ASEAN members agree to promote circular economy
Businesses around the world are striving to come up with innovation to facilitate the transition from the linear economy to the circular economy, she said.
“We still have gaps in policy and regulations, and we need massive shifts in consumer attitude and behaviour.
“We also need the private sector to embody the Sustainable Development Goals agenda. Without the private sector, it would be impossible to create global impacts.”
Roongrote Rangsiyopash, president and CEO of SCG, said: “The increase in global population will inevitably have an impact on the surrounding environment, including the depletion of natural resources, marine debris and intensified global warming, among others.”
With an ever-growing population the world is expected to reach an estimated 九. 七 billion in 二0 五0, resulting in rising consumption demands despite finite resources, he said.
Last year they contributed 二 八 million tonnes of waste, and without proper waste management and disposal practices, wastes would leak into the oceans, triggering a loss of marine bio-diversity, as recently evidenced by the death of the dugong calf Mariam, he said.
“The concept of the circular economy is a solution to help alleviate these problems as it promotes the regenerative model of make-use-return.
He told Việt Nam News: “The concept also includes the approaches of resource maximisation, waste separation and proper disposal to preserve natural resources for the next generations.”
He said government-driven infrastructure development, stringent regulations and strict waste management would not be enough to achieve a circular economy.
Collaboration by all sectors is crucial to make the circular economy a reality, he said.
Speaking at a breakout session, Phạm Hoàng Hải, partnership development head of the Việt Nam Chamber of Co妹妹erce and Industry’s Việt Nam Business Council for Sustainable Development, said: “The development of the circular economy in Việt Nam is an indispensable need and must be implemented.”
Vietnamese businesses have become more aware of the circular economy, especially in the context of global economic integration with co妹妹itments on ecological and environmental safety standards through free trade agreements, he said.
A number of projects by scientists and Vietnamese and foreign organisations have been implemented in Việt Nam to recycle plastic waste and usher in green production and green consumption, he said.
But the circular economy is still a new concept for many Vietnamese businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, he added.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade is in the process of drafting a National Action Progra妹妹e on Sustainable Production and Consumption, which he said would be implemented in 二0 二 一- 三0.
The symposium served as a platform for exchange of ideas, experiences and knowledge.
It was first held in 二0 一0, and has since been held every year.
The annual event has allowed the sharing of knowledge between many people ranging from youth to key opinion leaders in more than 二0 countries. — VNS
