Eco-activists discuss pollution

HAI PHONG — Environmental experts and representatives from Ha Noi businesses gathered to discuss how to reduce environmental pollution and minimise production costs.

Participants debated various solutions during the three-day Public Disclosure of Environmental Information workshop, co-hosted by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the World Bank (WB) in Do Son early this week.

Workshop organisers centred the event around a proposed 54-enterprise pilot project aimed at creating an enterprise rating system and strengthening institutional capacity for environmental information management.

The US$300,000 pro-ject, funded by the World Bank, focuses on monitoring and assessing foodstuff, dying, textile and classifying plants based on waste water level. Project organisers plan to help local enterprises better access new managerial skills and environmental protection activities.

According to Tran Van Nham, a representative from the Clean Production Centre under the Polytechnic University, 13 enterprises relating to production of paper, dying, textile and foodstuff participated in his centre’s pilot test to cut production costs at least US$769,000 and reduce a considerable amount of waste water and greenhouse effects.

For instance, Viet Tri Paper Mill saved $159,000 per year in production costs, increased production capacity by 18 per cent, eliminated 550,000 cu. metre of waste water per year and decreased greenhouse gas output by 330 tonnes.

Although cleaner production has helped participating ventures cut production costs, most eligible enterprises could not volunteer for the project due to a lack of funds, Nham added.

World Bank officials want to boost environmental information management and strengthen national capacity for development and management of environmental information systems.

The latest report from the WB revealed that 98 per cent of HCM City enterprises want to invest more in reducing pollution and raising compliance with regulations. Some 39 per cent wanted to have their name in the so-called "Black Book," because they would be eligible for governmental assistance.

Industry analysts say that public disclosure of environmental information is crucial to environmental protection. — VNS

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