 |
| Green e-commerce is currently a vital trend. (Photo: Tapchitaichinh) |
Green E-commerce is currently a vital trend because businesses and consumers alike recognize the importance of environmentally friendly products and services.
According to Mr. Do Thang Hai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Vietnamese e-commerce is experiencing a period of 10 years of brilliant development. Vietnam is ranked in the group of 10 countries with the world's leading e-commerce growth rate (as of December 2023, according to Statista). The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that in 2024, e-commerce will still be a modern and convenient shopping channel chosen by young people and consumers. Accordingly, this type of shopping continues to maintain a growth rate of 18-20%/year.
However, the rapid growth of e-commerce has been posing many challenges to the environment. In the field of online retail, the delivery stage, such as vehicles running on the road, emits a large amount of carbon emissions; or the packaging of goods using nylon bags, bubble wrap and disposable plastic items has had a significant impact on the environment. "Therefore, optimizing transportation costs not only helps businesses cut costs but also contributes significantly to reducing emissions from transportation activities," said Ms. Le Hoang Oanh, Director of the Department of Trade.
Research by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company also clearly show that optimizing shipping activities in e-commerce such as reducing the travel distance of delivery vehicles, using recycled and friendly materials for packaging goods will contribute to cutting 30-40% of emissions in this field.
In fact, facing fierce competition between platforms, e-commerce businesses have also deployed many creative solutions to reduce negative impacts on the environment and cut their own costs.
The race to "green" services
Mr. Vu Duc Thinh, Logistics Director of Lazada Vietnam, said the group was committed to building a sustainable, responsible business, as well as controlling environmental impacts such as Green Delivery, LazEarth and innovation on packaging as well as releasing the handbook "Effective, environmentally friendly packaging" to help partners reduce plastic waste in their products and packaging.
 |
| Lazada uses electric vehicles in delivery. (Photo: Dantri) |
According to Mr. Thinh, currently, businesses implementing green criteria are completely self-oriented and self-implemented. There is no specific standard for evaluation, leading to a lack of uniformity. In addition, administrative procedures and paperwork must go through many steps.
“The government and agencies need to set specific criteria and standards to develop e-commerce and green logistics. This will be the basis for businesses to implement and easily synchronize standards in the management process," said Mr. Thinh.
Mr. Phan Trong Le, Director of Research and Brand Development of Vietnam Post, said that in recent times, Vietnam Post has made efforts and taken measures to minimize negative impacts on the environment to achieve sustainable balance towards all three goals: economic, social and environmental.
“We always use glass water bottles instead of plastic bottles, and encourage employees to plant trees in office premises and service points. In addition, we also focus on utilizing recycled materials, waste products and by-products during the production and transportation process," said Mr. Le.
Ms. Dang Thi Thuy Trang, Director of External Relations of Grab Vietnam, mentioned the development of a multi-service ecosystem. For example, with a GrabBike driver, they not only participate in passenger transportation services but can also participate in good and food delivery services, contributing to reducing emissions into the environment.
Sustainable e-commerce involves optimizing energy use. This includes using renewable energy sources to power data centers and warehouses, and implementing energy-efficient logistics to minimize environmental impact.
Green e-commerce emphasizes the importance of choosing ethical suppliers. This means suppliers that adhere to sustainable practices, ensuring that products are produced responsibly and have minimal environmental impact.
The circular economy model is gaining traction in e-commerce, focusing on reusing and recycling products and materials, thereby reducing waste and extending product life cycles.
Sustainable practices in e-commerce not only benefit the environment but also influence consumer behavior. Customers increasingly prefer brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility.
One of the most important steps towards green e-commerce is adopting environmentally friendly packaging solutions. Biodegradable, compostable and recyclable materials are becoming the norm, reducing the carbon footprint and waste associated with online shopping.
The potential for green e-commerce in 2024 is huge, with sustainable practices playing a key role in shaping the future of online shopping. Businesses that apply “Green E-commerce” can see a positive impact not only on the environment but also on their customers and brand value./.