ALI allots 450 hectares for carbon neutrality

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Land Inc (ALI), the property development arm of the Ayala Group, is dedicating nearly 500 hectares for its planned carbon forests.

The move is in line with plans to achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2022.

ALI sustainability manager Anna Maria Gonzales said the company has chosen five sites within or adjacent to existing ALI developments, covering a total of 450 hectares, that will serve as “carbon forests” using the assisted natural regeneration (ANR) approach.

“Through the ANR, we are nurturing the ability of the area to bounce back and grow on its own and protecting what is naturally growing there. This is a circular system enhanced by planting other species,” Gonzales said in a briefing yesterday.

The five sites are in Lio in Palawan, Sicogon in Iloilo, Alaminos in Laguna, Kan-Irag in Cebu and Talomo in Davao.

The forest sites will be integrated into the estate’s masterplan as part of the developments’ nature trail areas.

The ANR method, which originated in Bohol and is now widely used in the ASEAN region, focuses on human protection and preservation of natural trees through forest regrowth and intensive planting of native species found on-site.

ALI’s carbon forests are expected to augment the company’s total carbon emission reduction by 20 percent year-on-year.

“This year, our combined activities can reduce emissions by 50 percent and by 2022, we will be able to offset and reduce our emissions by 100 percent from all of our approaches, one of which is forest protection and regeneration,” Gonzales said.

The Philippines remains one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.

Other than forest regeneration, ALI is implementing passive cooling design in its developments, energy efficiency and renewable energy sourcing to reach carbon neutrality.

ALI also partnered with the Center for Conservation Innovations Inc. for the conduct of a study that determined the baseline carbon stock in the carbon forest sites and the identification of the best protection and enhancement approach to maximize the carbon storage potential for each site.

ANR initiatives are activities that support forest regrowth through protection, tending of diverse native wildings found on site, and enhancement planting of other indigenous species.

ALI has a total of 25 estates and is present in 55 growth areas nationwide. It has five residential brands, namely Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, Avida, Amaia, and BellaVita, that cover a broad segment of the housing market.