More and more Vietnamese businesses are realizing that emission reduction is no longer merely an encouraged trend, but is becoming a requirement in corporate governance and business operations. From greenhouse gas inventory regulations and ESG data transparency requirements to global supply chain standards, these factors are driving businesses to build sustainable development governance capabilities in a systematic manner.
This was also the key topic discussed at the workshop “Emission Reduction: Opportunities and Challenges for Businesses” organized by VietinBank with the participation of numerous businesses in Northern Vietnam, along with experts and organizations active in ESG, greenhouse gas inventory, carbon credits, and sustainable finance.
As an ESG advisory partner in VietinBank’s Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL) product ecosystem, CGS Vietnam participated in the program to share governance perspectives and accompany businesses on their green transition journey.
Green transition does not begin with technology or capital, but with governance capability
From the observations of CGS Vietnam’s expert team, most businesses are aware of the importance of ESG and emission reduction. However, the biggest challenge does not lie in understanding why they need to act, but in knowing where to start and how to implement it.
The workshop took place at a time when many businesses are facing simultaneous pressures from domestic regulations on greenhouse gas inventory and increasingly stringent requirements from customers, investors, and export markets. This shows that emissions data and ESG indicators are gradually becoming part of corporate competitiveness, rather than merely compliance requirements.
From an advisory perspective, CGS Vietnam believes that businesses need to view the development of an ESG governance system as a long-term process. Greenhouse gas inventory is not the final destination, but rather the foundation for businesses to understand their emissions status, identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, and gradually build an emission reduction roadmap aligned with their development strategy.
Emissions data is the foundation of every ESG strategy
One of the topics that attracted strong interest at the workshop was the session “New Requirements on Greenhouse Gas Inventory – What Should Businesses Pay Attention To?” presented by Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thai, CEO of EGP Vietnam.
The session updated participants on changes in the legal framework for greenhouse gas inventory, while also analyzing new requirements from international markets related to emissions data and ESG transparency. The greatest value of the session was not only regulatory updates, but also the message:
“Businesses need to build a reliable emissions data system before thinking about ESG targets.”
Through its advisory work, CGS has observed that many businesses still manage emissions data manually or in a fragmented manner across different departments. This makes data consolidation, verification, and reporting increasingly difficult as business operations expand.
Therefore, standardizing data, identifying material emission sources, and gradually improving the governance system is a more appropriate approach than attempting to implement everything at once from the beginning.
When ESG is connected with finance, businesses gain stronger motivation to transform
Another highlight of the workshop was VietinBank’s introduction of its Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL) product.
The value of this model lies not only in giving businesses access to capital under preferential conditions, but more importantly in creating motivation for sustainability goals to be translated into specific, measurable, and assessable governance indicators.
Within this ecosystem, CGS Vietnam serves as a governance and ESG advisor, supporting businesses in developing sustainability performance indicators (KPIs/SPTs), improving governance systems, and establishing roadmaps tailored to the characteristics of each industry. When combined with technology and financial solutions, businesses can implement ESG in a substantive way, rather than stopping at reporting activities.
Accompanying businesses on the journey to bring ESG into practice
The discussion and direct advisory sessions at the workshop showed that businesses have a strong demand for solutions that can be implemented immediately, from greenhouse gas inventory and ESG data development to access to green finance mechanisms.
For CGS Vietnam, this was also an opportunity to listen to the practical difficulties faced by businesses and continue refining advisory solutions suitable for each stage of development. Each business will have its own transition roadmap, but the starting point is always the development of a sufficiently strong governance foundation to adapt to market changes.
Vietnam officially launches domestic carbon credit exchange: A new driver for the green transition
In addition to the topics discussed at the workshop, an important market development also took place when, on June 29, 2026, Vietnam officially launched its domestic carbon credit exchange in accordance with the roadmap of the Government and regulatory authorities (Read more on: Chính thức vận hành sàn giao dịch carbon trong nước – VnEconomy).
This is an important milestone in the formation of Vietnam’s domestic carbon market, marking the transition from the preparation phase to the operation of an organized carbon market mechanism.
This event is considered a foundation for gradually establishing a carbon pricing mechanism, promoting carbon credit trading, and creating an additional market-based tool to help businesses reduce emissions in a more flexible and effective manner.
From a business perspective, the formation of the carbon market also means that emissions data, greenhouse gas inventory, and ESG governance systems will become increasingly connected with investment decisions, financial decisions, and competitiveness.
Therefore, the topics discussed at the workshop were not only regulatory updates, but also helped businesses prepare early for a context in which the carbon market is gradually entering into operation. Investing in standardized emissions data systems, enhancing ESG governance capabilities, and establishing an emission reduction roadmap from today will create a foundation for businesses to proactively adapt to future market mechanisms.
CGS Vietnam continues to accompany businesses on the sustainable development journey
With the mission of “Making every effort to bring ESG into business practice”, CGS Vietnam will continue to accompany VietinBank, EGP Vietnam, and partners in promoting sustainable governance, technology, and financial solutions.
We believe that when ESG is implemented through specific and measurable actions, businesses can not only meet compliance requirements but also build competitive advantages, improve access to capital, and create long-term value in the green economy.
Businesses and partners can follow the CGS Vietnam website for the latest professional insights, workshops, and solutions on ESG, greenhouse gas inventory, and corporate governance toward sustainable finance. If your business is developing a green transition roadmap, CGS Vietnam’s team of experts is always ready to accompany you.
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CGS Vietnam Governance Consulting Joint Stock Company provides specialized consulting solutions in Corporate Governance, Sustainable Development (ESG), Risk Management, and Internal Audit.
With a team of experienced experts and deep knowledge of international practices, CGS Vietnam accompanies businesses in building effective governance systems, enhancing management capabilities, meeting investor requirements, and moving toward sustainable growth.
Official information about CGS Vietnam is updated at: https://cgsvietnam.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cgs-vietnam
Hotline: (+84) 363 581 520
Email: [email protected]