[Green Monday Series] What does SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production mean at UEH?

As natural resources continue to be depleted, the global population keeps growing, and millions of tonnes of food are wasted every year, transitioning toward responsible consumption and production has become essential to protecting the environment and ensuring human well-being. In alignment with SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, UEH is steadily turning this commitment into action through sustainable procurement policies, circular waste management practices, and the promotion of a culture of responsible consumption. In this week's Green Monday Series, let's explore UEH's efforts to build a more sustainable ecosystem for responsible consumption and production.

SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production has become an urgent global priority as the world faces the rapid depletion of natural resources while the global population is projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. This means humanity would require the equivalent of three Earths' worth of natural resources to sustain our current lifestyle. Excessive consumption has also resulted in severe consequences, with approximately 931 million tonnes of food wasted every year, while millions of people around the world continue to suffer from hunger. These figures clearly demonstrate that transforming production systems and consumption habits is not only an environmental responsibility but also a necessity for ensuring food security, resource sustainability, and long-term development.

In response to these challenges, countries and businesses worldwide are accelerating the transition toward more sustainable models. By 2024, around 530 policies on sustainable consumption and production had been adopted across 71 countries, representing a 6% increase compared to 2023 and reflecting a strong global commitment to improving resource efficiency. Meanwhile, global fossil fuel subsidies declined by approximately 34.5% in 2023, falling from a record USD 1.68 trillion in 2022 to around USD 1.10 trillion. At the same time, the number of sustainability reports published has nearly tripled, highlighting that sustainability is increasingly becoming a strategic priority for organizations and businesses worldwide.

At UEH, SDG 12 is being realized through a comprehensive system of policies aimed at building a university that embraces responsible consumption and production. UEH introduced its Ethical Sourcing Policy in 2022 and further strengthened it through the Green University Regulations in 2024, promoting transparent supply chains while prioritizing environmentally friendly products and services. In addition, UEH prioritizes food products with clear traceability and recognized food safety certifications such as VietGAP and HACCP, encourages the use of locally sourced products, partners with social enterprises supplying recycled-material products, and minimizes the use of single-use plastics. Operational equipment is also selected based on energy efficiency and environmental certifications such as ISO 14001. These initiatives not only help reduce environmental impacts but also foster a culture of responsible consumption throughout the UEH community.

At the same time, UEH has developed a circular waste management system centered on the principles of waste reduction, measurement, reuse, and recycling. A three-tier waste segregation system has been implemented across all campuses, accompanied by a closed-loop collection and treatment process for hazardous waste. UEH also collaborates with licensed waste management partners to shift waste treatment from landfill disposal to recycling and resource recovery. Comprehensive initiatives to reduce single-use plastics have been introduced across the university, including replacing plastic products with bio-based alternatives, installing free drinking water stations, deploying the UEH Green Campus - i Ve Chai Machine for collecting plastic bottles and aluminum cans, encouraging the use of reusable water bottles, and prioritizing recycled materials for university events through campaigns such as Towards No Single-use Plastic Future, Trai Cai Nhua and Rac Khong Ban. In 2024, despite an increase in enrollment to 7,900 learners, UEH recorded a decrease in per capita waste generation compared to 2023, averaging approximately 36.5 kg per person per year. This achievement reflects not only effective institutional management but also positive changes in awareness and behavior among members of the UEH community as they contribute to building a greener and more sustainable university.

Infographic of UEH's contributions to SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

The greatest challenge of sustainable development is not the lack of solutions - it is changing the choices we make every day. Therefore, SDG 12 is not only about reducing resource extraction or minimizing waste generation, but also about fostering a new development mindset in which every product is designed for long-term value, every resource is used efficiently, and every consumption decision reflects responsibility toward the community. From institutional policies to everyday practices across the university, UEH is steadily demonstrating that a sustainable future begins with the right choices made every day.

This article was prepared with reference to:

1. UEH Sustainability Report 2024: https://books.ueh.edu.vn/sustainability-report-ueh/ 

2. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/ 

Additional Information:

UEH Green Campus - Green Monday Series is a communication activity series under the UEH Green Campus Project, posted every Monday to start the week with positive energy and encourage a green lifestyle by providing knowledge, updating news, sharing inspiring stories about environmental protection and sustainable development.

News and photos: UEH Green Campus Project