SABECO Charts Path to Sustainable Leadership in Việt Nam

Date: December 3, 2025
Source: Vietnam Law & Legal Forum Magazine

Sustainability as a Core Competitiveness Driver

In an era where sustainability profoundly influences global investment, consumer behavior, and regulation, SABECO, one of Việt Nam’s foremost beverage companies, has positioned itself at the forefront of green transformation. Speaking at the Sustainable Development 2025 Conference in Hà Nội, Larry Lee Chio Lim, SABECO’s Deputy General Director, underscored that green manufacturing is not merely a trend but a strategic imperative for long-term competitiveness.

Global metrics reinforce this shift: by early 2025, the green economy expanded to $7.9 trillion, comprising nearly 9% of listed equity markets, while sustainable finance reached $5.87 trillion in 2024. Consumer willingness to pay more for sustainable products has risen significantly, with a PwC 2024 study reporting nearly 10% premium willingness and active environmental footprint reductions by almost half of surveyed consumers.

Việt Nam’s Strategic Alignment and Industry Impact

Việt Nam has committed to net zero emissions by 2050, supported by its National Green Growth Strategy and Power Development Plan VIII. Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and food & beverage sectors, consuming over half of the nation’s energy, are pivotal in shaping emissions, waste, and supply chain practices. The Ministry of Industry and Trade recognizes these industries as economic “locomotives,” emphasizing that their sustainability performance will determine the pace of the country’s green transition.

SABECO’s Transformative Sustainability Initiatives

With 150 years of heritage and operations spanning 25 breweries and over 200,000 outlets nationwide, SABECO leverages sustainability for growth and competitive advantage:

• Energy: 40.5% renewable energy usage in production; 7,843 MWh of rooftop solar electricity generated in 2024; biomass boilers offsetting over 7,400 tonnes of CO2; enhanced energy efficiency reducing electricity intensity by 8%. This has lowered greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity to 7.55kg CO2 equivalent per hectolitre — a critical step for operational resilience and fossil fuel volatility reduction.

• Emissions and Waste: Achieved a 9.3% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions; diverted 64.2% of waste from disposal.

• Water Stewardship: Reduced water intensity by 7.3% and total water withdrawal by 5.7%; expanded rainwater harvesting; maintains 100% compliance in wastewater management; employs advanced water risk mapping to prioritize investments in vulnerable regions.

• Packaging: Primary packaging is 100% recyclable or reusable; glass bottle return rates stand at 75–80%; aluminium can weight reduced by 15% since 2019, supporting circular economy principles.

Community Engagement and Governance

Beyond environmental efforts, SABECO has invested significantly in social programs:

• ‘Lighting Up Rural Areas and Borders’ impacts over 75,000 people across 109 km.
• Sports initiatives benefit 50,000 youth.
• Tết support reached 37,500 households in 2025.
• Mobilized VNĐ4.2 billion in emergency relief post-Typhoon Yagi.

SABECO’s governance framework includes a Board-level Sustainability and Risk Management Committee, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)-aligned ESG disclosures, zero data privacy breaches reported in 2024, and full employee performance evaluations, establishing strong foundations of transparency and trust.

A Systems-Based Approach to Sustainability

SABECO’s sustainability model is structured around five mutually reinforcing levers:

1. Energy decarbonization
2. Circular packaging
3. Water stewardship
4. ESG governance
5. Community and supply chain resilience

This systemic approach ensures that sustainability is embedded throughout operations and strategy, driving measurable impact and industry leadership.

Forward-Looking Commitments

SABECO plans to:

• Scale renewable energy use further
• Enhance circular packaging and expand Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) participation
• Deepen water resource resilience
• Share sustainability best practices with industry stakeholders
• Uphold rigorous and transparent governance standards

Deputy General Director Larry Lee Chio Lim concluded with an emphasis on collective accountability: “Việt Nam’s next chapter will be defined not by the industries of the past, but by the companies that embrace transformation today.” With aligned policies, partnerships, and commitments, SABECO aims to not just participate but lead Việt Nam’s green economic transition.

Keywords: SABECO, sustainable leadership, Việt Nam sustainability, green manufacturing, renewable energy, circular packaging, water stewardship, ESG governance, net zero 2050, green economy, FMCG sustainability, corporate social responsibility

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