A project to make the textile industry more environment-friendly has been launched in Ha Noi by the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association.

“Greening Viet Nam’s textile sector through improving water management and energy sustainability” will engage multiple players in the sector to promote better river basin governance and contribute to water quality improvement and sustainable energy use. It is part of the “Driving impact reduction through the textiles value chain” project sponsored by HSBC to support the green textile industry in China, Bangladesh, India, and Viet Nam.

The textile and apparel industry is one of Viet Nam’s most economically important sectors. It contributes 15 per cent of exports and has seen a steady annual growth rate of 12 per cent since 2010. Key stakeholders in the project include international brands with suppliers in Viet Nam, factories around the country, in particular in the Mekong and Dong Nai deltas in areas around HCM City, financial institutions, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

HSBC has long been involved in supporting the conservation of water globally through the HSBC Water Programme, an eight-year, US$150 million project started in 2012.