The Climate Change Commission (CCC) and Ayala Corp. pushed for the integration of corporate and public sector initiatives in the climate agenda to strengthen partnerships among key stakeholders in addressing adverse weather conditions.
The effort builds on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) both parties signed earlier this year, which stressed the importance of public-private collaboration for transformative climate action.
In a recent coordination meeting with company executives at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City,
Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, vice chairperson and executive director of the CCC, highlighted the need to enhance climate resilience, especially in the areas of planning and adaptation strategy implementation.
“Extreme weather events are hitting us harder, so it is important, as the President says, to be better prepared,” said Borje, referring to the pronouncement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Mr. Marcos noted that weather events worldwide were becoming more extreme, adding that the country’s geographical location made the Filipinos highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
The CCC presented key components of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation Plan (NDCIP), outlining their roles in the country’s climate strategy.
The NAP serves as a guide for adaptation strategies, focusing on addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. The NDCIP, meanwhile, aims for 75 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions covering sectors such as agriculture, waste, industry, transportation and energy.
“Under the guidance of the President, we emphasize the importance of localizing the NAP and NDCIP. We need partnerships that translate these plans into actions with deep impact. The private sector plays a crucial role in helping us move faster and better through pragmatic work programs,” Borje said.
Representatives from various Ayala business units, including Ayala Land Inc, ACEN Corp., Globe Telecom Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands and Ayala Foundation, shared their initiatives and commitment to sustainability. CCC News
“We are pleased to see our business units fully represented here today. The potential outcomes of this collaboration are crucial for our collective efforts in combating climate change,” said Jaime Urquijo, chief sustainability officer of Ayala Corp..
ACEN, Ayala’s renewable energy arm, shared updates on its renewable energy projects, targeting a 20-gigawatt renewable capacity by 2030. Key projects include the 500-megawatt Zambales solar plant and various wind farms in Ilocos Norte.
ACEN cited its partnerships with international entities, like the Rockefeller Foundation and efforts to retire coal plants early through the Energy Transition Mechanism. CCC News
