Ayala Land to be “carbon-neutral” by 2022

Fernando Zobel de Ayala

Property giant Ayala Land Inc. has unveiled an ambitious program to achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2022 by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its commercial properties, thereby contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.

To be “carbon neutral,” ALI has pledged to offset the amount of carbon dioxide released by its various commercial properties into the atmosphere with initiatives such as passive cooling design, energy efficiency, renewable energy sourcing and other carbon offset mechanisms such as forest regeneration and protection. 

“As we execute and accomplish our plans, we firmly believe that our company’s success and growth cannot be measured solely in terms of profitability and market presence,” ALI chair Fernando Zobel de Ayala said in a press statement on Thursday.

“We are mindful of our corporate sustainability targets and our efforts to set new goals, such as carbon neutrality, affirm our commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth,” he said.

ALI is the only Philippine company included in the Sustainability Yearbook 2017, the most comprehensive publication on corporate sustainability produced by Swiss international investment company RobecoSAM.

The local property firm has formed multidisciplinary teams to implement targeted eco-efficiency approaches and enhance GHG accounting capacities.

In order to substantially reduce controllable emissions, natural cooling and energy saving measures have long been integrated into the planning and design of ALI’s developments nationwide, while emissions are sought to be curbed by retrofits, redevelopment and other interventions in operating properties.

“For more than six years now, we have been tracking our greenhouse gas emissions and undertaking energy-efficiency improvements in our properties to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. We are taking this a step further through our carbon neutrality initiatives,” ALI president and chief executive officer Bernard Vincent Dy added.

With ALI’s presence in 55 growth areas across the country and a total of 20 sustainable estates, its commitment to aim for net-zero carbon emissions by 2022 is seen to contribute to the reduction of overall country emissions.