In a plant project, these three groups should not be treated as three separate lists. For example, the placement of a water treatment system is both environmentally significant and affects operational safety, maintenance costs, and management responsibilities. Similarly, installing separate meters for each area not only helps monitor energy consumption but also generates data for investment decision-making and performance verification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESG should not be equated with green certifications or CBAM.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Green building certification is an assessment mechanism based on a specific set of criteria. CBAM focuses on emission data associated with product categories within its scope of application. ESG is broader: it's how businesses identify risks, set goals, assign responsibilities, and monitor environmental, social, and governance performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, a factory can begin improving ESG even without having registered for green certification or plans to install solar power. The important thing is that the goals are aligned with production operations, have someone accountable, and have data to verify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pillar E: Designing factories to reduce environmental impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. Start with the load and the production process, not with the equipment.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before selecting solar panels, BESS, or a high-efficiency air conditioning system, the investor needs to understand where and when the plant is consuming energy. Input data should show machinery capacity, operating schedule, base load, peak load, temperature and humidity requirements, compressed air, steam, process water, and other critical loads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From that data, the design team can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Optimizing the orientation of the house, the building's exterior, the roof, and sunshade solutions;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Load partitioning allows for more accurate measurement and control;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Select appropriate transformer, chiller, fan, compressor, and auxiliary equipment capacities;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prepare the space, payload capacity, cable routes, and connection points for future renewable energy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Solar power should be considered only after understanding the load curve. If the output doesn't coincide with the plant's power consumption, the system may not be as efficient as expected. Similarly, BESS should only be considered when addressing a specific problem such as reducing peak power, increasing self-consumption, or maintaining critical load groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Incorporate water and wastewater into the design process from the outset.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Water is a crucial component of the environmental pillar but is often overlooked when projects focus solely on electricity generation. Plants need to clearly define where water is used, the required water quality, the processes generating wastewater, and the potential for reuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the design phase, the following can be considered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Separating the water supply network for domestic use, process water, cooling water, and fire fighting water;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Install meters for specific areas or production lines with high consumption levels;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Collect rainwater for appropriate purposes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Organize the wastewater treatment plant layout to facilitate expansion, maintenance, and odor control;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Control the risk of chemical leaks, spills, and cross-contamination between water streams.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Water-saving design doesn't mean reducing water at all costs. The goal is to use the right quality, the right flow rate, in a measurable way, and to safely treat the water before discharging or reusing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Thi\u1ebft](\"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/esg-nang-luong-nuoc-mep-anh-giua-bai-1-v2-1024x576.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Taking into account materials and associated emissions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Emissions from a building don't just come from electricity consumption after the plant goes into operation. The choice of structure, steel, concrete, cladding materials, insulation, and finishes also affects embedded emissions, durability, replaceability, and lifecycle costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of simply asking "Is this material green?", the developer should conduct a further assessment with the design firm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Do the materials meet the durability and corrosive environmental requirements of the plant?;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Are the supply, shipping distance, and availability of substitutes stable?;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Is there sufficient reliable environmental information or product data?;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Does the structure allow for future repairs, disassembly, or expansion?;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Is the initial investment cost reasonable when compared to the operating and maintenance costs?.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
4. Designed to adapt to the climate and reduce waste.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A sustainable plant needs to account for heavy rain, flooding, heatwaves, strong winds, corrosion, and infrastructure disruptions. Ground elevation, critical equipment elevation, drainage direction, roof, yard, chemical storage, and power station location all need to be considered within the same risk assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conversely, modular design, leaving adequate technical space, and standardizing dimensions can reduce the amount of material that needs to be removed during renovation. This is a practical approach to reducing construction waste and limiting the need for "demolishing and rebuilding.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pillar S: Designing safer and better factories for people.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Safety must be considered from the ground level.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Safety is not just about equipping protective gear or posting warning signs after construction is complete. From the overall site plan, it's necessary to properly separate the flow of container trucks, forklifts, pedestrians, visitors, and production areas. Escape routes, fire access points, assembly areas, and intersections must be checked against actual operating procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the construction phase, risks such as working at height, lifting and lowering, drilling and cutting, electrical connections, and working inside an operating plant also need to be reflected in the construction organization plan. A good design plan will help reduce the number of situations requiring temporary on-site intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Indoor environmental quality directly affects operation.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ventilation, temperature, humidity, lighting, noise, and air quality need to be determined for each functional area. Factories with heat, dust, chemical, or cleanliness requirements cannot apply a single HVAC solution to the entire building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Investing in a better work environment not only benefits employees, but also helps reduce operational errors, supports maintenance, increases process stability, and lays the foundation for long-term quality goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Don't overlook the community and surrounding area.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Noise, truck traffic, stormwater runoff, odors, nighttime lighting, and the risk of chemical spills can all impact nearby communities. During surveys and planning, developers should consider these impacts along with setbacks, greenery, transportation routes, and the location of high-risk elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Quy](\"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/esg-an-toan-du-lieu-bim-anh-giua-bai-2-v2-1024x576.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPillar G: Data is the foundation of ESG governance.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Set measurement boundaries from the start.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Without knowing what and where to measure it, businesses will find it difficult to assess ESG effectiveness. Boundaries need to be defined by area, production line, equipment, or resource type depending on management objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For greenhouse gas emissions, businesses can refer to the GHG Protocol's methods for classifying and managing data appropriately. However, a specific emission figure or emission reduction commitment should not be automatically assigned to a project without approved input data and inventory methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Deliver structured data, not just multiple drawings.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Useful ESG documentation should serve the operators. In addition to as-built drawings, asset inventory, equipment specifications, meter locations, cable routes, maintenance schedules, commissioning results, and operating instructions should be organized in a unified structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BIM, or property data modeling, can support this work, but the tool isn't the ultimate goal. What's important is that the owner knows what data to retain, who updates it, who has access, and how the data is used for decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Integrate ESG accountability into the approval process.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Each objective needs a responsible person, tracking indicators, checkpoints, and procedures for handling failure to meet targets. These requirements should appear in the design brief, tender documents, coordination matrix, commissioning plan, and handover documents, rather than just in a single sustainability statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Six questions to answer before finalizing the design.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Which ESG risk does the plant want to address first: energy, water, emissions, safety, or data?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Have the current and baseline energy, water, and material consumption figures been adequately measured?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Does each objective have clear metrics, responsible individuals, and verification methods?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Is the chosen solution suitable for the production process and operating schedule?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Are the equipment, infrastructure, and site conditions convenient for maintenance, expansion, and replacement?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Does the handover documentation help the developer continue to monitor ESG after the project is completed?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
ESG should be implemented according to a roadmap.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Not every factory needs to implement every solution at once. A sensible roadmap can begin with three steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Measurement:<\/strong> Survey of functionality, load, water, safety risks, and existing data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prioritize:<\/strong> Identify solutions that have a significant impact, are technically feasible, and fit within the budget.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Integration:<\/strong> Bringing requirements into design, construction, commissioning, handover, and operation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This approach helps businesses avoid investing based on trends. Solar power, BESS, water treatment systems, low-carbon materials, or BIM solutions can all be part of the roadmap, but they need to be selected based on specific data and goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclude<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ESG in plant design is not just an added decorative element after the design is complete. It's about organizing the project so that the building uses resources more efficiently, is safer for people, is easier to operate, and has more reliable data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For investors building new plants, expanding existing ones, or renovating existing ones, incorporating ESG from the survey and design stages will help reduce subsequent changes, better control lifecycle costs, and lay the foundation for future energy, environmental, and supply chain requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DATA Cons can partner with investors from surveying, preparing design requirements, functional planning, MEP coordination to construction, commissioning, and factory handover.<\/strong> Let's start by defining ESG goals that align with the project's existing production processes and data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- GHG Protocol \u2013 Guidelines for Measuring and Managing Greenhouse Gas Emissions<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- LEED v5 \u2013 a framework for decarbonization, quality of life, and ecosystem conservation.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- CBAM 2026: Designing a carbon emission reduction plant.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Energy Conservation Law 2026: Compliance or Conservation?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Solar power combined with BESS for factories: When is it worth investing?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ESG trong thi\u1ebft k\u1ebf nh\u00e0 m\u00e1y l\u00e0 b\u00e0i to\u00e1n t\u1ed5ng th\u1ec3 v\u1ec1 n\u0103ng l\u01b0\u1ee3ng, n\u01b0\u1edbc, v\u1eadt li\u1ec7u, an to\u00e0n lao \u0111\u1ed9ng v\u00e0 d\u1eef li\u1ec7u v\u1eadn h\u00e0nh. \u0110i\u1ec7n m\u1eb7t tr\u1eddi ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n trong l\u1ed9 tr\u00ecnh x\u00e2y d\u1ef1ng nh\u00e0 m\u00e1y b\u1ec1n v\u1eefng.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5186,"template":"","danh_muc_tin":[35],"class_list":["post-5181","tin_tuc","type-tin_tuc","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","danh_muc_tin-tin-nganh-xay-dung"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tin_tuc\/5181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tin_tuc"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/tin_tuc"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tin_tuc\/5181\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5188,"href":"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tin_tuc\/5181\/revisions\/5188"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5186"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"danh_muc_tin","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/datacons.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/danh_muc_tin?post=5181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- LEED v5 \u2013 a framework for decarbonization, quality of life, and ecosystem conservation.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prioritize:<\/strong> Identify solutions that have a significant impact, are technically feasible, and fit within the budget.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Measurement:<\/strong> Survey of functionality, load, water, safety risks, and existing data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n