Building Climate Resilience Through Collaborative Partnerships

The Philippines ranks as the country most vulnerable to disasters, making it crucial to build national resilience in response to intensifying climate impacts. This challenge requires a collective effort across all sectors, ensuring that the nation can respond, recover, and adapt effectively. 

“Any program aimed at building climate resilience demands strong partnerships and collaboration across all sectors,” said Katherine Custodio, Executive Director of World-Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-PH), during the breakout session of the 7th Annual Conference of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024). 

Custodio emphasized the need for cohesive efforts between organizations, government, and private sectors to bring national policies to life, particularly those focused on climate adaptation and sustainability. Custodio highlighted that successful climate initiatives depend on sincere efforts to work across disciplines and sectors. She stressed that such collaborations would be instrumental in turning policy commitments into actionable programs. Jonas Marie Dumdum, Senior Consultant and Sustainability Service Lead of Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Manila Branch, hosted the session, which centered on the importance of creating connections and partnerships. 

Custodio further explained the significance of engaging corporate leaders in climate action. “Finding the right champions within the company is crucial,” she said, noting that leadership involvement from the top is key to ensuring that corporate climate goals are aligned with national objectives. One notable partnership in the Philippines is between WWF-Philippines and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime). Over the years, this partnership has produced various successful programs, including the **YOUth are the Future** campaign, the annual **Earth Hour** event in collaboration with SM Supermalls, **SM Hotel’s Sustainable Diner** initiative, and the **Hamilo Coast Sustainable Development Project**, now in its 14th year. 

“At SM Prime, we dream big for our shared future. True prosperity transcends financial success,” said Jessica Bianca Sy, Lead Executive for Design, Innovation, and Strategy for SM Prime and SM Development Corporation (SMDC). Sy reaffirmed the company's commitment to developing sustainable, integrated properties while fostering vibrant and inclusive communities that can endure the challenges of time and climate change. SM Prime, one of Asia's leading integrated property developers, recognizes the importance of science-based climate action. The company has made a strong commitment to transitioning to a net-zero economy by aligning with WWF-PH’s **Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI)** program. 

Through this partnership, SM Prime is working on setting near and long-term science-based targets for 2030 and 2040, in line with global climate goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Custodio expressed her satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “WWF-PH is pleased to work with SM Prime on their decarbonization efforts. Companies like SM Prime are guided in identifying climate-related risks, developing roadmaps, and committing publicly to science-based targets.” 

Custodio also emphasized that climate action is a long-term endeavor, especially when working with communities across the country. "Change does not happen overnight. True partners are willing to work together for the long term and actively listen to one another," she said. According to her, the most impactful projects are those that sustainably improve people's livelihoods and well-being. 

SM Prime continues to be a catalyst for economic growth, focusing on creating sustainable lifestyle cities that enhance the quality of life for millions. The company is committed to pushing the boundaries of integrated property development, leading the way toward building sustainable cities for future generations.