Cover Atty Angela Consuelo Ibay
Atty Angela Consuelo Ibay
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For our Eco-Warriors series, Atty Angela Consuelo Ibay, head of the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines’ climate change and energy programme, discusses the challenges of being an environmental lawyer
She has dedicated her life to preserving the environment. For more than two decades, Ibay has led and worked with organisations that promote sustainability, conservation and eco-friendly practices.
From 1997 to 2002, she worked as an attorney for the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); she served as a climate change attache at the British Embassy in the Philippines from 2009 to 2010. Her stint as Climate Change Energy Programme head at the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature began in 2010, and she is currently the National Director of Earth Hour Philippines.
Her dedication extends beyond national borders. She is an active member of the Philippine delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Among her long list of environmental efforts is pushing for programmes such as the Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program and the Renewables Academy.
Above Atty Angela Consuelo Ibay
Atty Angela Consuelo Ibay
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“Before I applied for law school, I had to answer a question: ‘What kind of field are you pursuing?’ I said I wanted to be in the realm of the environment because I wanted to work for a cause. I thought that environment was one of the areas that needed to be looked into,” Ibay says.
As an environmental lawyer, Ibay is expected to work with public and private corporations. While this seems harsh on the outside, the environmental lawyer assures that there are still local companies that are in alliance with the mission and vision of WWF.
“There are corporations who are very genuine in their pursuit of ensuring that their operations do not impact the environment as much, and we tried to work with them,” she says. “They become models themselves because if we can show it to their counterparts, you know that you have people from the private sector who can comply, and they can find ways to ensure that they’re also doing their part.”
For Ibay, finding a common ground between government, corporations and civil society is essential.
Above Atty Angela Consuelo Ibay
Atty Angela Consuelo Ibay
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“It doesn’t always have to be government against corporations all the time. There are more pragmatic ways to go about it,” she says. “Finding the middle ground or common ground is crucial. I always think that the focus should be more on the environment. Therefore, we strive to develop policies ensuring environmental protection while fostering sustainable development.”
According to Ibay, there are things Filipinos can do collectively, such as make sustainable choices. “We can utilise energy-efficient appliances or eat locally because they can be more organic or natural and dispose of our waste properly. It all aggregates and therefore helps our environment better.”
Consequently, she issues her clarion call: “Every one of us should take part in preserving the environment. We contribute to our challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It is within our hands to choose to ensure that we don’t contribute further.”
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Credits
Photography: Patrick Diokno
Content Direction: Anton San Diego
Styling: Kring Mallari
Hair: Nizel Reduta
Make-Up: Nizel Reduta
Grooming: Johnson Estrella
Production: (Logistics) Dorynna Untivero and James Mayo
Production: (Assistants) Michelle Soriano and Johannah Reglos
Location: Bulb Studios
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
