Epson hopes sustainable approach attracts more customers in PHL

Epson Philippines said it has taken steps towards environmental conservation by collaborating with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) for a mangrove restoration project in Bataraza and Balabac towns of Palawan.

The multinational electronics company is also supporting WWF’s coral restoration efforts in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Renan B. Lacson, senior manager for product management of Epson Philippines, told BusinessWorld on July 26.

“We are hoping that, with this project, we get noticed by other organizations, so that we can also grow [our] partnerships with like-minded organizations,” he said.

“We’re hoping we get noticed as a socially responsible organization, and that we can build on this further.”

“You can be sure that we will continue the partnership with WWF and be looking for similar opportunities,” he added on the sidelines of a WWF media tour in Palawan. 

There are 34 species of mangroves in the Philippines, with Bataraza and Balabac having 16 and 28 of these species, respectively.

Mangroves play a vital role in flood control, soil erosion prevention, and acting as fish nurseries. Additionally, they serve as a carbon sink, with mangrove forests capable of storing up to ten times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests.

Elizabeth Clarke, WWF-Singapore’s director of conservation, said that the world has lost a third of its mangroves since the 1980s.

With its many ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, mangroves are “really important in the fight against climate change,” she said. 

“Palawan is a fantastic example, particularly the southern tip…[of] an important mangrove ecosystem that we need to protect and restore, and we can only do that by working with local communities,” she added.

She also said that more voices are needed for climate action and marine conservation.

Epson is a member of the Responsible Business Alliance, a global coalition dedicated to corporate social responsibility in global supply chains. 

The company has also switched to renewable electricity at all its domestic plants and offices since 2021, according to Mr. Lacson.

“Epson has been positioning itself as a sustainable company providing sustainable products,” he said. 

“It helps us in the long-term in generating more customers for Epson,” he added. — Patricia B. Mirasol