NEO, a Filipino real estate development company recently launched its inaugural Sustainability Report. One of the report highlights is the company’s achievement as the world’s first recipient of the International Finance Corporation’s EDGE Zero Carbon certification. 

The certification is given to companies who commit to at least 40% energy savings through energy efficiency, carbon offsets, and renewable energy use within a given timeline. 

WWF-Philippines in response to the launch of the report lauds this milestone achievement. “This is a big win for sustainability in the country and highlights how a Filipino company can lead at the global stage as well. A real-estate company in one of the world’s most climate vulnerable nations putting ESG at the forefront serves as a beacon for others in similar circumstances,” shared John Charles Altomonte, WWF-Philippines Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI) Lead.

WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio commends NEO for being a model to others in the real estate industry and a flagbearer of corporate sustainability.

“NEO has shown what it means to walk the talk. They’ve achieved a world first EDGE Zero certification and have retrofitted their portfolio of buildings to align with their sustainability commitments. The level of transparency and accountability NEO demonstrates in its sustainability efforts is not often seen in the country and WWF-Philippines is glad to have assisted in a small part in the process through our Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI). The people who make up the NEO group, their customers, partners, and investors should be proud.”

As the effects of the climate crisis continue to prove that businesses and economies cannot thrive on a dying planet, the private sector must accelerate transformation towards sustainability. CBPI is WWF-Philippines' program to engage with corporations on their sustainability journeys, using an actionable framework and metrics aligned with the global standards such as the Science Based Targets Initiative among others.