The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines was recently appointed as an accelerator to target a more sustainable future for the country. The “Race to Zero” campaign is a call to action for non-state entities to actively achieve a zero-emissions world by 2050.

The panel discussed how the Philippines is one of Southeast Asia’s largest carbon emitters, and it has not committed to achieving a net-zero target for the future. Given that we are a disaster-prone country, the campaign urges various actors and stakeholders to help make a collective impact on the environment.

Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) executive director Francis Macatulad touches on the plans to eventually decarbonize transportation. This will be followed by the training of technicians and electricians to operate the updated and more environmentally healthy technology.

“The goal is to move people, not cars,” according to Climate Change commissioner Albert de la Cruz, who describes the ideal scenario for our nationwide public transportation systems.

As the country is currently anticipating the completion of more long- and short-distance railway and ferry systems, the next step is not only to provide mobility but to improve respiratory health by way of better air quality for commuters. “Our long-term goal is for commuters to move from A to B with zero emissions,” explains “Race to Zero” campaign manager Dawn Cabigon.

Climate change has been a serious global concern over the past decade, and the Philippines has surely suffered the effects of these extreme weather systems.

A natural disaster, such as a typhoon, undoubtedly intensifies man-made, self-inflicted problems as well. Poor garbage disposal systems, for example, clog the city’s drainage system and flood the roads.

Members of the campaign are eager to tug at the heartstrings of as many companies, municipalities, communities, and even individuals to help set the “Zero by 2050” goal into motion.

Is this campaign too idealistic? Or is it time we jumped on the sustainability train?