Aboitiz on track with 9 million trees goal by 2020
True to its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and minimize its environmental impact, the Aboitiz Group disclosed that they are on track in reaching its nine million trees target by 2020, after planting a total of 6.6 million trees (or 73% of the target) as of 2018 through its Simultaneous Tree Planting (STP) initiative.
STP is under A-Park – the group’s largest environmental program that supports the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Expanded National Greening Program (ENGP). In time for the celebration of World Environment Day on June 5, Aboitiz and DENR signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) as a renewal of partnership to sustain ecological balance.
The planting of nine million trees by the end of 2020 would mean the conversion of an estimated 189,000 tons of carbon dioxide (tCO2) into oxygen or the equivalent of about 9,000 hectares of lush reforested areas, or more than 37 times the size of Bonifacio Global City.
“I express my heartfelt thanks to Aboitiz Equity Ventures and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. for teaming up with the DENR once again for the attainment of nine million trees under the A-Park Project by 2020,” said DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.
“It is heartening to know that working towards your corporate objective would also mean addressing poverty alleviation by engaging the services of the local people in forest activities like seedling production, plantation establishment, and maintenance and protection, among others,” he added.
Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sabin M. Aboitiz reiterated the group’s commitment to DENR’s programs.
“We strongly believe and adhere to the DENR’s mandate to protect the environment and we anchor our initiatives to the ENGP to sustain ecological balance. Our enduring partnership with the DENR for community-based forest management is a testament to our shared responsibility and highlights our contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on Climate Action,” said Aboitiz.
Since 2010, Aboitiz team member volunteers gather in chosen planting sites in various parts of the country to plant indigenous trees 一 a manifestation of their commitment to environmental stewardship. Aboitiz is currently one of DENR’s active ENGP partners.
“This MOA signing is a crucial step towards ensuring continuity in making a positive impact on our national development. It represents the essence of the Aboitiz Group purpose and brand promise: to drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities,” Aboitiz added.
This July, the Aboitiz Group will further contribute to A-Park at its annual STP activity where an estimated 95,000 seedlings will be planted by Aboitiz team members and stakeholders nationwide.
Under the MOA, DENR will offer additional support by mobilizing all its bureaus, attached agencies, and DENR regional offices to provide support for the implementation of the A-Park project; providing technical assistance in identifying possible site, for planting and species-site matching; and assisting in the documentation of planted trees, which includes geo-tagging, plantation registry, and mapping, among others.
The Aboitiz Group is investing almost half a billion pesos as part of its carbon management program. Other environmental programs include waste reduction through the group’s “Race to Reduce” program and the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, home to the critically endangered hawksbill turtle or pawikan. All these programs are strategically implemented among all Aboitiz business units.
