Arthaland, the leading sustainable developer in the nation, has formed a collaboration with EB Impact, a non-profit committed to providing training and initiatives that promote the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across Singapore and the broader Asia Pacific area. EB Impact operates as the sister organization of Eco-Business, the largest media and business intelligence entity in Asia Pacific focusing on sustainable development and ESG performance.
Arthaland backed EB Impact in organizing the Philippines workshop as part of Sustainability Media Academy Season Two. This initiative, spearheaded by EB Impact, offers journalists and editors across the Asia Pacific region essential resources, connections, and knowledge to enhance their coverage of sustainable development topics. The overarching goal is to elevate awareness of intricate sustainable development issues in the region while fostering higher levels of trust and quality discourse within the media. Season Two kicked off with a Singapore Masterclass, drawing over 60 participants from 11 countries, followed by three satellite workshops held in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
“We found Arthaland the perfect strategic partner given its strong commitment to building sustainably and responsibly. It holds the distinction of being the first real estate developer in Asia to sign the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Commitment, pledging to achieve net zero emissions across their operational development portfolio by 2030", said Ping Manongdo, Country Director, Philippines and Associate Director, Partnerships of Eco-Business.
This represents EB Impact's inaugural hosting of the academy in the Philippines, with the Arthaland Century Pacific Tower (ACPT) selected as their venue partner. ACPT holds the distinction of being the world’s first EDGE Zero Carbon certified building, showcasing a steadfast dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The workshop boasted a diverse array of participants hailing from media outlets, non-governmental organizations, corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, local government units, and academic institutions. This eclectic mix underscores the widespread significance of sustainability across diverse sectors.
The first session delved into understanding climate change and sustainable development in the Philippines, led by Hannah Fernandez from Eco-Business. It examined the significance of climate change locally and strategies for mitigation. The discussion shifted to the media’s pivotal role in addressing climate change and sustainable development challenges. Participants shared insights into reporting hurdles and uncovered lesser-known issues. Practical exercises aimed at simplifying complex data and detecting greenwashing were also included.
Following that, Ping Manongdo facilitated sessions focusing on sustainability and ESG. One session, titled an ESG Masterclass, delved into essential terms and classifications, tracing the evolution from CSR to ESG. In another session, the discussion centered on the intersection between business and media, emphasizing their shared responsibility in spotlighting corporate sustainability initiatives. The workshop concluded with a fireside chat moderated by Ping Manongdo, delving into the transition to Net Zero by Arthaland and Cebu Pacific.
Through its portfolio of highly successful, sustainable, and exceptional developments, Arthaland has demonstrated the effectiveness of green building practices and is encouraging other developers to follow suit. The company is spearheading the movement towards green construction by consistently aiming for and achieving the highest green building certifications for all its projects. On the other hand, Cebu Pacific has pledged its commitment to the resolution passed by member airlines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) during the 77th IATA Annual General Meeting in Boston, USA, on 4 October 2021. This commitment entails achieving net-zero carbon emissions from all its operations by 2050.
