Aboitiz joins private sector in championing ‘ecosystem-based adaptation’
The Aboitiz Group, along with other industry stakeholders, voiced its support for a more sustainable approach to business continuity at the “Private Sector Workshop on Business & Ecosystem-based Adaptation” hosted by the global sustainable development advisory firm Earth Security Group, Philippine Business for the Environment, and the Asian Institute of Management.
Held earlier this month at the Aboitiz Corporate Center in Bonifacio Global City, the workshop gathered key stakeholders from the private sector to collaborate for ecosystem-based adaptation, an approach that uses natural ecosystems, natural systems and the services that they provide to adapt to climate change. These include protective services, regulatory services, water and air filtration, flood and storm protection which are key items for business continuity.
“There is a unanimous feel in this country of wanting to do more, of wanting to have greater business value and investments, and wanting to leverage on what policymakers are doing, and change the minds and efforts of the public on a greater national scale. We’re already seeing companies like Aboitiz that are new in this space that are stepping in and trying to lead some of the emerging efforts here,” remarked Alejandro Litovsky, Earth Security Group founder and chief executive officer.
The Aboitiz Group has made significant contributions to ecosystem-based adaptation in recent years, particularly in carbon emissions reduction.
To date, its A-Park initiative has sequestered 119,500 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from six million trees planted across the country. This surpasses the 52,000 tons CO2e Aboitiz emitted in 2017, and puts the company on track to planting nine million trees by 2020.
Groupwide, the Aboitiz Group also notched a carbon productivity rate of P390,000 revenue earned per ton CO2e and recycled 32 tons of waste material.
“Taking care of our one and only planet and reducing our impact together sends across a united message: that we in Aboitiz are a strong force for environmental and societal good. Together, we make a big difference in starting and sustaining the change needed for the years to come,” Erramon I. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, said.
The Aboitiz Group’s newest business unit Weather Solutions, Inc. (the country’s first weather-centric social enterprise) has begun helping communities through historical and real-time weather data, forecasting, and partnering with organizations across various industries.
