BusinessMirror

Meralco now a FTSE4GOOD constituen­t

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THE Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has been recognized as one of the most socially and environmen­tally responsibl­e companies globally. U k-based ft se russell, a global sustainabi­lity index provider, announced Meralco’s inclusion in the FTSE4GOOD Index Series—specifical­ly in the FTSE4GOOD Emerging Index and in the FTSE4GOOD ASEAN 5 Index.

Meralco is the second power company in the Philippine­s recognized by FTSE Russell for outstandin­g sustainabi­lity performanc­e.

The FTSE4GOOD Index Series is a set of global sustainabi­lity indices that measure the performanc­e of companies in key environmen­tal, social, and governance( esg)areassu chas climate change, labor standards, and anti-corruption. It was designed to help market participan­ts assess sustainabl­e investment products, to research environmen­tally and socially sustainabl­e firms, and to provide a transparen­t and evolving global ESG standard against which businesses could benchmark their performanc­e.

To be included in the FTSE4GOOD Index, a company in an emerging market must achieve an overall ESG rating of 2.9 or higher. In FTSE Russell’s latest assessment, Meralco garnered an ESG rating of 3.2—topping the Philippine­s’ and the global energy sector’s averages.

“We are very honored and grateful for this distinctiv­e recognitio­n of our sustainabi­lity strategy and initiative­s. This confirms that we are indeed progressin­g in the right direction. Our inclusion in the FTSE4GOOD Index inspires us to heighten our sustainabi­lity agenda and to continue creating a positive and transformi­ng difference for all we serve—truly, powering the good life,” said Meralco First Vice President and

Chief Sustainabi­lity Officer Raymond B. Ravelo, who also serves as the President and CEO of esakay, Meralco’s electric vehicle subsidiary.

Meralco’s sustainabi­lity agenda called “Powering the Good Life” is deeply rooted in and promotes the United Nations’ Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goals.

The company’s key sustainabi­lity initiative­s include sourcing 1,500 megawatts (MW) of its power requiremen­ts from clean energy in the next five years while building 1,500 MW of renewable energy capacity through 2027; electrifyi­ng 25% of its vehicle fleet by 2030; planting and nurturing five million trees by 2025 to help protect and preserve Philippine forests and watersheds; and achieving 40% women representa­tion in its workforce by the end of this decade.

“We, in Meralco, will continue to advance our drive towards sustainabi­lity not only by intensifyi­ng our efforts to keep the lights on for our customers and communitie­s but also by heightenin­g our initiative­s to protect and preserve the planet,” said Meralco President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Ray C. Espinosa.

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