No superhero will descend from the sky onto the Earth and save it from environmental degradation. This obligation requires all of us to take full accountability, step by step, by rethinking how we consume the planet’s finite resources and altering our lifestyles to be more sustainable. Caring for our shared home starts with us — first at an individual level — then later at a community level to drive collective action that pushes for lasting change.
Nonetheless, a chamber involving two countries has offered a sliver of hope to the continuous deterioration of our planet. French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines (CCI France-Philippines), a non-profit organization, held its first sustainability conference to demonstrate the power of joint efforts in building a greener world — one where future generations can still inhabit it and cherish its resources abundantly.
One effort at a time
Established in 1988, CCI France-PH is a self-sustaining organization that seeks to enhance business relations between the two countries. Its talk “La Conférence Bleue” took place at Ascott Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on Sept. 10, 2024, to promote sustainability in Filipino-French communities and highlight eco-friendly efforts from non-government organizations and corporations.
In partnership with Red Impact, the sustainability arm of Red Havas, the conference featured five categories, namely people, planet, partnership, peace, and prosperity, providing a platform for attendees to shine a spotlight on their eco-projects.
Meanwhile, the chamber launched its committee for renewable energy last June 10 at Common Ground Rockwell in Makati, which was attended by representatives from large-scale companies in the energy industry.
Save the seas
Among those who took the lead in the conference’s planet category is Save Palawan Seas Foundation (SPSF), a non-profit organization aiming to protect natural resources and support sustainable livelihood alternatives for coastal communities in the area.
Stephanie Inocando, foundation manager at SPSF, highlighted that illegal and dynamite fishing is a major challenge in Palawan. She stressed that simply asking fishermen to stop such practices without providing alternative livelihoods is ineffective, which birthed the organization’s sustainable livelihood projects.
"We believe that taking care of the planet involves caring for the people that will take care of the planet. We started our environmental education project with children in the island communities and marine and fisheries education programs where we target fishermen involved in unsustainable ways of fishing," she stated.
The projects include organic vegetable farming, cashew processing, seaweed farming, virgin coconut oil processing, egg production, and free-range chicken farming, which seek to provide food security and additional income for fisherfolk communities. For environmental conservation, she highlighted coral propagation and tree planting for a greener future.
“What we want to do is provide a solution, which is to give them an additional source of income so that they wouldn't have to fish more. The reason to do illegal fishing is to have more food and cash. So, what we did was give a different source of income to eliminate or at least lessen that practice in the livelihood,” she added.
Tagged as the Philippines' "last frontier," Palawan offers rich marine life, virgin forests, and flora and fauna that can only be found in the area.
Toward a greener tomorrow
Liza Silerio, vice president for corporate compliance group for SM Supermalls, featured the eco-friendly efforts of the mall at the conference.
For water conservation, she said that the mall recycles water for greening landscapes and has installed motion sensor faucets in restrooms. She also mentioned that solar photovoltaic systems can be found on the roof decks of the mall, and LED systems and “green design” are present for energy efficiency.
“We have implemented various water conservation programs, including rainwater harvesting and water recycling facilities from our sewage treatment plant. And to give you an example, our recently awarded program is in SM City Baguio,” she said.
The mall is also said to manage its waste through the monthly trash-to-cash recycling market and plastic waste collection for diversion, which help to prevent trash from reaching landfills. Plus, bike-friendly facilities and e-vehicle charging stations can be seen in the establishment.
"We recognize that our efforts are just a drop in the ocean. We are committed to leveraging innovation and collaboration to build a greener, more resilient, and more sustainable future for all," she expressed.
Humans must shoulder the duty of saving the planet, as environmental damage is ultimately our doing. We can take it one step at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed, but it should be done collectively to achieve lasting progress. Paired with a change in our current consumption patterns, we move a step closer to a planet where the health of our only home is not sidelined in the name of convenience and personal interest.