The Philippines is one of the countries that is prone to disaster risk. Thus, there is a need to enhance our capacity to respond, bounce back and adapt to intensifying climate impacts, and this should be a nationwide priority and shared responsibility.
"Any program that aims to build climate resilience requires strong partnership and working together across all sectors," said World-Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-PH) Executive Director Katherine Custodio during the breakout session at the Annual Conference of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities- Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024).
"There is definite opportunity for platforms or networks to come together and bring life to our national policies and our commitments, but for these to succeed, there needs to be sincere effort and openness to work across different sectors and disciplines," added Custodio. The session on creating connections and partnerships was hosted by Jonas Marie Dumdum, Sr. Consultant and Sustainability Service Lead of Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Manila Branch. "Finding the right champions within the company- that's very important. It helps to engage the leaders from the top."
WWF-Philippines and SM Prime have partnered on successful programs such as the YOUth are the Future, the annual Earth Hour campaign with SM Supermalls, Sm Hotel's Sustainable Diner and the Hamilo Coast Sustainable Development project that's now in its 14th year.
"At SM Prime, we dream big for our shared future. True prosperity transcends financial success. Our commitment to developing sustainable integrated properties is matched by our efforts to foster vibrant, inclusive communities wherever we build legacy properties that weather the challenges of time and that last for generations," said Jessica Bianca Sy, Lead Executive for Design, Innovation and Strategy for SM Prime and SM Development Corporation (SMDC).
SM Prime believes that taking the right climate action must be grounded in science and endeavor to transition to a net-zero economy. SM Prime's partnership with WWF-PH ensures that its near and long-term science-based targets for 20230 and 2040, align with the global commitment to achieve net zero by 2050.
"WWF-PH is pleased to work with SM Prime on their decarbonization efforts through our Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI) program. Companies such as SM Prime are guided in identifying climate-related risks, working on a roadmap, and publicly committing to their science-based targets," added Custodio. "Change does not happen overnight. This is something we have learned in our work with communities all over the country. True partners are willing to work together for a long time, and actively listen to each other. When your project positively impacts people's livelihood and well-being- when people's lives in a durable way, that's when you know you've created an impact."
SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of millions of people. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and onward to building sustainable cities of the future.
The 7th APRU-SCL 2024 is hosted and organized by UPLB at the SMX Aura Convention Center last August 6-8, 2024.
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