[THINK PIECE] Youth Sustainability Forum 2024 through the lens of a Business Student 

As a senior undergraduate student majoring in Management Engineering (Business) at the Ateneo de Manila University, I bring a unique perspective to the conversation on climate mitigation and sustainability. Currently interning at RENDER, a project under the Klima Center of the Manila Observatory, I am privileged to actively participate in initiatives that align with my professional aspirations and personal advocacies. RENDER’s youth engagement and climate mitigation mission resonates deeply with me, as I believe that youth involvement is crucial in driving the sustainability agenda forward.

Participating in the Youth Sustainability Forum has been an invaluable capacity-building opportunity. It allowed me to engage with thought leaders and gain insights directly relevant to my future career in sustainability consulting. 

During the forum, the keynote that struck me the most was that of Adrian Ow’s. He is the Head of ESG Solutions at UOB, and he delivered a talk entitled Driving ASEAN sustainable future: Leveraging green finance for impactful change. 

This perspective is essential for young professionals like myself who are eager to contribute to this global transition.

He also highlighted the importance of educating ourselves about sustainability and getting involved in grassroots initiatives. These experiences provide hands-on learning and networking opportunities that are crucial for developing the skills and instilling the ecosystem knowledge necessary to design and advocate for stronger environmental policies and corporate practices in my future career. 

My goal is to launch a career in sustainability management or consulting, particularly within firms that play a pivotal role in helping businesses meet their ESG goals. I aim to contribute to the Philippines’ transition toward a more sustainable future by assisting firms in reducing their emissions—a critical effort for a nation significantly impacted by climate change. 

I also learned and acknowledged that sustainability is not merely about reducing harm through reducing corporate greenhouse gas emissions or ticking boxes in sustainability reports. It’s more about creating new value in the economy and driving systemic change in operational strategies. By leading the world toward a low-carbon economy, companies in the Philippines, aligned with ASEAN, can position themselves at the heart of green technology, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Southeast Asia's greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 5% annually on average, with the power sector being the largest contributor, responsible for 40% of the region's emissions. To meet its climate goals, ASEAN countries need an estimated $200 billion annually in sustainable finance by 2030. 

One of the more concrete lessons I gained from the forum was learning how ESG and sustainability leaders from UOB, RHB Bank, and Bank Islam are implementing these concepts within the banking sector. UOB, for instance, has developed a sustainable financing framework tailored to each sector mentioned above. For instance, they recognize that decarbonizing a green building requires a different approach than decarbonizing farmland. Additionally, they’ve made digital sustainability frameworks accessible to MSMEs through UOB’s initiatives, ensuring that smaller enterprises are not left behind in this transition.

Overall, the Youth Sustainability Forum has not only deepened my understanding of sustainability and green finance but has also reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career where I can contribute to significant, positive change. Thank you so much to RENDER and the Klima Center for allowing me to be more prepared than ever to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the world of sustainability.