PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), underscore their continuing drive to advance sustainability and affirm support to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in managing climate change risks through its own operations and supply chain engagements.
These complement PLDT and Smart’s efforts to enable ADB’s digital transformation through various enterprise solutions, such as connectivity and data services.
During a recent roundtable organized by the ADB for its long-term and critical IT supplier partners, PLDT and Smart were kept abreast of the regional development bank’s intention to further solidify its position as Asia and the Pacific’s Climate Bank, as well as its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance roadmap and commitment to support the goals of the Paris Agreement. The telcos further joined ADB and its roster of global IT vendor partners in exchanging ideas on sustainability and sharing experiences on championing business practices that positively impact the planet and communities.
Aligning with ADB’s direction for ESG, PLDT and Smart’s Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios shared in the roundtable how PLDT and Smart identify sustainability as a key pillar of strategy and as part of the CEO scorecard and organizational key performance indicators.
Vergel de Dios also outlined key initiatives that align with ADB’s efforts to mitigate climate change and contribute to the PLDT Group’s decarbonization roadmap that targets reduction of Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, coming from a 2019 baseline. These include the continuous upgrade of their fixed line network from copper to fiber optic cables, use of renewable energy for network sites, business facilities, and data centers, implementation of various energy efficiency initiatives, and the adoption of green technologies, among others.
As a way of promoting sustainability within the telecommunications and IT industry, Vergel de Dios further discussed PLDT and Smart’s focus on electronic waste (e-waste) management and circularity. Through campaigns and strategic partnerships, the telcos embark on making proper e-waste disposal and recycling solutions accessible and convenient to Filipinos.
“We are inspired and encouraged to learn more about ADB’s journey towards embracing sustainability. Recognizing ADB as a like-minded partner and noting how we navigate through such similar challenges and opportunities, PLDT and Smart look forward to continuously supporting ADB and providing the institution with more meaningful services that help achieve its business and ESG goals,” said Vergel de Dios.
These efforts aim to contribute to the targets and principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 13 on Climate Action, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.
