The Nordic Ambassadors' Luncheon - Sustainability through World-leading Cleantech Innovation was held at Fairmont Makati on October 3. The event brought together the four Nordic Ambassadors and industry leading companies to discuss cleantech innovation with a particular focus on goals 7 and 13 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): affordable and clean energy, and climate action.
• Cooperation and engagement between governments and the private sector required
NordCham Vice President Erik M. Nielsen explained the objectives of the luncheon: “This luncheon will showcase the best practices and experiences from the public and private sector on how to develop cleantech innovations that can help solve environmental challenges and provide sustainable energy and green technology. We will have a particular focus on goal 7 and 13 of the SDGs, affordable and clean energy and climate action.”
From the diplomatic missions, H.E. Jan Top Christensen, Ambassador of Denmark to the Philippines highlighted that the Nordic region has the strongest cleantech start-up creation leadership, providing the best conditions today. Denmark leads the way in the 2017 Global Cleantech Innovation Index (GCII), the country is especially strong in commercialized cleantech where Denmark scores top marks for cleantech exports, the number of public cleantech companies and the number of renewable energy jobs. Denmark is also the top performer for the amount raised by cleantech funds and the number of cleantech organizations.
H.E. Petri Puhakka, Ambassador of Finland to the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, presented the enabling factors on what Finland has done to encourage innovation on sustainability and technology. Finland plays a key role in cleantech expertize, technologies and innovative solutions that enable business growth. Finnish cleantech industry is one of the cornerstones of the Finnish economy. Finnish organizations are leaders in energy efficiency, clean industrial and bioenergy. Moreover, the Finnish Ambassador highlighted the importance of continuous close cooperation between the universities and companies in researching together, which enables to produce tangible results.
Meanwhile, H.E. Bjørn Jahnsen, Ambassador of Norway to the Philippines, highlighted Norway’s leadership in clean innovation and sustainability and commitment to SDGs through the Norwegian’s maritime sector. Norway is a major player in the maritime sector, to reduce emissions and to stimulate green growth, the Norwegian government has elaborated a strategy for the maritime sector to reach zero emissions. The government has put forward new technology and solutions related to the shipping sector, such as the “Ampere”, the first fully electric ferry and “The Vision of the Fjords”, a futuristic hybrid tourist ferry. Furthermore, according to the ship owners of Norway, they will be a significant increase in both unmanned ships and rigs in the years to come. Therefore, the Norwegian companies already have a head start and both the government and the maritime sector is allocating green growth for a green future.
Rounding out the public sector views, H.E. Harald Fries, Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines, highlighted that Sweden offers innovative solutions and extensive know-how knowledge in cleantech innovation. A key element in paving the way for cleantech technology was the decentralization of power, with the government transferring wide-ranging powers to the local governments. This enables to create a strong local framework for environmental policymaking. In addition, Sweden has managed to revolutionize the waste disposal. Sweden makes sure to recycle all materials and when recycling is not possible they transform it into energy. Ambassador Fries added that Sweden became the first country in Europe to meet the EU 2020 targets for renewable energy. Now the goal is to reach carbon neutrality by 2045.
Private sector initiating and encouraging cleantech innovation
Jakob Larsen, Senior Vice President at Vestas explained that sustainability is the kind of development that meets the needs of the person without compromising future generations. The reason why Nordic companies are rated so highly is that the politicians are forward-thinking and have provided solid and relevant frameworks and policies on sustainability and climate action. The EU politicians have set ambitious policies, for example in 2017, 90% of new generation capacity in the EU came from renewable energy. Furthermore, he highlighted Vestas ability to invest in products and services that are more and more sustainable. Vestas has a target of reducing by 10% the carbon footprint of wind turbines between 2017-2020.
On his part, Ville Rimali, Business Development Manager at Wärtsilä, explained that the company has strong commitments in developing new cleantech technologies as a means towards increasing efficiency and lowering operating costs.
Wärtsilä is focused on leading the way in providing power systems based on 100% renewable energy, with the majority of the energy produced by solar, wind power and hydro. He pointed out that a high renewable world will require massive amounts of solar and energy storage. Moreover, Wärtsilä is striving to provide future solutions and in particular developing opportunities in flexible gas capacity.
Adding to the private sector perspective, Joseph Yu, President and CEO at SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) highlighted the Alimit Hydroelectric Power Complex development project, which is in its fourth year of permitting. The Alimit hydropower complex is composed of two power facilities, the 20-MW Olilicon Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP) and the 120-MW Alimit HEPP. However, he explained that renewable energy developers like SNAP in order to contribute more, they need to see improvement in the business climate and resolutions of conflicting regulations.
Finally, Rutchie Musong, Country Business Development & Channel Partner Manager at ABB, explained ABB`s approach to smart cities: to develop a strong and sustainable foundation, ABB is focusing on four major pillars, utilities, water, transportation and buildings, with each pillar interconnected together. Furthermore, Mr. Musong stressed the importance on continuing finding solutions for smart and sustainable cities in the Philippines, however he pointed out we need to increase the collaboration between the different stakeholders for a more sustainable future.
To conclude the luncheon, Lynn Dimayuga, Renewable Energy Manager, Pöyry, moderated the panel discussion on cleantech innovation and how the different stakeholders can facilitate better cooperation in helping the field of sustainability development move forward in the right direction and tackle the challenges ahead. The useful insights and facts brought clarity to the discussion topic and should help and encourage further sustainable development in the Philippines.
The event was organized by NordCham Philippines, in partnership with the Philippines Norway Business Council. Special thanks to our gold sponsor Pöyry, bronze sponsors, SN Aboitiz Power Group and Wärtsilä, and media partner ANC.
NordCham has organized the annual Nordic Ambassadors' Luncheon for the last five years and NordCham Philippines Executive Director Joona Selin said: “This annual event provides the stage for an inspiring discussion on the technologies and enabling environments that the Nordic countries have in place. Through these discussions with key Nordic and Philippine stakeholders, we are glad to share and learn more about how we can contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals here in the Philippines. We believe there is a lot to gain by working together."
For more information: contact Irma V. Merza at irma.merza@nordcham.com.ph or phone 0917 712 6792 or 7592246.
View our NordCham Facebook page for more pictures of the event.
For further reading regarding the Global Cleantech Innovation Index 2017 and to download the presentations, you may visit the NordCham Philippines website here.
NordCham Profile
NordCham Philippines (formerly Nordic Business Council Philippines) was established in late 2012 to bring together the Nordic-Philippine business community. The organization promotes and facilitates trade, commerce, industry, and investment between the Philippines and the Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) and Baltic (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) countries.
With a team of four full time staff and more than 120 members, NordCham Philippines is the largest Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Asia. Our member companies include major multinationals, SMEs, startups, representing industries such as ICT, energy & clean technologies, maritime & logistics, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, and financial & corporate services.
In addition to membership and consulting services, NordCham Philippines arranges numerous events for its members and guests, ranging from formal events such as the annual Nordic Ambassadors’ Luncheon, Awards Night, and luncheons with key government officials and private sector leaders to casual events such as after-works and speed networking, and traditional Nordic social events like midsummer celebration, crayfish party, and Christmas lunch.
Total trade between the Philippines and the Nordic and Baltic region reached € 652 million in 2015. Exports from the Nordic and Baltic countries to the Philippines totalled € 425 million, while imports were at € 227 million.
