The country’s major telecommunications providers are locked in a high-stakes race toward net-zero emissions, transforming the digital landscape through multibillion-peso green loans and massive shifts to renewable energy.
As PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. aggressivey pivot away from traditional power sources, their competition is moving beyond 5G coverage and into the realm of radical sustainability—integrating artificial intelligence and climate-resilient infrastructure to future-proof the nation’s connectivity.
Smart Communications, the wireless unit of PLDT Inc., recently secured a P2-billion green loan facility to fund the continuous upgrade and expansion of its network infrastructure.
The initiative focuses on enhancing energy efficiency and customer experience while following internationally recognized Green Loan Principles. The funding builds on momentum from 2024, when parent company PLDT secured a P4-billion green loan from Metrobank to expand fiber infrastructure and energy-saving systems.
PLDT and Smart chief sustainability officer Melissa Vergel de Dios said the facility aligns with the company’s material topics by addressing stakeholder expectations through innovation and resource efficiency. Financing is vital to achieving the company’s business and sustainability goals “and in our pursuit of initiatives that contribute to our long-term growth and create value for the planet and the future generations,” Vergel de Dios said.
The group is also aggressively shifting its ground operations to cleaner power. Through a partnership with MPower, PLDT and Smart activated 144 cell sites and nine facilities under the Energy Regulatory Commission’s Retail Aggregation Program.
The transition covers a total demand of over 2,500 kW across the integrated network, with additional implementations planned for Visayas and Mindanao before the end of the year.
The commitment to sustainability has improved the group’s global standing, with its S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment score rising to 77 out of 100. MSCI also upgraded the rating for PLDT to BBB, citing advancements in carbon management and data security.
Globe Telecom has also ramped up its environmental efforts, achieving an A- rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project, the highest among Philippine telecommunications firms. The company has transitioned over 171 sites to renewable energy and is pioneering Green Network solutions that use artificial intelligence to put idle equipment into sleep mode during low-traffic hours.
Globe has deployed more than 38,000 green network solutions, including fuel cell systems, hybrid generators, and lithium-ion batteries. These technologies reduce emissions while strengthening network resilience against natural disasters.
Globe chief sustainability and corporate communications officer Yoly Crisanto said the climate leader rating reflects disciplined action and strong governance. “It confirms that our climate strategy is both credible and measurable,” Crisanto said.
Sustainability is also being integrated into consumer products through the use of EcoSIM cards made from recycled materials. In 2024, all postpaid SIMs procured by Globe were EcoSIMs, helping avoid the use of over 1,200 kilograms of virgin plastic.
For water stewardship, Globe earned a B score from the CDP. Its headquarters, The Globe Tower, reused more than 33,500 cubic meters of graywater in 2024 through rainwater harvesting and recycling systems.
The company is now embarking on a plan to transition over 3,000 cell sites and low-energy facilities in Metro Manila and Region IV-A to renewable energy by 2028. This move is expected to avoid an estimated 5.5 million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year.
To maintain connectivity during calamities, Globe deployed sustainable battery charging hubs in typhoon-prone regions like South Luzon and Bicol.
Globe network planning and engineering senior vice president Joel Agustin said connectivity is a vital part of everyday life.
“That is why we strive to keep our cell sites operational, especially when disasters strike. We’re making sure that communities can count on Globe to stay connected no matter the situation,” Agustin said.
