Takeda Vietnam and Gaia plant over 500 trees in Can Gio Biosphere Reserve

In partnership with the non-profit technical-scientific organisation Gaia Nature Conservation, Takeda Vietnam’s employees, families, and friends had the opportunity to discover and experience the nature of the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve.

This included learning about the adaptive strategies of mangrove trees and the various creatures that dwell in this forest, before donning garden gloves and wielding shovels to plant 500 young mangrove trees to help revegetate this location’s natural habitat.

Takeda Vietnam planted over 500 mangrove trees in the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve

Mangroves play an important role in human life. Considered the lungs of Ho Chi Minh City, the Gaia Nature Conservation hosts rich biodiversity, with more than 600 species of plants and animals, including many endangered and endemic species.

The forest plantation area originally belonged to the local people’s salt fields. When the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve was established in 2000, people emigrated, leaving bare salted land, which needed to be replanted.

In addition, due to the harsh conditions of the climate and soil in many of the reforested areas, a continuous effort to replant indigenous mangrove trees was required to sustainably transform the salt fields into forests.

As a responsible corporate citizen, Takeda Vietnam is doing its part in protecting the environment and reducing its environmental footprint

Katharina Geppert, country manager of Takeda Vietnam said, “Risks to our nature intensify risks to public health. As responsible corporate citizens, we have to do our part in protecting the environment and reducing our environmental footprint to fulfil our purpose of Better Health for People, Brighter Future for the World. With the wisdom gained from our rich, 240-year history, we think long-term as a company. Our obligation to environmental stewardship and sustainable business directly aligns with our values of Takeda-ism and our corporate philosophy, serving as a foundation for a sustainable business. We are very ambitious on the environmental front, and it is therefore important that all our employees are involved and motivated to help reach our targets and together with our partners, make a meaningful positive impact in the communities where we operate.”

Huyen Do, Gaia Nature Conservation’s CEO, said that Takeda’s community contribution helps make the municipality greener and preserve the natural environment.

“Forest trees will help protect residential areas from floods, erosion, and soil pollution. The planted forest creates habitats for wildlife species, strengthens O₂ generation and CO₂ absorption, and contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Mangrove forests also bring tremendous economic, educational, research, and recreational values to people,” Do said.

Takeda Vietnam sees the tree-planting initiative as a commitment to environmental sustainability

Takeda has been actively engaged in environmental sustainability for almost 50 years, since establishing an Environmental Protection Committee in 1970.

The approach is in line with the UN Sustainable Developments Goals and part of Takeda’s purpose. As part of the Carbon Neutrality Commitment, Takeda achieved carbon neutrality in its value chain since 2019 and is now aiming to become carbon zero in its operations by 2040 by eliminating all of its greenhouse gas emissions.