To address this need and its responsibility to take care of the environment in areas where it operates, EDC implements its BINHI greening legacy program. BINHI (or seedling in English) is the Philippines’ first comprehensive private-sector led reforestation program that employs science to bridge forest gaps, restore denuded forests, and bring back to abundance 96 vanishing premium native tree species. By restoring 7,937 hectares of denuded forests inside our geothermal reservations through BINHI, EDC is able to capture 19,000 metric tons of carbon annually.
BINHI represents the heart of EDC’s environmental efforts. This strategic approach to reforestation protects and rehabilitates Philippine forests in a holistic manner while propagating native tree species and enhancing the biodiversity in its areas of operation through four modules: Tree For Life, Tree for Food, Tree for Leisure, and Tree for the Future. These four modules include activities such as establishing and maintaining tree plantations and agro-forest farms as alternative sources of livelihood for the communities living within the company’s geothermal reservation; identifying, securing and rescuing threatened premium native tree species from possible extinction; as well as the preservation of forest areas for leisure purposes or for conversion into eco-tourism destinations in collaboration with NGOs and community associations.
All these enable EDC to provide clean, renewable, sustainable power for present and future generations as it enhances the environment and provides inclusive growth for its host communities.