VinFast, a homegrown electric vehicle manufacturer, joined the Climate Pledge earlier this week, becoming the first Vietnamese enterprise to participate in the global commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The climate pledge, founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019, is a commitment for cross-sector companies, businesses, and organizations to take collective action on the climate crisis. It aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions ten years earlier than the Paris Agreement.
More than 375 enterprises in 34 countries have shown support for the initiative so far. Tech giant IBM and Microsoft and luxury automotive brand Mercedes-Benz are also among the signatories.
Being part of The Climate Pledge reinforces a company’s commitment to sustainability and demonstrates how it is taking action.
“This commitment will be a platform for positive activities and important changes and demonstrate VinFast’s commitment to the environment,” said Le Thi Thu Thuy, vice chairwoman of Vingroup and CEO of VinFast Global.
“It is also an opportunity for us to engage in discussion on important global issues, motivating individuals and communities to continue their efforts for a greener and more sustainable future.”
VinFast has been aggressively pushing for the use of electric vehicles in Vietnam and beyond. It had just started handing the first 100 units of its all-electric sport utility vehicles to local customers this month. The Vietnamese company officially debuted in the American market in November last year and is set to open its $2 billion manufacturing facility in North Carolina in July 2024.
As part of its climate pledge, VinFast will “strictly measure and report greenhouse emissions regularly, implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations,” it said in a statement. The Vietnamese automaker added that it would make efficiency improvements, use renewable energy in its facilities and aim for material reductions.
“Vinfast has committed themselves to creating a future of conscious transport, and we are excited to collaborate with them and 375+ signatories of The Pledge to turn the climate crisis into climate action,” said Sarah Dimson-Tarauj, head of programs and partnerships of The Climate Pledge.
VinFast has already been building optimal processes to reduce emissions and conserve or reuse water and energy in its auto production. Sustainability standards are also requirements and evaluation criteria of VinFast for partners and suppliers.
In a partnership with Ahamove, VinFast also recently launched Vietnam’s first-ever electric bike-based delivery service. The two firms plan to put 10,000 e-bikes into operation by 2025, gradually replacing gasoline-powered motorbikes that contribute to air pollution.