Manila Water reveals ESG goals

MANILA, Philippines — Razon-led Manila Water Co. Inc. has released its medium term sustainability targets that outlines its progress and plans on embedding Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) into their business strategies.

In a statement yesterday, Manila Water unveiled the first series of its medium-term sustainability goals that it plans to achieve by 2025.

One of these goals is to reduce and avoid scopes one and two carbon emissions by 60 percent through renewable energy and wastewater treatment.

According to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standards, scope one emissions refer to direct emissions from owned and controlled sources, while scope two are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy.

Manila Water also plans to build infrastructures to satisfy service commitments and improvements by 2025.

Also part of its medium-term targets is to ensure water access and security by allocating at least 15 percent supply buffer from expansion and additional raw water sources.

Manila Water said the ESG goals highlight its belief that long-term viability is dependent on management of environmental impacts and commitment to improve social outcomes in the communities it serves.

“We have re-imagined the company with a new purpose, vision and mission. We are drawing on our heritage as an industry pioneer in sustainability practices and reporting to further focus on and embed ESG into our business strategies,” said Manila Water president and CEO Jocot de Dios.

“This very same foundation will continue to support us as we aim for greater and better things, and as we pursue our vision to become a global leader in providing quality water and environmental services, supportive of sustainable development,” he said.

Manila Water has already made headway with its medium-term targets, specifically on using green or renewable energy (RE).

Last year, the company utilized 13.8 million kilowatt hours (kwh) of RE using onsite solar panels and purchasing RE from Open Access.

In addition to forging progress towards its environmental goal, the company formed its ESG committee at the board level earlier this year.