Unilever Vietnam's OMO brand has initiated a commitment to plant 1 million trees during the 2026-2030 period. This effort began with a donation of 20,000 precious tree seeds to Nui Chua National Park in Khanh Hoa on 16/1. This plan follows their successful completion of planting over 1 million trees in the previous five years.

Le Thi Hong Nhi, Deputy General Director of Communications, External Relations, and Sustainable Development at Unilever Vietnam, told VnExpress that while this is a short-term cost, it represents a long-term strategic investment. This program helps the company strengthen its foundation for sustainable development amid environmental challenges.

This perspective stems from the reality that no business can operate effectively when the environment is ravaged by frequent natural disasters like floods, which directly affect supply chains, value chains, and consumer access. Nhi cited the severe flooding in late 2025, which caused significant losses for their retailers and disrupted operations.

She emphasized that climate change directly impacts both consumers and the company's supply system. Investing in programs like planting 1 million trees is Unilever's way of contributing to climate change adaptation for Vietnam, thereby creating conditions for stable and more resilient business operations in the long term. "Instead of focusing solely on pure business figures, this is how we 'invest back' into the community and ecosystem", she stated.

Le Thi Hong Nhi, Deputy General Director of Communications, External Relations, and Sustainable Development at Unilever Vietnam, speaking at the event on 16/1. Photo: Organizers provided

Le Thi Hong Nhi, Deputy General Director of Communications, External Relations, and Sustainable Development at Unilever Vietnam, speaking at the event on 16/1. Photo: Organizers provided

This approach, viewing tree planting as a long-term business investment, is not unique to Unilever; it is becoming a common trend among many businesses. International reports on climate risks and natural degradation indicate that extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and deforestation can disrupt supply chains, increase operational costs, and directly affect market access for businesses.

Reuters, citing a recent study by Oxford University's Environmental Change Institute in the UK, warned that nature and climate-related risks are already impacting companies' revenues, costs, and asset values. This forces large organizations worldwide to reposition their business strategies to incorporate these factors as part of strategic risk management. Consequently, tree planting and reforestation programs are increasingly seen by businesses as part of their climate adaptation and risk management strategies, rather than merely corporate social responsibility activities.

In recent years, the tree planting movement has expanded beyond state policies to become a prominent focus for businesses.

Speaking at the event on 16/1, Trieu Van Luc, Deputy Director General of the Forestry and Forest Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, reported that from 2021 to 2025, Vietnam planted 1.45 billion trees, exceeding its target by 45%. The total investment for this was approximately 15.3 trillion VND, with over 11.7 trillion VND mobilized from contributions by organizations, businesses, households, and individuals, demonstrating strong societal engagement.

Tree planting and ecosystem restoration are no longer merely corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies but are viewed by businesses as integral to risk management and sustainable development. A 2025 report by MCG Group, based on research into nearly 500 listed businesses, showed that ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives, including environmental efforts, are increasingly integrated into core business operations and disclosed in public reports. This reflects a growing trend of businesses considering environmental, social, and governance factors in their long-term strategic planning.

These figures align with previous surveys by KPMG and PwC on ESG practices among major domestic corporations, which revealed that a significant number of businesses have implemented sustainability programs, though the level of measurement and management varies across organizations.

Tat Dat