Ateneo Goes Green as Campus Shifts to 100% Renewable Energy
With a goal to be carbon neutral by 2030.
(SPOT.ph) Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) is taking a significant step towards sustainability by shifting its Loyola Heights campus to 100% renewable energy.
Starting May 26, Shell Energy will supply renewable energy to the campus while SolX Technologies will provide digital energy solutions to facilitate the transition, as reported by ADMU’s official student publication The GUIDON.
Ateneo shifts to renewal energy with Shell Energy partnership
The initiative is part of the university’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, aligning with the Laudato Si'—Pope Francis’ call for sustainable development in the face of a worsening climate crisis.
Rappler reported that the shift will see 20% of the campus's electricity needs met by solar panels installed across 13 buildings, with the remaining 80% supplied by Shell Energy. According to Shell's Chief Commercial Officer Sarah Rose Lim, the energy will come from a mix of solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal sources.
“This contract basically allows us to tell Meralco that the power supply to this campus should not come from coal or liquified natural gas. It should come from renewable sources,” ADMU President Fr. Roberto Yap SJ was quoted as saying during the agreement signing with Shell Energy and SolX Technologies Inc. on May 23.
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ADMU’s decision to partner with Shell Energy has also faced some criticism online. In the comments section of The GUIDON’s post, people have alleged that the oil and gas company is engaging in greenwashing—or when companies try to look more environmentally friendly than they actually are.
On Shell’s end, the company has said that it aims to become “a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.”
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