Business for Sustainable Development (BSD) sparked a discussion on regenerative business in the country immediately following the membership screening event of the documentary “Beyond Zero,” which was held recently at De La Salle University.
“Sustainability is not an option; it’s essential. We hope that through this film, we can get valuable insights and spark ideas that go beyond sustainability efforts. We can learn from each other here and together build a strong regenerative business community,” said Abraham Perez, executive director of BSD.
The documentary “Beyond Zero” tells the story of how the founder and chairman of a global manufacturing company made bold changes to address the environmental impact of his organization. His decisions not only sought to reduce environmental harm but regenerate his business model to restore natural resources and social systems, proving that sustainability and profitability can work together.
The journey to regenerative business
Dubbed “The Journey to Regenerative Business,” the event included a video message by the documentary’s director and producer Nathan Havey. The panel discussion featured Ma. Victoria Tan, executive director, Group Sustainability and Risk Management Unit, Ayala Corporation; Rafael A.S.G. Ongpin, executive director, Makati Business Club; Joseph R. Rosal, director of sustainability, De La Salle University; and Neil Ian Lumanlan, consultant for circular economy and carbon removal, representing SUSTAINOVA.
The event was co-presented by BSD, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Philippines, and SUSTAINOVA.
Panel on sustainability challenges
During the discussion, the panel touched on two pressing sustainability challenges that businesses need to address: reforestation and economic sustainability through agriculture.
Ongpin emphasized that while Philippine companies are required by the SEC to plant a certain number of trees, the initiative should not stop at planting but extend into a sustained tree-growing program.
Tan added that science should guide a successful reforestation strategy. “Planting trees sounds appealing, but there should be a science to that. There’s an opportunity because if you can grow something from a denuded forest, then there is a chance of getting carbon credits, which is very important in achieving net zero greenhouse gas ambition.”
She also highlighted that companies can take inspiration from nature in developing innovative products.
Focus on sustainable agriculture
According to Ongpin, the Makati Business Club has been focusing on making agriculture in the Philippines more sustainable. He stressed that this initiative would directly benefit around 50 million agricultural workers and help them achieve economic resilience.
“Let’s focus on the economic sustainability of that sector and we believe that environmental sustainability can progress alongside that,” Ongpin said.
BSD’s role in advancing sustainability
Formerly known as Philippine Business for the Environment, BSD has been at the forefront of advocating for sustainability integration in the country’s private sector since 1992. The organization has supported its member companies in sustainability reporting and in advancing their Sustainable Development Goals.
BSD is a pioneer global network partner of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and a global partner of Business for Nature, a coalition calling for nature-based solutions to sustainability issues. It is also a certified training partner of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework.
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