“Business has a once-in-a-decade opportunity to convert climate risk into competitive advantage. Pusong Hero for Net Zero gives companies a concrete way to engage employees, support nature-based defenses, and reduce plastic leakage—now, not later.” ~Florian Gottein, Executive Director of ECCP
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), in collaboration with National University (NU) and key corporate partners, will kick off the first leg of Pusong Hero for Net Zero: Run for Climate Action at NU Lipa and SM City Lipa.
More than 2,000 students, employees, and community members have already signed up for the run, which is the first in a 10-campus national series aimed at turning climate pledges into visible, measurable action. The upcoming legs will take place in Dasmariñas and Laguna.
Climate and Business at a Crossroads
Climate change poses urgent challenges to Philippine firms, particularly those in the fast-moving consumer products and other consumer-facing industries. Super typhoons, droughts, and rising sea levels disrupt supply chains, devastate infrastructure, and endanger populations.
However, with concerted action, the globe can still cut emissions in half by 2030. Aligned with the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign—the world's largest alliance of non-state actors—Pusong Hero for Net Zero offers a practical starting point for corporate climate leadership. As the Philippines' first and only Race to Zero Accelerator, ECCP brings together corporations, youth, and cities to translate pledges into results that protect assets, save lives, and support long-term growth.
Engaging Youth and Companies in Shared Action
The series is designed to:
- Engage employees and inspire corporate teams
- Strengthen brand trust with younger consumers
- Co-invest in nature-based solutions that reduce flood risk, restore mangroves, and support food security
“Our students want to lead. This series channels their energy into disciplined, measurable action—from running for health to volunteering for river and ocean recovery, and building skills for the green economy.” ~Avelino D. Palupit, Executive Director of NU Lipa
Confronting the Plastic Crisis
The stakes are high: by 2025, the Philippines might become the world's leading ocean plastic polluter, endangering billions of people's access to seafood. Seven of the world's 10 most plastic-emitting rivers are in the country, with the Pasig River alone contributing 6.4% of global river plastics to the ocean.
“We’re not asking for promises. We’re asking you to run with us—and invest in solutions that protect our homes, our oceans, and our future.” ~Tetsuya Yoshiko, President of the NU Lipa Community Extension Brigade
The One Mission, One Nation Ocean Clean-Up invites producers, retailers, importers, logistics operators, and waste managers to co-invest in river-to-sea waste interception, reverse logistics, and verified recovery—all while protecting mangroves and blue-carbon ecosystems that protect coastal communities and sustain fisheries.
Event and Partners
The Lipa City leg on 28 September 2025 at NU Lipa and SM City Lipa will gather over 2,000 runners while opening co-funding opportunities for the One Mission, One Nation Ocean Clean-Up. Current supporters include Republic Cement, TESTEX, Mega Prime Foods Inc., Audentes Technologies, and Fitbar Philippines, with campaign partners Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), the Bayo Foundation, and Spring Rain Global.
About the Organizers
About ECCP
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines is a bilateral business organization promoting European–Philippine economic relations. As the country’s first and only UN-backed Race to Zero Accelerator, ECCP convenes companies, cities, and investors to Pledge, Plan, Proceed, Publish, and Persuade toward halving emissions by 2030 and achieving Net Zero.
About National University
Founded in 1900, National University is a leading private university network in the Philippines. Through Pusong Hero for Net Zero, NU empowers students to translate climate awareness into measurable, place-based action across campuses and communities.
About One Mission, One Nation Ocean Clean-Up
This multi-sector initiative restores Philippine rivers and oceans through nature-based solutions, waste interception, reverse logistics, and community livelihoods—with transparent monitoring, corporate co-funding, and youth participation.
Call to Action
FMCG and enterprise leaders are invited to join the next legs in Dasmariñas and Laguna—to co-fund recovery pilots, engage employees, and run beside the youth who are counting on us.
Co-Fund. Co-Run. Co-Protect our Oceans.
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