A new environmental protection programme titled Go Green – Hanh Trinh Xanh was officially launched June 24, 2008 in Ha Noi by Toyota Motor Viet Nam (TMV) in conjunction with the Viet Nam Environment Protection Agency (VEPA) and the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET).
The programme was initiated from an idea of creating a hub to promote environmental protection activities of TMV with other organisations and dedicated environmental volunteer groups in Viet Nam.It aims to raise awareness of the community towards environmental protection and mobilise people into gradually changing their behaviour. It also hopes to directly implement and support other environmental activities which focus on minimising and halting damages to the environment in Viet Nam as well as offer support and aid to individuals and organisations affected by environmental damages, said Nobuhiko Murakami, TMV president at press briefing.The Go Green programme will be implemented through three modules: Practical activities to protect the environment; education and information campaigns to raise awareness on environmental protection and encourage and support the sustainability of those activities run by community themselves."With the Go Green Programme, TMV once again, would like to affirm our commitment on sustainable development in Viet Nam. Apart from making great strides towards building a green cycle, from production of components to assembling, sales, and customer services, we also wish to work with organisation in carrying out the most comprehensive environmental programme consisting of various integrated activities."The first phase of the programme will run from 2008 until 2011. It will then be reviewed in order gauge its success and form suitable projects for the future.VEPA deputy general director Dr Tran Hong Ha spoke about practical activities that could protect the environment at national parks and reservations; the establishment of Green Company, public eco-areas, the support of the appliance of bio gas to run generations and the expansion of the eco-village model as well as the need to support friendly school programmes implemented in Quang Ninh Province and Ha Long Bay.Education-information campaigns on environment protection will be formulated, said Ha, adding that community based activities such as establishing Go Green Club to gather the youngsters who are conscious of the importance of environment protection, are being planned. GG club is directly responsible for implementation of programme’s activities and is also the hub of nationwide volunteers who serve the purpose by raising awareness on environmental protection. The club is expected to become operation next month.GG club is methodically organised and has on its advisory board technical consultants who ensure the implementation of the activities. The club will serve as the focal point of connection and will implement environmental activities. It is also a resourceful forum for "green online users" who can discuss and exchange ideas on environmental protection on http://www.gogreen.com.vn.
