Hanoi (VNA) – More than 100 outstanding firms were honoured at the CSI awards ceremony on November 29, reflecting Vietnam's robust shift toward green development.
CSI 2024, themed "Businesses Rising in the Green Era," marked the ninth edition of the CSI programme, organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in coordination with various ministries and agencies.
Commitment to sustainable development
VCCI Chairman and CSI 2024 Steering Committee Head Pham Tan Cong said the programme aims to recognise businesses excelling in sustainable practices, aligning with government directives. He added that the programme utilises the index as a key evaluation framework.
This year’s programme attracted a diverse network of nearly 500 companies nationwide. Following rigorous screening, 142 finalists were selected. Within the selected businesses, 62% were domestic firms, and 35% were first-time participants. These figures underscore growing awareness and commitment to sustainable development among Vietnamese businesses.
Cong suggested businesses reform operations toward creative, humane, and sustainable models, in order to contribute to social progress and prosperity.
Enterprises pursue sustainable business models that develop stronger resilience to challenges, and are better positioned to seize global opportunities that are often based on a measure of sustainability.
With 153 criteria, including 62% compliance-based and 38% advanced indicators, CSI 2024 provides a comprehensive evaluation of businesses across multiple aspects - economic efficiency, corporate administration, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability.
Notably, CSI 2024 includes more quantitative metrics than in previous years, covering net revenue from climate-impacting activities and investments in sustainability-related plans. While these metrics demand greater efforts, they enable businesses to review resource allocation for sustainable growth.
Progress by domestic firms
The awards spotlighted 100 exemplary companies in manufacturing and trade-service sectors, with the top 10 seeing a balanced representation of domestic and foreign-invested firms. This reflects the progress of Vietnamese enterprises in sustainability—a domain once dominated by FDI firms.
In addition to the main categories, honours were also presented for business initiatives in the circular economy and greenhouse gas reduction, and companies fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Nguyen Quang Vinh, VCCI Vice Chairman and Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD) Chairman, underscored the crucial role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices in strengthening inner resilience. He also introduced the "CSI Club," a platform for awardees to share experiences, furthering sustainable business practices.
The success of CSI 2024 was bolstered by key partners, including Nestlé Vietnam, Coca-Cola Vietnam, British American Tobacco Vietnam, and SABECO. Established in 2010 under government approval, VBCSD serves as a vital bridge between businesses, State management agencies, and international organisations./.
