(TITC) – In response to “Action Month for the Environment” and World Environment Day (June 5), the Ha Noi Department of Natural Resources and Environment in collaboration with People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District, Live and Learn Viet Nam organized "Green Living Festival."
More than 1,000 people, including representatives of diplomatic missions in Viet Nam such as the US, Canada, Switzerland, Italy and Sri Lanka; representatives of the city’s departments, sectors, organisations, businesses and schools, are expected to take part in activities towards a green and sustainable Ha Noi at this festival.
Representative of Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Le Tuan Dinh informed that World Environment Day 2018 with the theme "Beat plastic pollution’” called the community to change in everyday lives and reduce plastic waste, aiming at a new economy, using renewable energy sources, clean fuels, emission reduction and sustainable development.
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), there are about 500 billion plastic bags consumed in the world, but the majority of plastic waste is not buried in landfills. The plastic that ends up in the oceans can circle the Earth four times in a single year, and it can persist for up to 1,000 years before it fully disintegrates.
With sustainability in nature, plastic waste (plastic bottles, nylon bags, plastic food boxes and cups ...) along with other environmental pollutants have been negatively impacting on the environment, economy social and human health.
In that context, through the "Green Living Festival" with practical activities, Ha Noi has expressed its determination and efforts in appealing consumers to save and recycle plastic waste; encourage the use of environmentally friendly energy, technologies and products; the electronic waste collection, towards a green and sustainable environment in Ha Noi.
A series of activities in the framwork of "Green Living Festival" in cluding environment booths and games related to environment protection were organized in order to to linking state management with organization, community, school and business. Green initiatives, green businesses, environmentally friendly products were introduced in the booths.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Ping Kitnikone, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam has praised efforts and progresses made by the Ha Noi authority in protecting and improving the environment. She also informed that representatives of embassies and international partner agencies had been working hard to launch a communication campaign against plastic pollution in Viet Nam.
Notably, representatives from 41 embassies and international organisations will sign a code of conduct on plastic pollution prevention, committing to reducing plastic waste by adjusting internal regulations, and encouraging partners to apply solutions to minimize or eliminate plastic waste.
Thereby, the international diplomatic missions in Viet Nam look forward to working with the Vietnamese government, the business sector and other partners to continue joint efforts to reduce plastic waste in Viet Nam.
Hong Thanh
