Even as it faced business challenges due to the pandemic, Globe has been unrelenting in its commitment to climate action as it reduces its operational carbon footprint and provides support through technology, training and knowledge transfer to communities across the country.
In 2021, Globe, through its partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s fisheries institute, launched ISDApp, a community app that provides timely weather information for fisherfolk to ensure safe trips out to sea even without a smartphone or internet connection. It was rolled out to 600 fisherfolk in Quezon and Aurora provinces, where coastal communities are often visited by typhoons.
Waste management
Globe also partnered with Green Antz Builders in the same year to promote responsible disposal of single-use plastics (SUP), a major source of nonbiodegradable waste. Through the partnership, all SUPs from Globe’s headquarters and distribution partners are transported to the Green Antz facility in Bulacan province. Just in half a year, some 36,000 pieces of stone paper and 3,250 kilos of tarpaulin were collected for conversion into 80,000 eco-bricks and 32,000 eco-casts to be used as building material in schools and gardens.
In September of the same year, Globe partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Integrated Recycling Industries Inc., EcoWaste Coalition and the local government of Malabon to upgrade a materials recovery facility in Barangay Dampalit into a treatment, storage and disposal facility.
Through the new facility, e-waste recyclers are given proper training to address health concerns linked to informal e-waste processing, including exposure to toxic materials. It now benefits six “mangangalakal” (waste trader) groups and two junk shops in Barangay Dampalit, and waste recycling groups in Longos and Capulong in Tondo, with some 50 active members.
Camp Kalikasan
Believing that climate action begins with knowledge, Globe actively promotes climate education through various programs. This year, it launched Camp Kalikasan in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines to encourage in-depth environmental learning for Filipinos.
Camp Kalikasan is a fun and interactive climate education platform that aims to empower students, teachers and individuals with practical knowledge on how to support climate action.
To make learning about climate action more engaging, Globe also launched this September the mobile running game Globe Climate Champions, which aims to equip Filipinos with practical tips on reducing carbon emissions in everyday activities. Through a gamified learning experience, Globe hopes users will apply lessons they learn online in real life to help mitigate the impact of climate change. —Tarra Quismundo, contributOR INQ
