By Marinel E. Peroy
The European Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ECCP) has been appointed as the official Accelerator for the Race to Zero campaign in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, it was announced during a media briefing on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS, Chamber Executive Director Florian Gottein described ECCP’s Race to Zero campaign as sustainable and forward-looking, highlighting the Chamber’s global network with its own 24 different advocacy committees that follow sustainable practices such as sustainability, agriculture, and food and beverages.
Gottein said 70 percent of the over 14,500 non-State actors participating in the global Race to Zero campaign are European companies.
The global campaign seeks to take rigorous and immediate action to reach net zero by 2050.
Gottein said that ECCP is encouraging its members to not only invest here in the Philippines but also adhere to certain sustainable standards and implement those business models effectively.
Additionally, the campaign aims to raise funds to support activities in line with the Race to Zero roadmap, including data mapping, impact measurement, net zero initiatives, community initiatives, policy support, and the fostering of public-private partnerships—all towards the path of halving emissions by 2030.
ECCP will align with Race to Zero’s 5Ps: pledge, plan, proceed, publish, and persuade, ensuring that initiatives encourage stakeholders to meet these criteria. Also, ECCP will support Climate Champions’ 2030 Climate Solutions and Breakthroughs to promote sector-specific advancements.
As an accelerator, ECCP would lead in advocating for and coordinating meaningful climate action across the region through the following: a) supporting businesses in setting and achieving their net-zero targets; b) fostering innovation that drives sustainable solutions; c) building platforms for knowledge-sharing and collaboration; and d) advocating for sustained and immediate action on climate change.
Gottein said that a pilot project of The Race to Zero Waste: A Call for Collective Action for Sustainable Waste Management will be expected in Q4 of 2024, alongside training and workshops.
“We have to engage. We have to be at the forefront—to be better like-minded individuals and organizations. Because if we don’t do it now, what world are we going to hand over to our children and our friendship?” he added.
Moreover, key speakers present at Ascott BGC include Commissioner Albert P. Dela Cruz Sr., the Climate Change Commission; Dr. Diana Edralin, ECCP Vice President and General Manager of Roche Philippines; Dr. Glenda Antonio, CEO of Spring Rain Global; Francis Macatulad, Executive Director of the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST); and Dawn Cabigon, ECCP’s Net Zero Campaign Manager. Jane Eisenhardt, Engagement and Accelerator Manager for Race to Zero-Climate Champions Team, also gave a virtual message.
Be part of the Race to a Zero-Carbon future!
Join ECCP’s Race to Zero in the PH Summit “Accelerating the Philippines’ Path to Net Zero” eventon October 10, 2024, in Ascott BGC, Taguig City.
Interested in joining? Register here.
