlight the country’s dedication to environmental sustainability.

Ensuring a sustainable future and achieving net-zero emissions are paramount for a cleaner, more resilient environment. In his presentation, Dr. Ha Minh Hiep noted that by combining circular economy (CE) methods and the APO’s Green Productivity (GP) concept offers a comprehensive approach to mitigating the adverse environmental impacts of industries, while enhancing productivity and strengthening resilience against future challenges.

This workshop aims to Broaden the knowledge base on strengthening the triple bottom lines of enterprises; introduce applications and approaches to implement the APO Green Productivity (GP) framework for cleaner, greener industrialization; and equip participants with the competency to become APO-certified GP Specialists.

The workshop is an opportunity for stakeholders to share their roles and impacts in applying green productivity in the circular economy, and together find solutions to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Anh Vũ