The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has consistently positioned itself as a pioneer in advancing a green university model, sustainable development, and carbon emission reduction. To concretize this commitment, since 2024, UEH has adopted a policy of divestment from polluting energy industries, which is clearly stipulated in the Regulations Regarding Green Campus Practice – an official document applicable across the entire university system. This policy was approved and implemented across all campuses at the beginning of 2024 and has been publicly announced on the UEH Green Campus website. Following the adoption of this policy, UEH has conducted a comprehensive review of its investment portfolio, financial cooperation activities to ensure that no investment is associated with enterprises or organizations operating in the fossil fuel sector.

1. Regarding the policy

In 2023, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) adopted a strategic orientation of refraining from cooperation with enterprises or organizations operating in environmentally polluting sectors. However, this orientation had not yet been formalized into an explicit policy or official regulation within the university’s governance framework. By 2024, this principle was incorporated and clearly codified to define UEH’s future partnership orientation, ensuring that all investment and collaboration activities are aligned with the university’s commitment to sustainable development and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

This regulation was incorporated into Article 9: Management responsibilities of Units under UEH related to waste collection, classification, and transportation activities (Department of Facilities, Vinh Long Campus) (Appendix 1) under Chapter III: Regulations for Related Parties of the Regulations Regarding Green Campus Practice.

(https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/green-campus-regulations#qd-dieu9) 

“8. UEH shall not engage in any investment, capital contribution, or financial partnership with enterprises or organizations operating in environmentally polluting energy sectors, particularly those involved in the extraction or utilization of coal and oil – energy sources that generate high levels of CO₂ emissions and contribute to climate change.”

See details in the UEH Green University Practice Regulations (2024 updated version):

This policy represents UEH’s clear direction toward divestment from fossil fuel industries (coal and oil), fully consistent with the objectives of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

2. Implementation

After the policy was enacted, UEH assigned the Department of Finance and Investment Planning and the Department of Communications and Partnerships as the focal units responsible for reviewing, monitoring, and periodically disclosing the list of investments and financial partnerships, ensuring that no investment is linked to enterprises or organizations operating in the fossil-fuel energy sector.

Specifically:

    • The Department of Finance and Investment Planning conducts regular reviews of all financial cooperation, sponsorship, and investment portfolios across the entire UEH system (including Ho Chi Minh City and the Vinh Long Campus).

+ The review results are submitted annually to the Sustainable Project Board for monitoring, public disclosure, and documentation in the UEH Green Campus Annual Report 2024:  https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/sustainability-report/annual-report

+ All partners and suppliers in finance and investment are required to commit to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards prior to formal collaboration.

Through this mechanism, UEH ensures that all financial, investment, and partnership activities align with its emission reduction and sustainable development strategy.

Open related links:

1. 2023 – Article 9, Green Campus Practice Regulations at UEH – 

2. 2024 – UEH Green Campus Annual Report – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/sustainability-report/annual-report