Holcim steps up call for sustainable construction

Leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. recently participated in a series of important conferences to engage critical stakeholders on accelerating the decarbonization and circularity of construction for the country’s sustainability goals.

Holcim representatives served as panelists or presenters in these activities to share the company’s efforts to support the reduction of the environmental footprint of construction and call for greater collaboration among the industry players and the government for faster transition.

Sam Manlosa, Chief Sustainability Officer Sam Manlosa, Jr.: “With the construction industry accounting for 10% of global carbon emissions, we must actively engage with key stakeholders who are similarly moving for a Net Zero future. These engagements are important to raise awareness that Holcim is ready to support sustainable construction and encourage collaborations to hasten the transformation for better building norms in the country.”

In the first-ever Philippine Net Zero Conference on Sept. 19, organized by the Net Zero Carbon Alliance, Manlosa joined Bukidnon First District Representative Jose Manuel Alba, co-author of the House of Representative Low-Carbon Economy Bill, and Jonathan Breton, Global Director - Built Environment, on the meaningful collaborations needed to build broader public support for a Net Zero Philippines. The group agreed that decarbonization advocates must continue communicating its benefits to win wider public support for policies that advance decarbonization.

Manlosa also joined the 2024 Building Green Conference in Davao City on Sept. 26, organized by the Philippine Green Building Council, to highlight the importance of addressing the carbon footprint of building materials aside from the current focus on improving energy efficiency. Manlosa also shared Holcim innovations to provide sustainability-conscious partners options for low-carbon and circular construction.

Since 2018, Holcim Philippines has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 20% by producing more blended cements, replacing coal with qualified wastes as alternative fuels and raw materials, shifting to renewable energy and improving efficiency of operations.