This year, the textile industry sets a target of $40 billion in export turnover. — VNA/VNS Photo The statement was made by Truong Van Cam, vice chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) at a meeting held in Hanoi on May 7. According to Cam, the industry gained US$31.7 billion and $36 billion in export turnover in 2017 and 2018, respectively. This year, the industry had set a target of $40 billion in export turnover. However, it also had high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. This field is facing a number of social and environmental issues, affecting the reputation of the textile industry, Cam added. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and VITAS have co-ordinated and been implemented the “Greening Vietnam’s Textile Sector Through Improving Water Management and Energy Sustainability” since October, 2018. The project aims to transform Vietnam's textile and apparel industry from a low-cost manufacturing and … [Read more...] about Vietnam strives for green textile industry
Wildlife at risk vietnam
As China pushes traditional medicine globally, illegal wildlife trade flourishes
Since the start of the year, authorities in the Chinese territory of Hong Kong have seized record volumes of threatened species, including 8.3 tons of pangolin scales from nearly 14,000 pangolins and its largest ever haul of rhino horns, worth more than $1 million. The former British colony is one of the world’s primary wildlife trafficking transit points, supplying an array of products including shark fins, tiger parts and rhino horn across Asia and into mainland China. "One of the most alarming characteristics of wildlife trafficking is the growing use of threatened species in traditional medicines," conservation group ADM Capital Foundation said in a recent report. It identified the traditional Chinese medicine industry as accounting for more than three-quarters of the trade in endangered wildlife products in Hong Kong over the past 5 years. China's State Council has outlined a multi-decade plan to promote traditional medicine, including setting up hospitals, museums, … [Read more...] about As China pushes traditional medicine globally, illegal wildlife trade flourishes
Vietnam gov’t asks for strict handling of wildlife smuggling
The Hanoitimes - Vietnam is becoming a hot spot for smuggling and use of wildlife products in Southeast Asia. Businesses in Vietnam pledge to fight illegal wildlife consumption Make short film on illegal wildlife trade and win US$5,000 award Vietnam attachs importance to protecting wildlife Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has recently requested the Ministries of Public Security, National Defense, Finance, and Industry and Trade to intensify preventive measures and strictly handle the illegal smuggling of wild animals and plants. Illustrative photo According to some international experts, Vietnam is becoming a hot spot for smuggling and use of wildlife products in Southeast Asia. In addition, the country is also known as a major transshipment area in the region for wildlife products trading. Many cases of transnational trade in large quantities of wild animal and plant products have been found. The use of ivory, rhino horn and the killing of … [Read more...] about Vietnam gov’t asks for strict handling of wildlife smuggling
Hong Kong’s ivory ban sparks fresh hope for endangered elephants
Smooth white bracelets, intricate carvings of women in flowing gowns, and majestic horses are among the countless items that are disappearing from shop windows in mainland China as the government implements an ivory trading ban for the world’s largest consumer of ivory. Supporters of an ivory ban protest outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China January 31, 2018. REUTERS And now Hong Kong, the largest ivory retail market, is preparing to do the same. Lawmakers voted Jan. 31 to ban the sale of ivory starting in 2021, and increase penalties for wildlife crimes. Both bans include exceptions for certain antiques and cultural relics. Wildlife researchers say the ivory bans in China and Hong Kong are promising steps toward conserving elephant populations, as legal markets often function as a cover for illegal markets. By closing legal markets of ivory, legislators and conservationists hope to further restrict access to ivory and lower prices and demand for ivory … [Read more...] about Hong Kong’s ivory ban sparks fresh hope for endangered elephants
Legal fight over Bali coal power plant illuminates Indonesia energy dilemma
Over the last three years, fisherman Iputu Gede Astawa has watched his daily catch off the northern tip of Indonesia’s Bali island fall at an alarming rate. Having swapped his paddle for an outboard motor in a futile effort to fish further out to sea where waters are more dangerous, Astawa blames a nearby coal power plant for harming his livelihood. “My catch is totally different to what it was before the power plant began operating,” said Astawa, a third-generation fisherman based near the port town of Singaraja who heads a group of about 30 other fishermen. Where once they caught 400 buckets of fish a day, they now net just 10. Astawa is one of three local residents fighting a legal battle to stop the planned expansion of the Celukan Bawang power plant, about 120 km (75 miles) from the main tourism hub of Denpasar, which began operating in 2015. “All the fishermen will be impacted and we will lose our jobs,” said Astawa, 43, who now makes furniture to … [Read more...] about Legal fight over Bali coal power plant illuminates Indonesia energy dilemma