Globe accelerates shift to RE

Ayala-led Globe has been ramping up its shift to renewable energy (RE) technologies with the latest addition of its Iloilo facility in its portfolio of green energy users. Following this switch on energy usage, the company indicated that 25 of its facility-sites are now powered by clean energy – and its game plan on accessing power supply has been via the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) that has been institutionalized by policies set forth by the Department of Energy. “This is part of the company's Climate Action Strategy and in line with the Ayala Group's commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 and the country's carbon emission reduction target,” the company said. The Ayala group had cast its mid-century net zero goal across its businesses – and that had been anchored on the four scoping metrics prescribed under the GHG Protocol, which sets the standards, guidance, tools as well as training for businesses and government institutions to assess and manage climate-warming emissions. Apart from its Iloilo asset, the other RE-powered facilities of Globe are those in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Tarlac and Cebu; as well as several sites in Metro Manila, including those in Caloocan, Makati, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Quezon City, San Juan and its head office at the Fort Bonifacio business district in Taguig. As emphasized by Rizza Eala, chief financial officer (CFO) and chief risk officer (CRO) of Globe, “by shifting our high energy utilization facilities to renewable energy sources, we are contributing to the Philippines’ efforts to support the country’s sustainable energy agenda and address the associated risks of climate change.” Toward that end, she noted that the company “will continue to explore partnerships and innovative solutions that will enable us to reduce our carbon footprint and minimize our impact on the environment.” Beyond RE-leaning power usage as its trump card, Globe conveyed that it is also “exploring alternative energy solutions to reduce reliance on traditional diesel gensets and electricity from the grid, such as solar hybrid gensets and onsite solar panels.” Relative to the various GHG Protocol scopes on accomplishing net zero goal, Globe specified that it has  “engaged business partners, vendors, suppliers, and customers to ensure that sustainable practices are adopted and promoted across its value chain.” Scope 2 of the GHG Protocol, in particular, covers a corporate entity’s purchase of electricity that it will use in its chain of operations, hence, that could refer to the retail electricity supplier (RES) providing its power requirements. Additionally, under scope 3, this could delve with aspired emissions reduction from assets that are not owned or controlled by the company, hence, that could cover its suppliers, contractors, vendors as well as customers. Gerard Ortines, head of Network Solutions and Capex Management at Globe, enthused that “sustainability is everyone's responsibility, and we are committed to working with our partners and customers to achieve our common goal of a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a positive impact on the environment and build a better world for future generations.” Globe explained that since the kick-off of its decarbonization jaunt in 2019, its strategy on underwriting power supply agreements had always been tied to verifiable carbon offsets – hence, its go-to green solution has always been renewable energy as supplied by its RES. Then as early as 2021, Globe held the distinction of being the first publicly-listed  company in the country to commit to science-based targets for scopes 1 and 2 emissions for the net zero race. Within this year, Globe stated that the outcome of its carbon emissions-reduction journey will be submitted for validation by the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi), which measures how corporations and financial institutions have been faring in lowering their carbon intensity.