MANILA, Philippines - The Lopez Group’s First Gen Corp. surely walks the talk. Since taking on a bold stance against the use of coal in the Philippines in May last year because of the need to address the impact of climate change in the country and the rest of the world, the Lopez Group has matched this with concrete actions, taking in partners for such initiatives.
“I’m certain that without having to look too far, this country already has energy alternatives that do not mortgage the future of our children and the future of our planet,” First Philippine Holdings chairman Federico Lopez said during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting in May 2016.
Thus early last month, First Gen Energy Solutions Inc., the licensed Retail Electricity Supplier subsidiary of First Gen signed a power purchase agreement with Unilever Philippines for the supply of renewable energy to Unilever’s Paco and Pasig facilities.
The power purchase deal between the two companies, signed last May 2, will enable 100 percent of Unilever Philippines’ operations to be powered by clean and sustainable sources of energy.
The switch to renewable sources of energy for its Paco and Pasig facilities provides Unilever with sustainable, secure and stable energy, its top official said.
“The partnership between Unilever and First Gen Energy Solutions underscores our commitment to sustainable manufacturing operations. We continually improve the way we manufacture, distribute and operate so that we can positively impact our customers, communities and environment,” said Unilever Philippines chairman and CEO Benjie Yap.
Unilever Philippines and First Gen Energy Solutions have earlier signed a power purchase agreement for Unilever’s Cavite facility to be 100 percent powered by geothermal energy.
These measures are part of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, which includes a bold ambition to be carbon positive in its operations by 2030, with 100 percent of energy requirements coming from renewable sources.
Lopez welcomed such moves.
“I admire the strategic stance taken by Unilever because it takes a steadfast, long-term vision and discipline to stay the course – committed to sustainability in a world where shareholders, competitors and other stakeholders place so much short-term pressure on revenues, returns, net income and share prices to the point that there’s so much emphasis on doing wrong things for society and the planet and subsequently green washing it away with nicer words and ad campaigns,” he said.
Lopez said that as a group, they believe that it’s possible to develop as a nation and uplift the lives from poverty without destroying the common home and planet in the process.
He lauded Unilever’s plan to be carbon positive by 2030, to source 100 percent of energy across operations from renewable energy by 2030, to have all grid based electricity sourced from renewable energy by 2020 and eliminate coal in the energy mix by 2020.
“Consider us kindred spirits and even partners on your continuing journey to make the world a better place,” Lopez said.
Yap, meanwhile, said sustainability is not just a buzzword for the company.
“We have organized ourselves around a strong commitment to meet people’s everyday needs while creating a brighter future for everyone. To create lasting positive impact necessarily means that we must be mindful of everyone we do – including choosing the sources of energy that don’t compromise present or future generations of Filipinos to power our operations,” Yap said.