HÀ NỘI — With nearly 2.8 million office workers, Việt Nam can cut up to 6 per cent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by altering to green lifestyles and sustainable consumption, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Việt Nam reported on Thursday.

The conclusion follows an initiative entitled “Green Office – Low-carbon sustainable lifestyle in Việt Nam,” piloted at 11 different offices in Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng City and HCM City from May, 2017 to November, 2018 under the ten-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production.

The project is designed for office workers, aiming to reduce GHG emissions through limiting solid waste and the use of electricity, water, paper and stationery.

Guidance on green lifestyles and offices along with GHG emissions accounting tools were also developed based on the GHG Corporate Protocol. This document suggests workers take small steps including reducing food waste, using public transportation, telecommuting and carpooling to help protect the environment.

TUV Nord Việt Nam, a company in Hà Nội participating in the initiative, has reduced 25.8 per cent of their carbon consumption over the past year. The initiative, moreover, helps the company save VNĐ3-4 million (US$123-170) on their electricity bill per month by applying simple solutions such as increasing natural light or using fans along with air conditioners to help circulate air.

“The Green Office Initiative is suitable for offices of all sizes in Việt Nam and proved its efficiency applied at piloted offices. AIT-VN expects to expand the project and build recommendations for Việt Nam’s policies on environmental protection,” said Nguyễn Thị Bích Hoà, the project director.

Commitments of participants are the biggest challenges to the initiative.

“If officers see the benefits of the green office initiative to their companies, it will be better implemented,” she said.

“The results at pilot offices will be an important input for us, policymakers, to adjust policies in the near future to make it more consistent with the country’s green growth strategies,” said Nguyễn Tuấn Anh from the Ministry of Planning and Investment. — VNS