CCC, Nestle PH launch Klimathon, partner to empower youth for climate action

The Climate Change Commission and Nestle Philippines are partnering to empower Filipino youth for climate action as they launched “Klimathon: Our Race Towards a Net Zero Reality” on Wednesday, October 20, 2020.

Klimathon is an innovation lab focused on new and workable solutions that can help address current issues on the climate crisis, focusing on plastic waste management, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and food security. The initiative aims to amplify the voice of the youth and highlight their capability to develop and implement meaningful climate actions.

CCC Chairperson-designate and Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, who formally opened the launch, expressed his gratitude to the organizers and participants of Klimathon for “bringing together bright young minds from all over the country”.

“Your proposals will surely help our experts craft and implement achievable, coherent, concerted, and compelling climate action programs on the ground,” Dominguez said.

Nestle Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki likewise highlighted the “crucial and necessary role” of the youth in tackling climate change, especially in addressing plastic problems, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring food security.

“At Nestle Philippines, one of the largest markets for Nestle worldwide, we are deeply committed to pursuing our environmental goals. These support the attainment of the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution,” Marzouki noted.

“We cannot do this alone. In order to succeed, we must engage with other stakeholders. Thus, we are happy to collaborate with the CCC towards strengthening initiatives to promote science-based solutions to climate change—in particular, working with our youth,” he emphasized.

CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Emmanuel De Guzman also commended Nestle Philippines “for its express resolve to reduce by half its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 towards net zero by 2050,” as well as for its efforts to engage the youth.

“With the world set to have the largest youth population ever in the coming years, honing their talents and harnessing their creativity to make a difference in climate action and to exemplify a sustainable, climate-friendly lifestyle is key to transforming our society,” De Guzman said.

The partnership was formalized in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement led by De Guzman and Nestle Philippines Senior Vice President and Head of Public Affairs Arlene Tan-Bantoto. Also giving their messages of support during the launch and signing were Senator Pia Cayetano, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh on behalf of Secretary Roy Cimatu, The Climate Reality Project Philippines Branch Manager Nazrin Camille Castro, and Kids for Kids Philippines founders Natasha and Isabelle Mañosa-Tanjutco.

Citing a study showing that a six-year-old child today will experience thrice as many disasters than their grandparents, CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera underscored how young people have been more proactive and more passionate about climate issues.

“We need to work for our youth and with them. This is what Klimathon is really all about—empowering and helping our youth really make an impact,” Herrera added.

The Klimathon is open to groups of Filipino students and young professionals, aged 16 to 24, who could develop projects based on one of the three focus pillars: plastic waste management, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and food security. Finalists will undergo a mentorship program with industry and field experts and cash prizes await the winning teams.

“These subject matter experts are from government, civil society, and even our subject matter experts from Nestle. They will mentor the finalists, and with this Klimathon, they will have more opportunities—they can expand their network, and we can also introduce their innovation to our partners in the whole value chain,” said Nestle Philippines Assistant VP for Sustainability and Public Affairs Christine Ponce-Garcia.

“We will ensure that these ideas come intro fruition through our mentorship, and we will ensure also that these ideas are introduced to our experts not just in Nestle but also in other companies as well,” she added.

Proposals may be sent to klimathon2021@gmail.com on or before November 10, 2021. More details on the competition mechanics are available through this link : https://climate.gov.ph/events/klimathon.