ECOP's commitment to advancing SDGs
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a transformative framework for tackling global challenges while underscoring the critical role of partnerships in driving meaningful progress. By aligning with the SDGs, enterprises not only fulfill their commitment to responsible business conduct but also enhance their resilience and long-term value. Recognizing this, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) has made sustainability an integral part of its agenda.
In December 2023, ECOP launched the SDG Value Scan, a service designed to help enterprises align their operations with sustainable development and just transition principles. Originally developed by the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) for Danish companies, the SDG Value Scan was localized for the Philippine context, supported by Gruppo EMS, under the ECOP-DI collaboration, Strengthening Bipartite Relations and Promoting Green, Inclusive, and Sustained Growth..
As DI’s sole accredited provider of the SDG Value Scan in the Philippines, ECOP has been empowered to help Filipino companies operationalize sustainability in tangible and meaningful ways.
2024: A Milestone Year for the SDG Value Scan
Throughout 2024, ECOP focused on fully localizing the SDG Value Scan to ensure its relevance and impact for Philippine enterprises. The result was a bespoke module tailored to the needs of diverse industries. By the end of the year, twenty (20) organizations and companies had completed their SDG Value Scan sessions, bringing the total to thirty-three (33) since its inception.
2024 Industry Participation and Key Insights
| INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN | ||
| Industry | Number | % share |
| Healthcare | 1 | 5.26% |
| Retail and Trade | 1 | 5.26% |
| Hospitality | 4 | 21.05% |
| Manufacturing | 4 | 21.05% |
| Academe | 2 | 10.53% |
| Logistics | 3 | 15.79% |
| Business Process Outsourcing | 1 | 5.26% |
| Service Contracting | 1 | 5.26% |
| Business Membership Organization | 2 | 10.53% |
| Company Name |
| The Medical City |
| Pandayan Bookshop |
| Waterfront Hotels and Casinos |
| Mekeni Food Corporation |
| New World Makati Hotel |
| Universidad de Zamboanga |
| Aruga Apartments by Rockwell Hotels |
| De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute |
| Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation |
| Destileria Limtuaco & Co. Inc. |
| Third Generation Holdings |
| Red Planet Hotels |
| Detpack Packaging Philippines, Inc. |
| Executive Genesis Services Inc. |
| Coolaire Consolidated Inc. |
| Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) |
| Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) |
| Airspeed Philippines |
| The Bellevue Manila |
| Crafter's Joy Handicrafts |
As expected from the private sector, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, was the most prominent SDG identified during the sessions. Other significant goals included SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, reflecting the dominance of manufacturing companies requiring an SDG Value Scan session.
Expanding the SDG Value Scan Family: Now for EBMOs
As part of its strategic commitment to sustainability, ECOP has extended the reach of the SDG Value Scan to business membership organizations (BMOs), chambers of commerce, and industry associations, by developing a specialized module, empowering these institutions to play a pivotal role in advancing the SDGs.
The decision to tailor the SDG Value Scan for BMOs stems from ECOP's recognition of the unique influence BMOs wield. By representing diverse industries and advocating for their members’ interests, BMOs are strategically positioned to cascade sustainability principles to a broader network of enterprises. Adapting the SDG Value Scan for BMOs allows ECOP to amplify the reach and impact of the SDGs across entire sectors, promoting collective action and systemic change.
Moreover, BMOs often serve as advisors to businesses, helping them navigate regulatory requirements and global standards. By equipping BMOs with a localized and relevant SDG tool, ECOP ensures that these organizations can better support their members in aligning with international sustainability benchmarks. This alignment not only fosters innovation and competitiveness but also builds resilience against the risks posed by climate change and other global challenges.
The tailored SDG Value Scan also allows BMOs to align their services with the specific needs of their members, addressing critical areas, through the development of a Program Tree. This targeted approach enables BMOs to prioritize and address the SDGs that matter most to their sectors, creating actionable roadmaps for sustainable growth.
ECOP's vision of equipping BMOs with the tools to lead on sustainability reflects its commitment to fostering an inclusive and resilient business ecosystem. By empowering BMOs, ECOP ensures that progress toward the SDGs is not only accelerated but also deeply rooted across the Philippine business landscape.
Recognition and Global Visibility
The SDG Value Scan has not only gained traction among Filipino enterprises but has also earned recognition on the international stage. The International Organization of Employers (IOE) lauded the tool as an effective intervention for sustainable development among business membership organizations and featured it in the IOE-MEF Climate Change and Just Transition Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 12 September 2024.
Moreover, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) will spotlight ECOP’s work in the 2025 Asia-Pacific SDG Progress Report, affirming its role as a trailblazer in sustainability.
Domestically, the SDG Value Scan was showcased at the 4th Quarter Members’ General Meeting of the Business Continuity Managers Association of the Philippines (BCMAP) as a tool to help enterprises begin their Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) journey.
Building a Community of Sustainable Business Practitioners: The SDG Network
In February 2024, ECOP launched an exclusive SDG Network, a community for enterprises actively working with the SDGs. Companies that complete the SDG Value Scan are automatically inducted, with membership formalized through terms of reference. This initiative underscores ECOP’s commitment to fostering a culture of sustainability across industries by bringing together organizations that share a common vision for green and socially responsible business practices.
Key Benefits of Membership:
Networking Opportunities: Members gain access to a diverse network of like-minded companies from various industries, facilitating the exchange of ideas, strategies, and best practices for sustainability.
Capacity-Building Initiatives: Through a mix of free and paid programs, members are equipped with the knowledge and tools to transition toward greener and more socially responsible operations.
Recognition for Excellence: Enterprises are celebrated as exemplary models for sustainable business practices, enhancing their reputation as leaders in sustainability.
Since its establishment, the community has grown to include 16 members representing diverse sectors. To date, ECOP has hosted five network activities, providing a vibrant platform for members to engage, learn, and innovate.
| Activity | Date |
ECOP SDG Network - Inaugural Event + ESG Learning Session | 26 April 2024 |
| (ECOP/DI Learning Session) Employers for the Global Goals: Achieving Gender Equality and Reducing Inequalities | 13 August 2024 |
| ECOP-FFW National Conference on Just Transition: Leave No One Behind | 2-3 October 2024 |
| ECOP ESG Learning Session 1: Building the ESG Foundation: Linking SDGs to Business Success | 20 November 2024 |
| ECOP ESG Learning Session 2: Sustainability in Focus: Adapting to EU ESG Standards for Competitive Advantage | 27 November 2024 |
These activities demonstrate ECOP’s commitment to driving sustainable and inclusive growth by providing opportunities for learning, collaboration, and innovation.
Looking Ahead
ECOP’s journey in championing the SDGs highlights its unwavering commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. Through tools like the SDG Value Scan, the Confederation continues to empower businesses to align their strategies with global sustainability standards, ensuring that Filipino enterprises thrive while contributing to a better future for all.
As ECOP advances its mission, it reaffirms its belief that investing in sustainability is not just good for business—it is essential for shaping a resilient and prosperous Philippines.