HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPEVINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL
On Nov. 23-24, you’ll be able to stream the first ever Manila Bulletin Sustainability Forum, and it promises to be a real eye-opener in terms of showcasing the diverse touch points by which sustainability can be a part of our lives. And how these touch points exist in an accessible manner for us to appreciate, support, and subscribe to. Ever since the UN adopted the 17 Sustainability Development Goals in 2015, and placed 2030 targets for carbon emission neutrality, and improving economic opportunity and quality of life; nations, companies and persons of influence have championed sustainability as the most effective blueprint for improving the state of “people and the planet.”
Now I’m not going to pass myself off as some sustainability expert. In fact, I’ll be the first to admit that my sustainability journey really began in earnest late last year. I was aware of the 17 SDG’s as a concept that existed out there, but to ask me to enumerate a number of them, or even know what makes for an ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) agenda, would have stumped me.
I knew what sustainable meant; and so I mistakenly presumed, given the limited literature and reports on sustainability I was exposed to, that it had mostly to do with the environment and climate control. The truth is that only around five to six of the 17 goals directly impact the environment, and that did come as a surprise.
So it quickly dawned on me that perhaps a number of us out there don’t fully understand what sustainability really represents, or appreciate the urgency with which we all should adopt these goals in some form or another. Even if on a soft impact basis, and with the realization that our country is one of the more vulnerable or notorious when it comes to issues of climate control and plastic waste; we really owe it to ourselves, our children, and our children’s children, to gain a better sustainability perspective, and support those who champion it here.
The poster for the upcoming first Manila Bulletin Sustainability Forum.
This all served as an impetus for us mounting this forum. Most of the sustainability webinars or forums I’ve participated in as an observer, would be organized by a particular industry leader, and the speakers would all come from said industry, with the presumption that most of the audience are already sustainability advocates. As a result, the discussions would often be esoteric and/or of a technical nature.
What makes the Manila Bulletin Sustainability Forum unique is that we purposely sought out representation from a myriad of industries, brands, retail products, and areas of common interest. We asked the speakers to bring it back to basics at the start of their talks, explaining that the forum was purposely conceived to educate, and open the eyes of, a general public. Plus we were hoping that MSME’s would be part of the audience, cherry-picking the topics and speakers that would resonate with them.
I’m aware that of late, there’s been something of a backlash to ESG agendas in particular countries. In the USA, it’s even been politicized, such that sustainability and ESG agendas are now associated with companies that are identified with the Democrat party, and those aligned with the Republican party are insisting that ESG agendas have nothing to do with the “running of business.”
And yes, there is the argument that a lot of what falls under the ESG agenda of any company would have been subsumed under their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives. But for lack of a better, comprehensive blueprint; the 17 SDG’s and the ESG agenda call to action do provide us with a framework that goes beyond how CSR’s would have been activated.
As of printing, the most recent contract signing with one of our Forum sponsors, and speakers, Arthaland. From left: your columnist, Angelina Magsanoc - Arthaland vice president, Ruben Bulaong - MB SAVP for Advertsing, Jimmy González - Arthaland vice chairman and president, Oliver Chan - Arthaland senior vice president, and Jordan Tan - MB Business development manager.
More often than not, the CSR template would have had a company picking one or two advocacies. With ESG, there’s the constant reminder of how all three have to be addressed in some way or another, if the company is to responsibly care for its own people, it’s consumers, and the planet.
Co-presenting the MB Sustainability Forum are Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Wilcon Depot. Our sponsors include City of Dreams, Arthaland, BPI, Filinvest City, ICTSI, Grohe, Megaworld, SM Investments, Watsons, and AirSpeed. Plus we have SGV as our technical adviser. I’m truly grateful to these companies for supporting us in this endeavor.
When I would present the deck detailing the forum’s concept, I was fully aware that these companies mount their own sustainability campaigns. So I’m happy that they understood how ours would be different, bringing diversity and inclusivity to the forefront. Do look out for the forum invite on the MB Facebook page, and register. With understanding will come a better appreciation of why there is such an urgency to rally behind the Sustainability Development Goals now.