Sustainable development is not just a trend but an urgent necessity as the global environment faces increasing pressures from various human activities. Environmental pollution poses a significant threat to human health, ecosystems, and long-term economic stability. Understanding the types, sources, and causes of pollution, and implementing mitigation solutions, is vital for safeguarding the planet for both current and future generations.
Main types of pollution
Air pollution: One of the most severe issues directly impacting human health, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. According to WHO (2023), air pollution leads to approximately 7 million deaths annually worldwide, including at least 70,000 in Vietnam, reducing the average life expectancy by 1.4 years. Major contributors include industrial activities, transportation, and the burning of fossil fuels.
Water pollution: Stemming from the uncontrolled discharge of waste by factories, farms, and residential areas, water pollution contaminates both freshwater sources and oceans. Wastewater often contains heavy metals and chemicals that are harmful to ecosystems and humans. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP, 2023) reports that 60% of river water sources in Asia, Africa, and Europe are polluted.
Soil pollution: Primarily a result of industrial, agricultural, and household waste, soil pollution negatively impacts plants and animals, reduces arable land, and threatens food security. UNEP (2023) identifies soil contamination as a contributing factor to increased hunger and ecological imbalance.
Plastic pollution: Currently one of the most pressing environmental issues. According to Greenpeace (2023), millions of tons of plastic waste are dumped into the oceans each year, disrupting marine life and the food chain.
Light pollution: Although less frequently discussed, light pollution significantly affects ecosystems and human health. Excessive artificial lighting disrupts the natural behaviors of wildlife and diminishes the visibility of the night sky.
The extraction and utilization of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas, contribute to multiple forms of pollution, including air, water, and soil contamination. This is a primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, driving global warming and accelerating climate change.
>>> READ MORE: What are carbon emissions and why are they important: A focus look on Vietnam context
Industry contributions to environmental pollution
Many industries contribute to pollution, notably:
Energy: The burning of fossil fuels for power generation emits particulate matter and heavy metals while oil and gas production discharges wastewater containing grease, hydrocarbons, and toxic chemical compounds.
Heavy and light industry: Factories emit greenhouse gases and discharge chemical-laden wastewater during processes such as metallurgy, steelmaking, cement production, and the manufacturing of chemicals, fertilizers, packaging, and paper.
Transportation: According to Climate Trade (2023), transportation accounts for about one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, with freight contributing 40% and passenger travel 60%. Road transport, especially cars and buses, comprises 45.1% of these emissions, while freight trucks add another 29.4%. According to figures from Hannah Ritchie’s article “Cars, planes, trains: where do CO₂ emissions from transport come from?”, published on Our World in Data.
In Vietnam, according to a study by the South Centre for Environmental Monitoring (SCEM, 2023) - Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, noted that vehicle emissions contribute up to 70% of pollution in major cities, increasing yearly as the number of vehicles grows.
Agriculture: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), agricultural activities produce 9.3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent annually, primarily from methane and nitrous oxide emissions linked to livestock and crop farming. Excessive pesticide and chemical fertilizer use further pollutes the air, water, and soil.
Food processing and retail: Wastewater from the food industry contains grease, organic waste, and toxic compounds from food cleaning and processing. Particularly for food retail businesses, the discharge of large amounts of organic and plastic waste (such as plastic bags, plastic wrap, plastic blisters, plastic boxes for processed foods) into the environment also affects the air environment and seriously pollutes water and soil sources. During the decomposition process, microplastics reduce species living below the surface, such as mites, larvae and other small organisms that help maintain soil fertility. Meanwhile, organic waste produces an unpleasant stench accompanied by a large amount of CO2 emitted into the environment. Moreover, if the organic waste is not collected regularly and accumulates over time, it affects not only air pollution but also the health of people living nearby.
Textile industry - fashion business: This is one of the biggest causes of pollution that the world is facing. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), this is the second largest contributor to water pollution after the fossil fuel sector due to the production of textile products requiring a lot of water and chemicals. In addition, nowadays, fabrics increasingly use synthetic fibers such as polyester, leading to the use of many dyes and other synthetic additives that make wastewater discharged after the dyeing process difficult or impossible to decompose microbiologically, causing even more wastewater pollution. Not to mention the trend of fast fashion and overconsumption, which also have a significant impact on the consumption of resources to produce new textile products that are only to be used for a short time and have not been recycled under a suitable recycling process.
Mining industry: Vietnam has more than 5,000 mines with about 60 different types of minerals and 1,100 mining enterprises. Mineral extraction damages ecosystems, causes landslides, disrupts water flow, and changes the quality of river water. In particular, upstream mineral extraction discharges pollutants into surface flows or disperses them into the air, affecting environmental quality. In addition, mineral transportation also harms the air environment due to smoke and dust during transportation and unloading.
Construction: The extraction and transportation of building materials, the construction processes and the daily operations of buildings are estimated to account for about 40% of global emissions. The global construction industry uses about 3 billion tons of raw materials each year, including sand, wood and iron ore, which accounts for 40% of the total global material use. Construction and demolition sites generate mountains of waste, including excess and wasted materials. In addition, construction activities can significantly change the surface of land due to the large amount of vegetation clearing and excavation that is common in many construction projects.
Technology: Often underestimated, the tech industry has a larger carbon footprint than previously thought. Currently, there are about 30 billion internet-connected devices in the world. If this figure continues to increase, it is estimated that the IT industry could use 20% of all electricity produced by 2025 and emit up to 5.5% of the world's carbon emissions. According to the study The real climate and transformative impact of ICT: A critique of estimates, trends, and regulations published in 2021 in the journal Patterns (UK), the information and communication technology (ICT) industry emits more greenhouse gases than previously estimated. While previous estimates put ICT at 1.8-2.8% of total global emissions, the researchers say the actual figure could be as high as 2.1-3.9%, surpassing even the air transport sector (which accounts for about 2%). This adjustment comes from the fact that previous estimates did not fully account for product life cycles, supply chains, and energy use. In addition, new technology trends such as Big Data, AI, IoT, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies can further increase these emissions.
Regarding air pollution alone, according to IQAir statistics, Vietnam ranked 22nd among the countries with the worst air quality in the world in 2023 while Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively. In our country, the manufacturing and transportation industries are considered two of the leading polluters, with emissions from vehicles contributing to poor air quality, especially in large cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Dibee, with the latest sustainability solution, supports businesses in transportation and logistics or those operating internal fleets. These tools enable precise measurement and reporting of vehicle emissions, aligning with recognized standards and supporting companies on their dual path toward green and digital transformation.
Proposed solutions
From the Government and State management agencies:
The Government and State-owned agencies will be able to provide a variety of solutions and directions to respond to the pollution issue, along with feasible mitigation and remediation proposals, could including:
Implement stricter environmental protection and emissions regulations.
Study and implement incentives such as tax benefits and financial aid to encourage environmentally responsible practices, coupled with sanctions for non-compliance.
Invest in renewable energy to decrease reliance on fossil fuels.
Support the development of eco-friendly materials and technologies.
Promote public awareness campaigns to encourage sustainable consumption habits and resource efficiency.
From the business side:
Learn about and join environmental alliances/ organizations, especially in the field that business is operating, to access initiatives, learn from other members, and promote cooperation opportunities to help reduce emissions or, more broadly, minimize negative impacts on the environment from the production and business activities.
Investing in carbon offset projects such as reforestation, coastal cleaning, water resource regeneration, or wildlife conservation, depending on the strengths or industries in which the business is operating, demonstrates social corporate responsibility, not only helping to reduce the impact on the environment but also supporting the business in building its image/reputation and strengthening its brand value.
Applying international standards such as ISO 14001 on environmental management systems improve eco-friendly operations.
Incorporate green technologies and energy-saving equipment to minimize emissions.
Particularly in the transportation sector, businesses can use digital management and emission monitoring systems such as Dibee to optimize fleet operations and strictly control their vehicle emissions.
From the perspective of customers, investors and other stakeholders:
Support eco-friendly products and be vigilant against greenwashing.
Advocate for and invest in sustainable projects, fostering a culture of responsible and sustainable development.
Conclusion
Environmental pollution is an escalating challenge that demands coordinated action from governments, businesses, and individuals. To protect the planet, collective efforts and practical solutions must be implemented without delay. Starting small and raising community awareness can spark positive, long-lasting change.