Robinsons Land sets sustainability goals

ROBINSONS Land Corp. (RLC) has defined specific environmental impact targets across its business units as part of its commitment to sustainability.

In a statement, RLC said the pandemic highlighted the need for companies to adopt a more focused approach to sustainability.

“We continue to invest in creating low-carbon and resilient spaces to further reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, protect the environment, and promote efficient land use,” RLC President and CEO Frederick D. Go was quoted as saying in the company’s sustainability report.

RLC said it has been promoting responsible land use by integrating green and open spaces in all its properties. For new projects, it will engage green-certified contractors and consultants, as well as establish guidelines on landscaping, to achieve carbon neutrality and improve resiliency.

The Gokongwei-led developer has also crafted a roadmap towards a net zero carbon ambition by 2050. This is in line with the Paris Agreement, which calls on countries to take climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius.

RLC said it is also planning to use clean power in its current and future shopping mall projects, as part of its goal to shift power requirements to renewable energy (RE) sources by 2035.

“Cognizant of the Philippines’ target of 35% share of RE in the power generation mix by 2030 and 50% share by 2040, RLC will pursue more investment opportunities through the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) or the RE Market — once it is established — and engage with clean energy providers for both Luzon and provincial areas,” the company said.

Robinsons malls and offices used 30.24 gigawatt hours of renewable energy in 2021.

RLC currently has 24 malls with solar rooftop installations, generating nearly 30 megawatts of clean and renewable energy.

“By 2030, RLC intends to divert all discarded non-biodegradable materials in our properties away from landfills and towards recycling and other waste processing facilities,” Mr. Go said.

For its hotel and leisure properties, RLC is aiming to reduce annual food spoilage by 5%.

RLC Residences will also conduct solid waste management briefings on the proper use of facilities for housekeeping personnel. It will also launch an education campaign on reusable materials for employees, homeowners, and residents.

“Through these programs, we will be able to better manage the volume of waste generated in our residential developments even after the units have been turned over to the homeowners. We look forward to expanding these initiatives to all RLC properties,” Mr. Go said.

The developer also wants design plans of new and existing RLC developments to have wastewater treatment and materials recovery facilities by 2025.