Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative

The Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI) is WWF-Philippines’ flagship program that provides an actionable framework for organizations to operate sustainably within the paradigm of the climate crisis. The Philippines remains one of the most at-risk countries in the world for the adverse effects of climate change. However, these same risks are rife with complexity and uncertainty, and organizations typically fail to properly assess their implications. CBPI takes a holistic approach towards this pivotal issue, addressing these risks from a bespoke, science-based perspective.

THE CBPI PROCESS

The CBPI Process is composed of three key phases: Measure, Manage and Maintain.

MEASURE

The first phase of CBPI involves measuring where the company is situated in terms of sustainability. The company’s current framework and reporting structure can be readily integrated with CBPI’s Measure phase, ensuring science-based targets are in place in line with international standards and local mandates.

MANAGE

The second phase of CBPI provides the range of solutions through a detailed Roadmap needed to achieve the targets outlined in the measure phase. This phase remains highly bespoke and tailored to align with the company’s short-, medium-, and long-term strategies and capital flows. Managing these key solutions entails a robust network of both projects and solution providers, which is the purview of CBPI.

MAINTAIN

Lastly, the Maintain phase of CBPI ensures that on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis, all targets and data are assessed, considering any new factors or strategic directions that may have occurred within the year. CBPI is a continuously evolving and optimized process, and this phase ascertains that any projects or solutions undertaken in the Manage phase are on track to reach the targets set in the Measure phase.

THE CBPI TEAM

JOHN CHARLES ALTOMONTE

Leading the CBPI team, John is a prominent professional in the field of sustainability. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Ateneo de Manila University, a Research Fellow at the Global Grassroots Initiative, and sits on the board of the Clean Energy Revolution and Philippine Taxonomic Initiative. He also leads Verne Energy Solutions and a team under USAID's Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) Activity. He has a BSc in Environmental Science and a Master’s degree in Environmental Management.

KIRSTIE MAE ANGELES

Currently a CBPI Program Officer, Kirstie assists the CBPI Lead in meeting the requirements of engagements with partner companies and organizations. She has a BSc in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Environmental Management.

GISELLE LOUISE LAPID

Currently a CBPI Program Officer, Giselle assists the CBPI Lead in meeting the requirements of engagements with partner companies and organizations. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and is currently taking her MS in Geography. Giselle has previously worked with indigenous farmers and heritage product protection.

WWF NETWORK

The success of the CBPI team in meeting the requirements of the CBPI Program is further strengthened by their access to the WWF Network of experts and practitioners to assist them in fields relevant to the CBPI Phases.

OPPORTUNITIES WITH CBPI

Through CBPI, your company can:

Create an actionable and clear sustainability vision and roadmap for your company, backed up by science.
Mitigate climate-related risks for your company.
Contribute to the overall target of the Philippines on the path towards sustainability and resilience.

Together we can #ChangeTheEnding!

CBPI PARTNERS

WWF-Philippines works with the corporate sector to lead on rapid adaptation and innovate solutions needed to drive change to ensure that natural resources and ecosystems that underpin their business are used sustainably. By working with businesses, WWF-Philippines helps them develop progressive strategies and sustainable approaches to address their key environmental impacts and risks; set ambitious targets; and map out their journey towards sustainability.

NEO

CBPI ENGAGEMENT STATUS

Measure - Completed
Manage - Pipeline

OUTCOMES AND UPDATES

The Measure phase of CBPI was conducted as a pilot project with the NEO Group. This has built a strong foundation from which the NEO Group can continue to pave the way as sustainable champions in the Philippines.

Developed a sustainability reporting framework, collecting baseline data.

The framework was developed in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Standards, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. The framework also remains compliant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) mandate for annual sustainability reporting.

Conducted materiality assessment.

A materiality assessment was conducted based on the sustainability reporting framework and NEO’s sustainability strategy. This was done in accordance with the GRI principles for materiality.

Comprehensive sustainability target-setting.

Ambitious sustainability targets were committed to, including SBTi’s Net-Zero Standard.

Initial Sustainability Report

A sustainability report was prepared for the NEO group using the collected baseline data, through the sustainability reporting framework that was initially created. An assessment of current data was presented, outlining initial next steps for the succeeding phase of CBPI (Manage).

The sustainability report is currently being redesigned into a coffee table book style document through the efforts of the NEO and WWF communications teams. This approach ensures that the information is presented more effectively to the tenants of NEO properties, the selected target audience for this document.

SCIENCE-BASED TARGETS AND COMMITMENTS

NEO’s Key Commitment

Under the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, the company has set ambitious interim targets of achieving Net Zero energy by 2025 and an overall 50% reduction of carbon emissions from assets within direct control by 2030.

NEO is aligned with the Urban Land Institute Greenprint’s Net Zero Carbon Goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve Net Zero carbon by the year 2050.

Sustainability Targets

Net Zero Carbon Emissions

Maintain 100% dependence on renewable energy and account for all energy including diesel and LPG. Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions in line with a 1.5 degrees scenario as well as undergo full Scope 38 screening and target. Include suppliers and customers in actions towards climate change mitigations, especially in adopting science-based reduction solutions.

Water Performance

Utilize easy-to-test parameters in assessing water quality for human contact.

Minimum Indoor Air Quality

Provide adequate ventilation to minimize indoor air quality concerns.

Health and Well-Being Supportive Designs

Include features or modify designs to facilitate all types of movement, including physical activity and exercise. Assist stakeholders to make informed food choices through labeling and allergy information as well as raising accessibility to fruits and vegetables. Encourage ergonomic workstation design. Further, integrate visual comfort and acoustic disturbance prevention in building design.

Community

Promote deeper understanding of WELL features to tenants and other stakeholders. Initiate and hold a collaborative project process and aid to collective well-being and sustainability goals. Conduct emergency drills to equip tenants and employees in emergency situations.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

NEWS & EVENTS

WWF-Philippines congratulates NEO for pioneering EDGE Zero Carbon Certification

NEO, a Filipino real estate development company recently launched its inaugural Sustainability Report. One of the report highlights is the company’s achievement as the world’s first recipient of the International Finance Corporation’s EDGE Zero Carbon certification.

The certification is given to companies who commit to at least 40% energy savings through energy efficiency, carbon offsets, and renewable energy use within a given timeline.

WWF-Philippines in response to the launch of the report lauds this milestone achievement. “This is a big win for sustainability in the country and highlights how a Filipino company can lead at the global stage as well. A real-estate company in one of the world’s most climate vulnerable nations putting ESG at the forefront serves as a beacon for others in similar circumstances,” shared John Charles Altomonte, WWF-Philippines Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI) Lead.

WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio commends NEO for being a model to others in the real estate industry and a flagbearer of corporate sustainability.

“NEO has shown what it means to walk the talk. They’ve achieved a world first EDGE Zero certification and have retrofitted their portfolio of buildings to align with their sustainability commitments. The level of transparency and accountability NEO demonstrates in its sustainability efforts is not often seen in the country and WWF-Philippines is glad to have assisted in a small part in the process through our Corporates for a Better Planet initiative (CBPI). The people who make up the NEO group, their customers, partners, and investors should be proud.”

As the effects of the climate crisis continue to prove that businesses and economies cannot thrive on a dying planet, the private sector must accelerate transformation towards sustainability. CBPI is WWF-Philippines' program to engage with corporations on their sustainability journeys, using an actionable framework and metrics aligned with the global standards such as the Science Based Targets Initiative among others.

WWF x Sustainability Summit 2022

We are in a race against time. The IPCC report published in August 2021 reminds us that the window to limit warming to 1.5°C is rapidly closing. The UNFCCC Synthesis Report, which analyses the effect of current nationally determined contributions, raises concerns about the scale and pace of the ambition and action needed. It highlights that the world is on a pathway to 2.7°C global warming, and that emissions will actually increase by 16% by 2030 compared to 2010 levels.

The business sector has a key role in fulfilling if the world is to succeed in securing a 1.5C future. Besides reducing emissions, collective effort is needed to deliver on adaptation and protecting and restoring ecosystems to help people and nature cope with and build resilience to impacts. Our economy and human well-being depend on nature and the goods and services that healthy natural systems provide therefore the environmental agenda can no longer be seen as separate from human, social and economic development.

WWF and SM are launching a Climate Summit because they believe that, amidst all the challenges, there is still a chance to keep global warming to 1.5 ̊C if we work together on accelerating climate action- reflecting the latest science- and driving a transition that leaves no one behind.

Goals of the Summit

Celebrate progress in the business sector’s efforts towards NET ZERO/Nature positive, positioning sustainability leadership on equal footing with industry leadership
Demonstrate how different companies with different starting points/journeys to NET ZERO/NATURE POSITIVE can learn from each other’s efforts and leapfrog.
Build a community of leaders committed to drive ambitious climate action in the Philippines (leading towards a future Alliance for Climate Action)

Ultimately the summit aims to accelerate the transformation towards sustainability in a climate-defined future.

CONTACT US

Let’s talk! If you have any questions or would like to know more about the CBPI Program, our team would be happy to meet with you. Feel free to reach us by email:

John Charles Altomonte | jaltomonte@wwf.org.ph