Bureau Veritas Vietnam shares insights on Carbon Footprint Management Trends for Export-Oriented Businesses

As sustainability requirements become increasingly integrated into international trade, carbon footprint is emerging as an important consideration for export-oriented businesses. Beyond being an environmental indicator, carbon is increasingly viewed as a new “language of trade”, influencing market access, participation in global supply chains, and the ability to meet the expectations of international customers.

In a recent interview with Vietnam Business Forum, Mr. Nguyen Huynh Thanh Phong, Sustainability Development Director at Bureau Veritas Vietnam, shared his perspectives on emerging carbon footprint requirements, the challenges businesses are facing, and the priorities organizations should focus on to build effective carbon management capabilities.

According to Mr. Phong, carbon emissions management is no longer purely an environmental issue; it is becoming a practical business requirement. Increasingly, international customers expect organizations to disclose emissions data not only from their manufacturing operations but throughout the entire value chain, from raw material sourcing and energy consumption to transportation and product distribution.

The interview also highlighted common challenges faced by Vietnamese businesses in measuring and managing carbon footprints, particularly regarding data quality, emissions data traceability, and the allocation of emissions to individual products or production processes. These factors play a critical role in determining the reliability of carbon calculations and disclosures.

Beyond compliance requirements, Mr. Phong emphasized that many emissions reduction initiatives can also improve operational performance through the optimization of energy use, raw materials, and production resources. When implemented through a structured roadmap, sustainable transformation not only helps organizations mitigate risks but also creates opportunities to access new customers, strengthen participation in global supply chains, and enhance brand value.

As sustainability requirements continue to expand across industries such as textiles, footwear, electronics, wood products, and agriculture, organizations that begin building carbon management capabilities early will be better prepared to adapt to evolving market expectations and future regulatory developments.