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Hitachi Energy Vietnam celebrated World Environment Day 2023
Over one year, a mature tree will take up about 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and in exchange release oxygen1. Meanwhile, global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and cement have hit a new record high of 36.6bn tonnes of CO2 (GtCO2) in 20222. Actions must be taken, either big or small!
On this occasion, Hitachi Energy Vietnam organized various activities focusing on Hitachi Energy’s three environmental areas: Carbon Neutrality, Circularity, Ecosystem protection & Biodiversity, as well as in line with UN SDGs on Planet.
Towards carbon neutrality
The tree planting event aimed at contributing a small part towards the carbon neutral goal and showing our commitment to Hitachi Energy’s Sustainability 2030. Seventy two trees were planted in Tien Son Industrial Zone, where our factories are located.
In his opening speech, Chandan Singh, Country Managing Director emphasized Hitachi Energy’s efforts in pursuing United Nation’s SDGs and investing in green certificates to offset all our CO2 emission from electricity purchases. He said: “This resulted in the reduction of more than 50% of CO2 emissions in our own operations compared to 2019. Further, we are taking specific steps while building our new transformer factory to be as energy efficient as possible striving achieve LEED gold certificate”.
Representing Embassy of Sweden, Ola Karlman, First Secretary Head of Trade Promotion, Economic and Political Affairs praised that: “Hitachi Energy has transformed not only the world’s energy system but also the livelihood of surrounding areas where its factories located. Through its operation here in Bac Ninh, Hitachi Energy continues to provide solutions for the energy transition in Vietnam and really show its commitment to shape a sustainable future for Vietnam and the world”.
As a guest speaker, Dr. Vo Huu Cong (Vice Dean of Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam National University of Agriculture) shared the meaning and impact of tree planting to the environment. His awareness session was short but very inspiring, which added more motivation to our plans for activities in the future.
Nearly 40 Hitachi Energy employees and guests planted the total of 72 trees (terocarpus macrocarpus) in the allocated green area, about 3km away from our Hight Voltage Products Factory.
Embracing Circularity, Ecosystem protection & Biodiversity
As part of World Environment Day 2023, we also focused on recycling and ecosystem protection via “5S your work corner” contest and a swapping event, where employees were encouraged to donate their used items (batteries, clothes, toys, books). 5S winners and donors were awarded tokens which they could exchange for gifts including DIY plant kits or used items donated by their own colleagues. This activity helped demonstrate how wrongly disposing batteries can be damaging and the correct process for disposal. Many also acknowledged that “adopting” other people’s old items were a great idea, as “One man's trash is another man's treasure”.
Within five days, we collected nearly 2,000 used batteries, 150 clothing items, 5 pairs of shoes, 40 toys, 100 books across the offices in four locations.
On this occasion, we also kicked off the removal of plastic bottles and single use cups in the office, replacing them with glass bottles and ceramic mugs. These are our small steps among others while we are heading to a longer term of building sustainability mindset in the company and advancing a sustainable future for all.
#WorldEnvironmentday #BeatPlasticPollution #ProudtobeHitachiEnergy