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Sustainability has become more than a buzzword. Over the past few years, as someone who writes about lifestyle but also comes from a finance background, I’ve seen how conversations about clean energy, waste reduction, climate action, and responsible spending have moved from boardrooms to living rooms. And honestly, that shift gives me hope.
We often think sustainability is only for big corporations or environmental organizations, but in reality, it's a shared responsibility. Businesses, banks, communities, and even individuals like us have a role to play. And when these efforts come together, sustainable development becomes more than a dream, it becomes a roadmap for a better, more resilient future.
One financial institution that has been stepping up in this arena is BDO Unibank, a long-time leader in Philippine banking that has gradually built a solid track record in sustainability. Their approach proves that sustainability isn’t just a moral obligation; it’s a smart investment in the country’s future.
Let’s break down why this matters and where we fit into the picture.
Understanding Sustainability: More Than Going Green
Sustainability isn’t just about planting trees or cutting down on single-use plastics though those are great steps. In the bigger picture, sustainability means meeting today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It spans:
- Environmental protection (climate action, renewable energy, reduced waste)
- Social development (inclusive finance, health, education, community resilience)
- Economic stability (responsible investment, long-term growth, disaster preparedness)
In other words, it connects almost every aspect of our lives—how we live, how we earn, how we consume, and how we plan for the future.
How Banks Shape Sustainable Development
Being a former bank employee, I’m always fascinated by how the financial sector quietly influences national progress. Banks are not just custodians of savings, they are powerful enablers of industries. The sectors they choose to finance shape the economy we all live in.
By supporting companies that practice sustainability, banks help accelerate positive change. This includes:
- Funding clean energy projects
- Supporting businesses with responsible environmental and social practices
- Encouraging industries to adopt greener operations
- Improving community resilience through financial inclusion programs
This is where BDO’s role becomes crucial.
BDO’s Commitment to Sustainability: Beyond Corporate Responsibility
BDO didn’t jump on the sustainability trend just for optics. The bank has spent years developing, refining, and strengthening programs that make tangible impact.
1. Sustainability as Part of Corporate DNA
BDO integrates sustainability into its core business strategy. This means decisions on products, services, operations, and partnerships are all guided by long-term environmental and social considerations.
They follow a framework anchored on We Find Ways, but with a sustainability lens on finding ways to grow while doing what’s right for people and the planet.
2. Financing Green and Sustainable Industries
One of BDO’s strongest contributions is through Sustainable Finance, a program that directs capital toward projects that support:
- Renewable energy
- Energy efficiency
- Green buildings
- Climate resilience
- Social development projects
BDO has funded billions worth of renewable energy developments, helping increase the country’s capacity in solar, wind, and hydropower. These projects don’t just reduce emissions but they also create jobs, improve energy access, and contribute to long-term economic stability.
3. Championing Responsible Banking
BDO ensures its clients abide by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Instead of simply lending money, the bank encourages industries to adopt responsible business practices. This helps minimize risks like environmental degradation, labor issues, and community conflict.
4. Community-Focused Programs
Through the BDO Foundation, the bank supports education, health, financial literacy, and disaster response. These initiatives help build sustainable communities which is an often overlooked but essential part of national progress.
What Sustainable Living Means for Ordinary Filipinos
Here’s the part that hits home: sustainability may sound like a big concept, but we experience its effects every day with the rising electricity bills, extreme weather, food security issues, transportation challenges. So yes, the transition to a sustainable Philippines benefits all of us.
The question is: What can we do?
1. Make conscious consumer choices
Buying from brands with ethical and eco-friendly practices signals businesses to do better. Every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.
2. Reduce waste where you can
Small habits like bringing reusable bags, minimizing food waste, avoiding unnecessary plastics can significantly reduce personal environmental footprints.
3. Support clean energy and eco-friendly companies
Whether it’s choosing energy-efficient appliances or supporting companies that use renewable energy, these choices push the market forward.
4. Stay financially informed
As a finance-inclined lifestyle blogger, I always say this: financial literacy is sustainability. Saving, investing wisely, avoiding debt traps, and supporting responsible banking choices all contribute to economic resilience.
5. Participate in community and advocacy programs
Tree planting drives, community cleanups, donation programs, barangay initiatives—they all matter.
6. Use digital banking and e-payments
It reduces carbon dioxide emissions from commuting and paper consumption, while helping modernize the country’s financial systems.
A Sustainable Philippines Is a Shared Journey
As individuals, we sometimes underestimate the impact of our choices. But sustainability works like a ripple—small, consistent actions from many people create real change.
On the other hand, institutions like BDO amplify that change through strategic financing, responsible corporate governance, and long-term investments in climate resilience and community development.
When you put these two forces together, empowered citizens and accountable corporations, sustainable development stops being an abstract concept and becomes a lived reality.
And in a world where climate challenges grow stronger each year, choosing sustainability isn’t just wise. It’s essential for our homes, our communities, and the generations that will follow.