Creating partnerships for sustainability

MANILA, Philippines - When private corporations collaborate with other sectors of the economy such as the government or other corporations, the result is oftentimes positive.

One company that pursues collaborative action is energy giant Royal Dutch Shell.  It has pioneered collaborative action on sustainability projects in the Philippines.

For instance, it spearheaded the so-called Automated Weather Station (AWS) network project, which focused on updating and expanding the existing AWS network of partner climate research institution Manila Observatory, together with Smart Communications.

Under the urban and resilience project, the Manila Observatory provides technical analysis of weather and climate data while Smart provides free connectivity for wireless data transmission.

The overall aim is to help enhance risk and resilience analysis on weather and climate in key cities, especially coastal cities most at risk to climate change impacts.

Shell, as its partner, offered strategically located retail stations and depots as sites for installation of the AWS devices, which provide near real time weather data in a specific location such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction.

Another area of collaboration toward achieving water resilience is the formation of the Water Alliance – a private sector-led consortium that pools together top leaders of the leading corporations in the country.

It is envisioned to become the platform for companies to discuss issues on water security and access.

Convened by the Philippine Business for Social Progress, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Water Alliance will rehabilitate critical watersheds and adopt measures to lower water footprint such as the treatment of wastewater at industry levels and to build the capacity of water service providers.

These collaborative projects were showcased in this year’s Powering Progress Together (PPT) forum organized by Shell and held at the Manila Hotel last March.

This year’s forum is the third and final leg and as in the previous years, Shell’s PPT got the audience thinking on how they can contribute to make the world a better place amid the rising demand for water, food and energy.

In 2014, Shell’s PPT discussed the stress nexus and explored how people can all work together to survive, adapt and grow in a volatile world.

In 2015, the forum raised the question on what the world would look like in 2050. It focused on environmental and urban resilience and presented innovative solutions, particularly in the face of rapid urbanization, resource stresses and climate impacts.

There were discussions that covered various topics: Energy Transitions and the Climate Change; Cases of Low-Carbon Technologies; Solutions for Resilience and the Dynamics of Innovation, Art and the Environment.

Shell chief climate change adviser David Hone

On the rapidly moving climate change, Shell International chief Climate Change adviser David Hone said it is important for countries including the Philippines to prepare for energy transitions.

“Energy transition is not something that will happen in a month, a year or a decade. Our children and grand children will continue to experience it,” he said.

One concrete example on how to prepare for a better environment for future generations is for the Philippines to implement carbon tax, Hone said.

“This is something that needs to be implemented globally,” said the Climate Change expert, adding that governments have to have a public policy to deliver a cost for emitting carbon emissions.

“This is arguably the single most important step that can be taken,” Hone said.

Furthermore, he said to limit the accumulation of carbon dioxide, there should be an end to fossil carbon extraction or utilization and the implementation of carbon capture and storage.

Thus, he stressed, there should be government support for carbon dioxide capture and storage, sustainable agriculture including biomass and government-led carbon pricing mechanism.

There should also be sector-targeted research and development, effective urban development and end-use efficiency to address consumption and high-energy demand.

Edvin Aldrian, a research professor at the Center for Research and Development at the Agency for Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics in Indonesia echoed the same sentiment.

“Let’s change our way of life. The human influence on the climate system is clear,” Aldrian said.

“The more we disrupt our climate, the more we risk severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts,” he said.

Aldrian urged for a substantial and sustain reduction in carbon emissions as a means to address climate change.

“We have the means to limit climate change and build a more prosperous and sustainable future,” he said.

Father Jose Ramon Villarin S.J., president of the Ateneo de Manila University, captured it best when he explained what sustainability is in his keynote address.

“Sustainability means leaving something for our children,” he said.

He said that just like us, future generations would need food, water, energy, air and land.

“This means we can’t behave like guests at the Mad Hatters’ tea party, polishing off one plate and moving on to the next. We need to act responsibly, leaving something for another day,” Fr. Villarin said.

The forum also highlighted concrete collaborations toward sustainability, climate resilience and disaster risk management project.

 “We’re not reinventing the wheel. It’s about how we can bring parties together to come up with our objective of a sustainable future. We’re consistent about sustainability. It’s really part of our business principles. It’s always been collaboration,” Shell Philippine country chairman Edgar Chua said.

In closing, Simon Henry, Shell chief financial officer emphasized the importance of collaboration.

 “Collaboration is important because it helps challenge assumptions. When you go back home, share your stories. Let’s all continue repeating the mantra that we have to work together. Hopefully, we will encourage more and more partnerships in the future, which in turn will help ensure that a sustainable future becomes a reality for everyone,” Henry said.