Climate Change & Circular Economy in Vietnam

SPD Climate Change Series #3 + Time: March 30, 2024 + Venue: University of Economics and Finance + Language: Vietnamese + Facilitator: Mandy Truong + Nuong Nguyen + Tran Nguyen + Speaker: Ms. Duong Ngoc Duy Thu - Vice President of Phu An Hill Company

The SPD Workshop Series is a recurring workshop series held every three months with the goal of changing students' perceptions of climate change and sustainable development.

Program Agenda:

• 1pm - 4pm : Climate Fresk Workshop – An interactive session where participants explore the causes and impacts of climate change through a collaborative game-based approach.

• Final Hour: Guest Speaker Presentation – A talk on "Circular Economy in Vietnam," followed by a Q&A session, providing insights into sustainability-driven career paths and industry trends.

  

In recent years, climate change and the circular economy have become increasingly relevant topics. Climate change presents both challenges and opportunities, urging a rapid transition toward a greener, more sustainable economy.

A Successful Workshop with Student Engagement

The workshop began with an engaging Climate Fresk game, helping UEFers visualize the interconnectedness of climate issues.

The discussion shed light on the severe consequences of climate change, such as global warming, extreme weather events, prolonged droughts, declining agricultural yields, and increased health risks. The urgency of reducing carbon emissions and implementing climate adaptation measures was emphasized to ensure a habitable and sustainable planet.

Climate change is a pressing global issue with direct economic consequences, affecting infrastructure, labor productivity, and human health. Its negative impacts are becoming increasingly evident, causing significant financial and social losses worldwide.

Deep Dive into the Circular Economy

The speakers highlighted that while climate change poses a major challenge, it also presents a unique opportunity to transition toward a greener, more resilient economy. Decisive action and international cooperation are crucial for protecting the environment, driving economic growth, and improving quality of life.

The circular economy is emerging as a powerful solution, offering economic, environmental, and social benefits such as:

♻️ Creating new growth opportunities

♻️ Generating sustainable jobs

♻️ Reducing environmental impact

♻️ Achieving sustainable development goals

Climate Fresk Facilitator - Tran Nguyen shared an inspiring perspective:

“The circular economy isn’t just a business model—it can be applied to all aspects of life. For example, sustainable food production from farms, reducing waste throughout the production process, and helping customers minimize food waste.”

With their real-world expertise and engaging approach, the speakers provided students with valuable knowledge and inspiration. By the end of the workshop, UEFers gained new motivation to broaden their thinking and apply circular economy principles to address real-world sustainability challenges.

📢 Stay tuned for the next exciting topic in the SPD Workshop Series! 🚀

-- Trang Nguyen --