VinaCapital publishes first ESG report

According to Don Lam, CEO and founding partner of VinaCapital Group, VinaCapital recognise the importance of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda, and has set out a mission to fully incorporate it into its business and culture.

At VinaCapital, a responsible investment policy for listed companies was developed several years ago, and it defines how ESG issues are incorporated into the investment decision-making process.

VinaCapital also collaborates with its investee companies and helps them improve their ESG application capacity in a number of ways, including liaising with them to push for the establishment of clear strategies and encouraging the implementation of new initiatives.

VinaCapital has also created an internal ESG rating system and has completed ESG assessments for 112 businesses in 10 different sectors within the company's portfolio.

VinaCapital cooperates with prominent energy companies such as GS Energy and EDF Renewables to invest in clean and renewable energy projects such as solar, onshore and offshore wind, liquefied natural gas, biomass, and hydrogen to minimise the negative impacts on the environment and contribute to realising Vietnam's commitment to achieving net-zero by 2050.

In the real estate sector, VinaCapital applies sustainable design techniques and pursues the World Bank and IFC's EDGE green building certifications to save the energy, water, and other resources that are used in producing construction materials.

In terms of venture capital, VinaCapital prioritises investing in startups that can bring breakthrough developments to address environmental and sustainability issues, enhancing the operational efficiency of Vietnam's key economic sectors.

It is also a founding member of the Institute for Circular Economy Development that supports and promotes environmental and sustainable economic development initiatives.

Regarding its internal operations, VinaCapital has gradually established ESG as a culture in the daily lives of all its staff.

“Corporate social responsibility initiatives have been a cornerstone of VinaCapital almost since the day we started the company 20 years ago. We have always felt that we have a duty to help Vietnam’s vulnerable and less fortunate communities and ensure they have opportunities to participate in the rapid economic development the country has been enjoying,” Lam said.

VinaCapital started the VinaCapital Foundation in 2006, and it is now one of the leading non-governmental organisations focusing on health and education for Vietnamese children and women from poor families – thanks to the generous support from corporate and individual donors in Vietnam and around the world.

Over the past 17 years, the VinaCapital Foundation's sustainable development programmes have saved the lives of more than 10,000 children with congenital heart disease in Vietnam, benefiting millions of people both directly and indirectly.

VinaCapital's ESG report once again confirms the organisation’s commitment to being a responsible investor and continually working to contribute to Vietnam's socioeconomic development. In recognition of these longstanding efforts, in 2022, VinaCapital was honoured as the Most Responsible Investor for its pioneering ESG activities with the Pacific Basin Economic Council.

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