Most small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh are unaware of their corporate social responsibility and responsibility to protect the environment.

This was revealed on October 10, in a recent survey on awareness of environmental protection and adaption to climate change among the local SMEs, conducted by the Tra Vinh SME Development Project and the Tropical Environmental Institute.

The survey shows that more than 1,900 enterprises and over 60,000 household businesses are operating in Tra Vinh, with SMEs accounting for 98 per cent of the total.

According to the institute’s deputy director, Le Anh Kien, a majority of the SMEs do not acknowledge the linkages between business and the environment and climate change; so, there is an urgent need to change the way they think and act towards the environment.

The two organisations suggested several solutions to raise their awareness towards environment responsibility, including the launching of training courses run by State agencies to educate businesses on laws regarding environmental protection, land, water resources and workplace safety and hygiene.

They also advised an increase in inspection and stricter penalties for environment-related violations.

The Tra Vinh SME Development Project, underway from 2014 to 2020, has been given financial support of VND215 billion or CAD12.1million, benefiting about 200 businesses and 194,000 people in the province. — VNS