The Future of Sustainable Growth: Insights from the Sustainable Development 2025 Conference
On November 27, 2023, the Sustainable Development 2025 Conference took place in Hanoi, marking a pivotal moment in the global discourse surrounding environmental responsibility and economic growth. One of the standout speakers was Larry Lee Chio Lim, the deputy general director of SABECO, who articulated a profound realization: the transformations underway today will distinctly shape which industries and enterprises will lead the next era of growth.
The Surge of Green Industries and Sustainable Finance
Globally, sustainable finance and green industries are burgeoning, rapidly becoming key pillars of competitiveness across various sectors. The sustainable finance market was valued at an astonishing $5.87 trillion in 2024, while the green economy reached $7.9 trillion by early 2025. This substantial growth signifies that nearly 9% of the world’s listed equity markets are now tied to environmentally responsible companies, which are witnessing a prevailing flow of capital as investors increasingly prioritize credible environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
Consumer preferences are concurrently shifting, with research from PwC indicating that shoppers are willing to pay almost 10% more for sustainable products. These findings indicate a fundamental change in priorities, where nearly half of consumers are actively reducing their environmental footprint, pushing businesses to integrate sustainability into their core operations.
Vietnam’s Strategic Alignment with Global Trends
Vietnam, positioning itself at the forefront of this global sustainability wave, has made significant commitments through its net zero goals, the National Green Growth Strategy, and Power Development Plan VIII. This transition is crucial for Vietnamese enterprises, which must navigate this evolving landscape to thrive.
Among various sectors, the industrial landscape, particularly fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and food & beverages (F&B), plays a critical role, accounting for over 50% of national energy consumption. These industries, often dubbed “locomotive enterprises” by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, have profound influences over energy use, emissions, and packaging waste, making their sustainable transformation essential.
The Pivotal Role of SABECO
SABECO, a 150-year-old icon in the Vietnamese beverage sector, is navigating this shifting terrain with significant initiatives toward sustainability. As Lim stated, sustainability is no longer a mere branding exercise, but a necessity for market access, capital acquisition, and talent attraction. Remarkably, SABECO’s sustainability progress is broad and connected to national outcomes.
Recent achievements reflect this commitment: the company reports 40.54% renewable energy usage in production, a 9.3% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, and a 7.3% improvement in water intensity. Furthermore, SABECO has diverted 64.22% of waste from disposal and transitioned to 100% recyclable or reusable primary packaging.
A Comprehensive Transformation Model
SABECO’s approach comprises five interconnected levers that drive its sustainability agenda. These include energy decarbonization through solar expansion and biomass, circular packaging initiatives aimed at maximizing resource recovery, and water stewardship that emphasizes responsible resource management. The company has also equipped its governance framework with a focus on transparency and community resilience. As Lim emphasized, the essence of sustainability lies in making it systemic.
Notably, SABECO’s energy transformation illustrates a harmonious relationship between sustainability and efficiency. In 2024, the company generated 7,843 MWh of clean electricity through rooftop solar installations, while biomass boilers helped avoid over 7,400 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Additionally, energy efficiency upgrades have contributed to an 8% reduction in electricity intensity.
Water Stewardship Amidst Climate Challenges
As a primary ingredient in brewing, water conservation is critical for SABECO. Recognizing Vietnam’s growing water stress, the company has initiated several proactive measures, achieving a 7.3% reduction in water intensity and a 5.7% decrease in total water withdrawal. Furthermore, SABECO implemented rainwater harvesting systems and achieved complete compliance in wastewater management.
The company employs advanced mapping techniques to assess water risks, allowing for informed investments in drought-prone regions, ensuring both operational resilience and community well-being.
Pioneering Circular Packaging Solutions
Packaging undoubtedly presents one of the FMCG sector’s greatest environmental challenges, yet it also embodies significant opportunities for circular economy initiatives. SABECO has taken the lead in implementing fully recyclable or reusable primary packaging, achieving notable returns on glass bottle consumption and reducing aluminum usage by 15% since 2019. The goal is clear: to foster a system where materials are perpetually viewed as resources instead of waste.
The Larger Picture: Transforming Vietnam’s Economic Landscape
Vietnam’s transition to a green economy heavily relies on high-energy-consuming and influential sectors. SABECO’s strategic sustainability transformation serves as a blueprint for how legacy enterprises can leverage their scale to propel national progress. This initiative exemplifies how green manufacturing not only fulfills environmental obligations but also bolsters competitiveness, instills investor confidence, and enables smoother integration into the global market.
As companies like SABECO illustrate, embracing sustainability in its most integrated form can make transformation inevitable, steering both industry and economy toward a more sustainable future.