The 2024 summer heat wave has been nearing the country's historical peak. It has affected various areas across the Philippines with a heat index of above 42ºC, falling into the danger category. The soaring heat index we are witnessing is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by climate change and global warming. Rising greenhouse gas emissions and our collective carbon footprint contribute significantly to these environmental changes, leading to these extreme temperatures. The consequences are dire: potential heatstroke, property devastation from wildfires, and harm to wildlife, livestock, and human life. This is a threat that we and the future generations will continuously face.

Communities worldwide are actively combating climate change by embracing renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. This shift goes hand-in-hand with initiatives like creating green spaces, implementing effective waste management systems, and educating the public about environmental issues. These efforts represent a crucial piece of the sustainability puzzle, complementing broader programs across various sectors of society.

However, the reach of non-state actors, particularly corporations and businesses, is undeniable. They have immense influence on individuals' daily routines through workplace practices and consumer choices. Even small changes in company culture, like promoting eco-friendly commuting or offering reusable products, can have a significant cumulative effect. When scaled up, these practices, combined with environmentally conscious policies, have the power to transform everyday actions into widespread best practices. Ultimately, a large-scale shift towards an eco-friendly lifestyle relies heavily on the power of businesses to nudge employees and consumers in a sustainable direction.

This forum aims to ignite a transformative effort towards a sustainable future by bringing awareness, discussing sustainable practices, and developing eco-friendly solutions to address current environmental challenges. We will bring together industry leaders, experts, and key stakeholders from the renewable energy & energy efficiency, water, hospitality & food, healthcare, and real estate sectors and beyond. Through dialogue and dynamic action plans, this event will equip participants with the knowledge and solutions to make their respective fields more sustainable. Our collective vision: a future where economic prosperity flourishes in harmony with a thriving planet.

We invite you to join us in shaping a more eco-friendly world. Through collective efforts and collaboration, we can all avoid such climate challenges and future catastrophes. A greener world for our future must start now. Let's reduce our carbon footprint one step at a time.