Rallying community actions for the environment

By Van Nam and Thuy Trieu in HCMC HSBC staff grow a tree in Cat Tien National Forest. The bank grew a total of 3,400 trees last month - Photo: Courtesy of HSBC ANZ Vietnam and HSBC Vietnam are the two foreign-invested banks in Vietnam that have in recent years been pioneering to carry out many programs to save on energy, water and paper materials during their banking activities as practical commitments for a cleaner environment. The two banks have in common the core approach: rallying community actions for environment protection. Their efforts have seen a positive response, especially from their staff. At ANZ Vietnam, each of the staff members has been engaged to the common commitment to save 5% of energy and clean water, and 10% of discharged waste and paper for use each year. The small but meaningful actions for saving on energy and office supplies are considered part of ANZ’s efforts to choke off the worsening environment pollution resulting from the excessive exploitation of natural resources in recent years both domestically and internationally. Besides, ANZ Vietnam is also carrying out training courses for its staff who are in charge of clients relationship to offer their clients more knowledge about environment protection. The bank’s management says it bases most of its decisions about banking activities on thinking about the effects to the surrounding environment. In fact, ANZ Vietnam even goes farther in environment protection by prioritizing those clients whose projects have the least impact on the environment. The bank always appraises the environmental and social impacts of its clients’ business projects carefully before approving any loans. Those projects of ANZ’s clients that are built on policies for saving on water and energy will be prioritized. Meanwhile, at HSBC Vietnam, at least three programs are being implemented to encourage its employees and clients to be more aware of saving on electricity, clean water and paper as practical actions to cope with the negative impacts of climate change. For the first program, HSBC Vietnam encourages its clients to accept using e-statements on their banking accounts instead of paper documents so that it can help saving on the amount of paper. If any client accepts using e-statements on his banking account, then his or her name will be engraved onto a tree planted at Cat Tien National Forest as an acknowledgment for the client’s contribution to environment protection. This is part of a three-phase project executed by HSBC to grow 22.5 hectares of forest in Cat Tien. The project’s first phase has been completed with 3,400 trees planted. Once complete, the 25.5 hectares of forest is expected to be able to absorb over 150 tons of carbon dioxide per year, and will also provide a natural habitat for numerous animal and bird species and help maintain the diversity of the area’s ecosystem. In addition, a lot of young trees at this forest inscribed with thousands of the names of HSBC’s clients are also vivid illustrations for practical actions for a green future of a banking institution. This “e-statement – to – afforestation” will also be an encouragement for other service and industrial enterprises here in Vietnam to rethink their business activities for a more sustainable community, according to HSBC Vietnam. The bank says that this good idea for saving on power, paper and at the same time growing more trees has been casually put forward by its own staff. HSBC Vietnam lays emphasis on raising the awareness of its staff in environment protection. The bank HSBC Vietnam was successful in encouraging 90% of its local staff to bike to work on Environment Day on June 5 this year. To germinate for more excellent ideas for a cleaner environment, HSBC Vietnam promises to spend some US$5,000 on each project initiated by the bank’s staff for environment protection. HSBC has held a contest for all staff having practical plans contributing to cleaner environment, education, and community in Vietnam where HSBC operates. As of Thursday, some projects are under consideration for implementation such as classifying and reprocessing wastes, and growing trees in Danang City. The bank this year also cooperates with three primary schools to give the so-called ‘diary’ for pupils to take memorable notes whenever they have any action of saving utilized water. It is also seeking other primary schools to expand this activity next year.  Asked why the banks launched many programs focusing on environmental protection this year, Tom Tobin, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, says that the bank wants its staff to be aware of the importance of environment protection first. “We believe that it’s important to raise awareness about environmental issues among our own staff first. Once they have a thorough understanding and knowledge of the key issues we are all facing, each one of them can act as a green ambassador, spreading the message and calling their friends, family members, relatives and customers to action.” Last year, HSBC targeted its staff specifically when implementing environmental initiatives and didn’t roll out many projects within the general community. This year, the bank plans to launch many different environmental projects for the public. Those projects are initiatives developed by the bank’s staff, all of whom are highly enthusiastic and determined to make those projects connect with and work for their own community. The Saigon Times Daily