Ping Manongdo on LinkedIn: UCFS Philippines 2024 - Aug 14, 2024 (2024)

Happy to share the first in a series of articles we are producing on #plastic #recycling #traceability and #socialimpact, with support from Plastic Bank!Please allow me a moment to underline as well the depth of reporting that went into this story, which spotlights the economics of plastics, the regulatory landscape that will impact our use of this material, and how technology plays a key role in standardising the transparency and integrity of plastic collection and recycling efforts all over the world.This is the kind of storytelling you, as our valued readers, would help us to continue producing when you support our subscription model, rolled out for the first time this year after 15 years of Eco-Business publishing purposeful journalism that is free-to-access. To continue supporting, please subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gSsh3p_GPlastic Bank is credited for having launched one of the earliest traceability systems in the plastic recycling sector. At a time when plastic credits are scrutinised for validity, tech-powered platforms may provide proof of impact, because as Rene Guarin says in this article, "Slogans are not enough. People who put their trust in purpose-driven brands want to see evidence."Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gyj8BssCJeremy ChanRobin HicksDenis Ragos TyAudrey TrinidadDebora Natalia AritonangDavid Katz

12

2 Comments

Field work gives me such a huge kick because I get to wear cool outfits like these PPEs! Capping the week with my climate innovation cup nicely filled from visiting the Energy Development Corporation's new Palayan Binary #geothermal power plant in Bacon, Sorsogon and Manito, Albay. A binary plant harnesses excess brine from a nearby main plant and uses this to generate additional energy without drilling new wells. It is based on a technology called organic rankine cycle which only means that lower-temperature steam is harvested instead of wasted. The new binary plant has added 29MW of geo power to the Luzon grid. EDC is investing in a few more all over the country where they have existing plants, to bring an additional 83MW projected capacity of geo power through this model.Happy weekend, folks!#renewableenergy #geo24x7 #climate #innovation

110

2 Comments

On June 27th, I celebrated International SMEs Day by attending the ASEAN Hong Kong China SMES Going ESG conference and workshop in Kuala Lumpur.Although individually small, SMEs collectively wield significant influence over society, the economy, and the environment.Implementing ESG practices poses challenges for SMEs owners, however, as they often face resource constraints and are compelled to focus primarily on profit generation.But as many come to understand that adopting ESG principles isn't merely a trend but an economic necessity, especially for competitiveness in international markets, the discussions at the conference focused on how SMEs can view ESG as a value creation opportunity, and what models of financing could be made available to them to support their long-term business sustainability. Are SMEs even ready to adopt this thinking, when many are just trying to make it til next year?Thank you to our gracious host, SME Corp. Malaysia for the expertly moderated panel discussions and for how well taken care of we were during our stay. As a Filipino who is proud of our culture of hospitality, I am gladly sharing the honour with my Malaysian brothers and sisters. They have gone to great lengths to extend a warm reception and extra care during our visit.The best part of attending conferences for me is always the connection I make with people whose hearts beat for the same sense of purpose! I am glad to have expanded my circle to now include new colleagues from Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and so many more!

18

2 Comments

BDO Unibank's Atty @Federico Tancongco shares his personal experiences and insights as he confronts the reality of climate change in this Q&A.In September 2009, Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana), a Category 1 storm, brought unprecedented rainfall and severe flooding to Metro Manila, including Makati, Marikina, Cainta, Antipolo, and other nearby cities. The disaster caused $1.15 billion in damages and claimed over 700 lives.Living in an upstairs apartment in Antipolo near the Marikina River, we were among the hardest hit by Ondoy’s fury. The water rose rapidly, and the family below us lost nearly all their possessions to the flood. With nothing but the clothes on their backs, they sought refuge in our apartment until the water receded a few days later.The increasing frequency of devastating storms and floods in the Philippines is a stark reminder of the impacts of human-induced climate change. Fortunately, awareness is growing about the urgent need to adapt and build resilience against these impacts.My personal experience mirrors that of Atty Fetan's in many ways. We both faced helplessness during the disaster but resolved to overcome our circ*mstances.As a mother of a two-year-old then, I knew we had to survive despite being surrounded by murky floodwaters carrying cars, snakes, slippers, baby diapers, fridges, TVs, and many a family's life savings.Such experiences ignite our resolve to take action and not succumb to the devastation. As highlighted in this feature, BDO Unibank's response to the climate crisis is a decisive step away from coal investments and towards supporting sustainable development. I hope you will be inspired by this story as much as I was. :) #climatechange #climateaction #coal #divestment #sustainablefinance https://lnkd.in/gZXg9Ncp

5

Happy World Environment Day! My humble contribution to this day was hosting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Loop Forward Expo at SM Masinag. This year's theme is #GenerationRestoration, and as we continue our fight against #plasticwaste in the Philippines, it was fitting that the DENR focused on the EPR Act of 2022. The highlight of the day was the signing of an administrative order that sets out the compliance and auditing guidelines for EPR report submissions, aligned with the Audit and Assurance Standards Council (AASC) and the Financial and Sustainability Reporting Standards Council (FSRSC).This move adds real substance to the law, improving our ability to accurately report and monitor waste diversion efforts from obliged enterprises, as we work towards an ambitious 80% diversion target by 2028.We also handed out tree seedlings to attendees, and it was so inspiring to see the youth actively engaged.Indeed, we are the generation that will restore the earth's ecosystem to a healthy balance. 🌳 🌎 ❤️ #WED2024 #LOOPFORWARD #EPR

22

1 Comment

Inspiring and brilliant video, and quite relevant for us in the Philippines given our new #ecosystem and #natural capital accounting law!It's about time we factor in nature in mainstream economics. #PayForWhatWeUse #DasguptaReview #NYT

1

In this op-ed, I present why #decarbonisation is an economic imperative, and discuss the compelling case of HB 7705 or the Philippines' Low Carbon Economy Bill. The proposed bill is a push in the right direction. Becoming sustainable businesses that grow well while lessening impact on the #climate is an ongoing journey, but a journey that must have a starting point. To further deepen this conversation, we are hosting Unlocking Capital for Sustainability 2024 in Manila on 14 August 2024. Join us and hear straight from policy leaders and newsmakers on how you can take advantage of sustainable #investment and business opportunities as the Philippines transforms into a low-carbon economy. I hope you can join us at UCFS24! Register here: https://lnkd.in/geZgUpm8#HB7705 #lowcarboneconomy #decarbonisation #netzero #sustainabledevelopment

23

Are you as excited as I am about the growth of #ESGinvesting in the Philippines? 😊 At the 2nd Philippine ESG Investors forum last week, I had a front-row seat to conversations about how banks and financial institutions in the country are investing in #climatechange and #waste.For example, BDO Unibank, the Philippines' largest bank, is funding its clients' transition from coal until only 2% of coal investment is left in its portfolio by 2033. HSBC Philippines, for its part, is helping divert #plastic #waste from the oceans by investing in Prime Infra's WTE facility in Cebu.Venture capital Gobi Partners has so far invested in 62 start-ups focused on the circular economy, and e-waste and refurbished phones are promising markets. By choosing to invest this way, it is helping divert hazardous e-waste from landfills and also lessen the carbon footprint of manufacturing consumer electronics by shifting the focus towards repair and reuse. Energy Development Corporation is investing P60 billion in geothermal exploration and development, willing to bet money on renewable energy despite the high risks at these stages.Many other of the country's banks and FIs are now offering sustainability loans where, if borrowers fit the requirement for the positive social and environmental impact of their businesses or projects, which are monitored for transparency and integrity throughout the loan duration, then the money flows.We need as much as P3.6 trillion to #decarbonise our energy, agriculture, transport, and waste sectors and deliver on the Paris Agreement commitment of 75% GHG avoidance and reduction by 2030. To galvanise more finance, regulatory support is needed. This is why the low carbon economy bill and how the Philippines can seize the economic opportunity from decarbonisation was also one of the topics we touched upon. We have yet to flesh out the meats and bones of this pending bill, and that is a topic we are continuing to explore at the Eco-Business flagship event Unlocking capital for sustainability, in Manila on 14 August 2024. Do join us as a speaker, partner, and participant! Please DM me and visit the event website for more information: https://lnkd.in/gG6cKeqyThank youEd. V. Gallinero at PCM Asia for having me moderate the sessions at last week's important forum. Shout out as well to my panel speakers for engaging even with uncomfortable questions (please tag yourselves in the photos).As long as there are honest conversations like these, I know we will accelerate the investments and action needed for good things for the planet, people, and profit to happen faster!#UCFS #unlockingcapital #ESG #sustainability #investing

61

4 Comments

I am writing this post while waiting for my bus to leave Baguio City for Manila, a journey I have been making almost weekly for 8 years now of my being with Eco-Business. Throughout these years, I have seen EB grow from strength to strength. As a team, we punched above our weight, dipped our feet in unknown waters, and responded to crises together. I have seen and learned firsthand from EB founder and managing director, Jessica Cheam, about having a steely resolve to survive every year in a very tough media landscape. This is why I am always -- always -- grateful for the organisations that believe in the #purposefuljournalism that we pursue, and partner with us to help deliver news that impact and conversations that matter. We are now expanding that opportunity for the wider community to support our work with the launch of EB's subscription plans. To test how this feels, I myself paid The Guardian a $2 monthly support beginning today. I can tell you, it's one of the best feelings I have. In a polycrises world, the work that we do at EB aims to counter doom with purpose. As we spotlight solutions, convene communities to act, and support sustainable businesses to flourish, I hope you could continue to read and engage us. Together, let's write a better future. :) #EB #sustainability #media #purposefuljournalism

36