BAT Vietnam - BAT Vietnam to be recognised Top 10 most sustainable businesses in Vietnam 2024 for the first time

BAT Việt Nam lần đầu tiên thuộc Top 10 doanh nghiệp bền vững nhất Việt Nam 2024

British American Tobacco (BAT) Vietnam is honored as one of the Top 10 sustainable businesses in Vietnam for the first time at the CSI 100 Awards 2024. Furthermore, the company was placed in Top 5 Pioneering Companies in Adopting and Implementing Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Values. BAT Vietnam also officially issues the Vietnam Sustainability Report 2023, continuing to affirm its pioneering position in the industry in implementing Environment, Society and Governance (ESG).

The first recognition ever in Top 10 most sustainable businesses

This is the 9^th year that the Programme for Benchmarking and Announcing Sustainable Companies in Vietnam (as known as CSI 100), has been co-organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) through the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.

This year marks a significant breakthrough for BAT Vietnam at CSI 100 as the company is named one of 10 sustainable businesses in Vietnam for the first time after six previous appearances on this prestigious and highly regarded list. Previously in 2023, the company reached the Top 11.

Giving a speech at the award ceremony, Ms. Do Hoang Anh, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, said: “Being recognized as one of Top 10 most sustainable businesses in Vietnam is a tremendous honor for BAT Vietnam. This is a testament to our strong commitment and concrete results in implementing the sustainable development programme in Vietnam. This programme aligns not only with BAT Group’s priorities but also with the sustainability goals set by the Vietnamese government, positively contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Sustainable development is not just a short-term goal. It is a long-term vision and commitment, and represents how we shape the future of BAT in Vietnam”.

Achieving Top 10 at CSI 100 is a collective effort of the entire BAT Vietnam team in all three areas of environment, society and governance.

Environmental management and protection initiatives are significantly highlighted. BAT Vietnam minimizes the environmental impact of its operations and business activities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its operational chain (scope 1 and 2) and value chain (scope 3). The company also actively contributes to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems as well as CO₂ sequestration in the natural environment to tackle climate change through the afforestation programme in cooperation with GAIA Nature Conservation Center.

Aiming for the target of zoning and regenerating 120 hectares of mudflats in Ca Mau into mangrove forests after six years and foresting four hectares in Dong Nai Province in three years 2022, 2023 and 2024, it is this year that BAT Vietnam has fully delivered this commitment. At the same time, year 2024 has witnessed the emergence and growth of over 220,000 saplings - each approximately 1.2 to 1.5 meters tall - in two areas zoned in 2022 and 2023. With a long-term commitment, the company will continue to coordinate with GAIA to enhance care and support activities, ensuring the saplings thrive into mature forests, fully covering all 120 hectares of mudflats with mangroves by 2030.

In addition, within the framework of the CSI 100 Awards, BAT Vietnam is also placed in the Top 5 Pioneering Companies in Adopting and Implementing Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Values.

“We embrace diversity and inclusion to build a rewarding and motivational workplace for our employees while creating value for communities where we are operating”, said Ms. Hoang Anh.

One of the positive results in promoting diversity and inclusion among BAT Vietnam’s workplace is 46% female representation in management roles.  

Besides, the company also supports the community and society by improving the livelihoods of farmers in growing areas, providing essential goods to underprivileged households, and notably the “Women’s Empowerment" programme in collaboration with Women's Unions in Duc Hue and Tan Thanh districts in Long An Province.

Specifically, through the local Women's Unions, this program has provided interest-free loans to underrepresented women in border areas who lack stable employment and face precarious living conditions. This initiative enables these women to get access to financial resources for farming, livestock raising, small business running…, helping them improve their incomes and enhance living conditions for themselves and their families. The programme also contributes to improving the status of women in the family and society, aligning with SDG 5 - Gender Equality. Since 2022, the programme has supported 136 women, positively impacting the lives of over 540 people in the Duc Hue and Tan Thanh districts of Long An Province.

BAT Vietnam is also committed to operating with the highest standards of corporate governance, valuing ethics and integrity, reaffirming the reciprocal relationship between business growth and sustainability.