Green future builders: Pioneers in carbon neutrality

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the agriculture and environment sector, VAN News launches a special series titled “Green future builders”, highlighting the efforts, principles, models, and best practices of enterprises in their journey toward greening operations. These stories stand as concrete examples of how Vietnamese businesses are actively integrating into the global green economy.

Developing a green, circular, and low-carbon economy is an inevitable direction for Viet Nam to ensure sustainable development. At the COP26 Conference, the Prime Minister of Viet Nam pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To realize this goal, a strong wave of green transformation has spread across the country, with businesses acting as pioneers and playing a crucial, leading role in this transition.

Currently, Viet Nam has six entities certified for carbon neutrality under PAS 2060:2014, two of which belong to the TH Group. These are TH Milk Joint Stock Company (operator of the TH Fresh Milk Processing Factory) and Nui Tien Pure Water Co., Ltd. (operator of the Nui Tien Pure Water, Herbal, and Fruit Beverage Plant).

This achievement is particularly significant, as it aligns with the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As one of the pioneering corporations applying high technology and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, TH Group aims to accompany the Government of Viet Nam in the fight against climate change.

The Group has affirmed its readiness to participate in the Government’s mandatory carbon market. To achieve net-zero emissions, enterprises must both reduce emissions and neutralize remaining carbon. Moreover, carbon neutrality not only supports Viet Nam’s climate commitments but also enhances global integration and boosts the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses in demanding international markets.

Meaningful numbers

In 2023, TH Group successfully neutralized more than 26,600 tonnes of carbon at TH Milk Joint Stock Company and over 11,600 tonnes at Nui Tien Pure Water Co., Ltd. According to Mr. Arghya Mandal, General Director of TH Milk JSC, following the achievement of carbon neutrality in the initial phase (2023), both subsidiaries have pledged to maintain a permanent carbon-neutral status. The PAS 2060 standard will remain valid until December 31, 2028, after which it will transition to ISO 14068 certification.

To achieve carbon neutrality, the two companies have actively implemented measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency, switching to green energy, upgrading technology and equipment, and optimizing waste management.

At TH True Milk Fresh Milk Factory, operated by TH Milk JSC, the company has completely eliminated the use of fossil-fuel (FO) oil boilers, replacing them with biomass-fueled boilers. This is a single initiative that cuts over 7,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Additionally, all metal halide high-pressure lamps at the factory have been replaced with LED lighting systems, significantly reducing electricity consumption.

The factory has also implemented a range of innovations to reduce emissions and enhance production efficiency, including: installing inverters for cold storage compressors; replacing low-efficiency air blowers with high-efficiency turbo blowers; adjusting compressed air pressure settings on production lines; installing thermal insulation for steam valves; and optimizing steam use.

TH Milk has also pursued broader initiatives such as tree planting, reducing plastic use, promoting employee awareness of water and energy conservation, and minimizing waste discharge. The company provides shared transportation for employees to reduce emissions from private vehicles and continues to increase the use of renewable energy across its operations.

These practical and measurable actions demonstrate TH Group’s steadfast commitment to sustainability, showcasing how Vietnamese enterprises can lead the way in green transformation and carbon neutrality.

Nui Tien Pure Water Co., Ltd. has focused particularly on reducing plastic use through a series of practical and innovative solutions, such as eliminating bottle cap shrink wraps, reducing plastic bottle weight, and decreasing the thickness of plastic labels. Thanks to these initiatives, the company has successfully cut approximately 600 tonnes of plastic waste annually.

In the field of energy efficiency, Nui Tien has implemented multiple measures, including building management system controls, optimized lighting systems, insulated piping, and electricity-saving programs across offices and factories. The company also applies flexible production scheduling, for example, reducing the operation of energy-intensive equipment during peak hours to optimize overall energy efficiency. Moreover, the Nui Tien plant is actively promoting partnerships to expand its solar power system as part of its clean energy transition.

Pursuing its long-term goal of carbon neutrality and eventually net-zero emissions, TH Group is not only implementing emission reduction strategies at its two certified subsidiaries but also launching system-wide initiatives across its operations.

One of the most striking achievements comes from TH’s dairy farm system, where advanced waste treatment technologies have helped reduce methane emissions by about 70% compared to conventional livestock practices. Waste from cattle farming is separated, composted, and reused to produce organic fertilizers or bedding materials for barns, creating a closed-loop and sustainable model.

In addition, TH’s experts have been researching and testing feed additives that can reduce methane emissions generated during digestion and fermentation in cows’ rumens. However, this solution remains in the experimental phase, as it requires careful assessment of potential effects on milk quality.

Beyond emission reduction, TH Group has also undertaken large-scale bamboo planting, especially Moso bamboo, around its factories and offices. This fast-growing species is known for its high CO2 absorption capacity, contributing to the Group’s broader carbon offset and environmental restoration goals.

Through these combined efforts, TH Group continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable development, not only reducing emissions and waste but also creating a regenerative and resilient ecosystem aligned with Viet Nam’s green growth and net-zero ambitions.

TH Group’s experience

Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Thuy, Director of Sustainable Development at TH Group, shared that the corporation’s carbon neutrality strategy is implemented through three key steps: first, conducting greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories at each facility; second, reducing GHG emissions during operations; and finally, offsetting the remaining emissions.

To minimize emissions, TH focuses on transitioning to fuel and technology, adopting optimized operational methods, and building a comprehensive system for emission measurement and reporting. Alongside technological improvements, the Group also emphasizes raising awareness and changing behaviors related to greenhouse gas-emitting activities among its employees and partners.

For emission offsetting, TH prioritizes participation in verified green projects accredited by reputable organizations that deliver environmental, economic, and social benefits. Despite the diversity of carbon markets, with different credit types, methodologies, and price ranges, TH chooses projects that meaningfully contribute to both sustainability goals and community well-being.

On the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of Agriculture and Environment Day and the 1st National Patriotic Emulation Congress, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is organizing a series of events running from July to December 2025.

The highlight of this series is the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Agriculture and Environment Sector combined with the 1st National Patriotic Emulation Congress, which will take place on the morning of November 12, 2025, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, with the participation of more than 1,200 delegates. The event will be broadcast live by VAN News.