West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) was declared as a “climate smart utility” by the International Water Association (IWA) during its Climate Smart Utilities Recognition Program held recently in Kigali, Rwanda.
IWA cited Maynilad’s adaptation and mitigation efforts in addressing the effects of climate change on its operations, including its diversification of raw water sources, upgrade of treatment facilities in response to the worsening raw water quality, and reduction of non-revenue water, among other activities. Another Maynilad initiative given particular note is its program for attaining “Climate Neutrality” by 2037.
Maynilad is one of 20 utilities from 12 different countries that were recognized as “climate smart” following a robust review by industry experts and independent jury members. Of these 20, a total of 10—including Maynilad—was considered “outstanding” by the jury, as the actions presented are inspiring and ambitious considering their local context.
The photo shows (from left) Maynilad Sustainability head Engr. John Emmanuel Martinez and Maynilad Quality, Sustainability, and Resiliency division head Atty. Roel S. Espiritu accepting the Climate Smart Utilities Recognition certificate from IWA President Tom Mollenkopf.
This year’s Climate Smart Utilities Recognition Program focused on how water and sanitation utilities that operate in challenging conditions respond to climate change. It recognizes “ambitious and innovative utilities in low and middle-income countries that are leading the way towards a low carbon water and sanitation sector, embracing the change needed to adapt to and mitigate climate change while raising awareness among citizens and industries, engaging regulators, and inspiring other utilities to take action.”
