The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals that were adopted by the organization’s member states in 2015 as a framework for promoting sustainable development. The SDGs aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people have the opportunity to live peaceful and prosperous lives.
The Philippines has made progress towards achieving the SDGs and has made a commitment to integrating the goals into its national development plans and policies. However, like many developing countries, the Philippines faces a number of challenges when it comes to sustainability. These include overpopulation, pollution, and the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and more frequent natural disasters.
Technology plays a significant role in helping countries like the Philippines achieve the SDGs by helping to improve the efficiency of resource use, reduce waste and pollution, and provide access to information and education — and transportation technologies are part of this. Please take note that technology alone is not a panacea for sustainable development, as it must be used in combination with other efforts to achieve meaningful and lasting impact.
Allianz PNB Life, a global leader in sustainability, commits to securing the future and encouraging sustainability among its customers while differentiating itself from its competitors by presenting itself as the perfect partner in this endeavor.
The insurance firm has made sustainability part of its brand, making itself one of the most sustainable insurers in the world, and is recognized as the top field of sustainable insurance companies according to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Allianz also scored 89 out of 100 in the 2022 Global Corporation Sustainability Assessment by S&P Global.
“We at Allianz are extremely proud to be the most sustainable insurance company in the world; simply putting it — to lead the world into a better place for the next generation. The insurance penetration in the Philippines is stuck at 2%, and we wanted to make it more inclusive. Financial awareness is very important irrespective of your stature in life, irrespective of which sector of society you’re part of. We wanted to ensure that those who are in underserved areas know that this is not difficult by giving communities a sense of how it (insurance) works,” according to Gino Riola, Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Sustainability at Allianz PNB Life.
Ride Safe Program
One of Allianz PNB Life’s most successful and accomplished sustainability campaigns is the Ride Safe Program which has paved the way for other projects such as art installation of bike racks, a solar-powered pit stop and bike lanes, and The BikeYard — a dedicated hangout place with bike repair facilities for cyclists.
The insurance company unveiled the Ride Safe Mural at Apartment Ridge in Makati late 2022, aimed at encouraging more people to engage in physical activity outdoors like walking, running, and cycling.
“The Allianz PNB Life Ride Safe Program was born out of the pandemic. When the lockdowns hit, we know that all public transport is affected and we noticed that Filipinos rediscovered bikes. The program aims to build a cycling culture among Filipinos because it is sustainable and makes you healthy, as Filipinos don’t get regular exercise,” said Kenneth Yu, Head of Brand & Digital Marketing at Allianz PNB Life.
Allianz PNB Life’s Ride Safe has been recognized both internationally and locally as a successful campaign by IBM Awards and the Philippine Quill Awards, both in 2022. The company is looking to expand the Ride Safe Program to include skills development — such as bike mechanic training — to open up livelihood opportunities for participating communities.
Commitment to Financial Inclusion among the Youth
Allianz PNB Life is also committed to financial inclusion and the improvement of financial
literacy rates in the country through programs such as Allianz Kaagapay and partnerships with
organizations such as SOS Children’s Villages and World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines to name a few. The insurance firm also recently partnered with Creamline Cool Smashers to open opportunities in exploring the importance of insurance in the sports industry and among the youth.