Sustainability you can experience
Sustainability is often framed in terms of global accords and long-term targets. While these are critical, at SM, we see it as something far more tangible.
For us, sustainability is woven into the daily experience we offer millions of Filipinos. It is not an abstract concept discussed in boardrooms; it’s the practical reality of our operations. From how our malls are designed, to the products we sell, the jobs we create and the communities we support, sustainability defines our purpose.
Purposeful growth becomes real when sustainability is practical, accessible and personal for everyone. We believe this is the most effective way to drive meaningful, systemic change.
This approach resonates deeply with the country’s young consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Zs. Our research shows they value sustainability deeply and want to see it reflected in the brands and services they engage with. They are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on environmental and social impact.
At SM, we are on the same wavelength as these young customers. Our efforts are not aspirational slogans but concrete, doable actions with measurable impact, ensuring that our sustainability commitment enhances their experience with our services and brands.
Going green
In retail, this philosophy is visible through SM Store’s “Green Finds,” a campaign that makes sustainable shopping effortless. This initiative curates more than 20,000 sustainable products, spanning everything from eco-friendly household items to responsibly sourced fashion.
It acts as a powerful signal to our vast customer base that green choices are readily available and of high quality.
Our “Green Habit” campaign further makes it easier for shoppers to embrace reusables and eco-bags, turning everyday transactions into steps toward a greener lifestyle.
By integrating these options directly into the shopping experience, we empower millions of Filipinos to participate in the circular economy, simply by modifying their daily routines.
In property development, sustainability is the blueprint for growth, defining how we structure our communities.
We champion an integrated “15-minute city” concept that seamlessly combines residential, commercial and leisure spaces. This integrated design is crucial because it helps reduce commutes, cut emissions and improve quality of life by ensuring essential services are always nearby.
This forward-looking urban planning enhances convenience and significantly reduces the carbon footprint of our residents and shoppers. We ensure that our developments are built for the future by incorporating robust climate resilience measures.
We’ve built 41 water catchments and 108 water recycling facilities across our properties to enhance resilience against typhoons and water scarcity, illustrating our commitment to protecting both our assets and the surrounding communities.
Furthermore, recognizing the urgency of systemic waste management, our waste-to-energy partnership with Japan’s GUUN Co. Ltd. introduces sustainable, large-scale solutions for processing waste. This bold investment reflects our commitment to developing sustainable infrastructure far beyond the property line.
For the people
But our commitment goes beyond infrastructure. We recognize that our success is fundamentally tied to the well-being of the people we serve.
As one of the country’s largest employers, SM fosters inclusivity and empowerment in the workplace and in our communities. We actively contribute to national employment goals. Through job fairs organized in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment, we’ve connected over 180,000 job seekers with employers, providing a crucial pathway to stable livelihoods.
We continue to invest heavily in the next generation through our scholarship programs. These programs, which have supported more than 16,000 students as of 2024, show an incredible, measurable social impact: a recent study found a 700-percent social return for every peso invested in a scholar.
This profound effect confirms that empowering one individual transforms the economic trajectory of entire families and communities.
Low-carbon economy
On climate action, we have set a clear goal: to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2040. This commitment is reflected across the entire group, moving us toward a low-carbon economy.
We are installing solar panels on our malls across the country, significantly reducing energy costs and reliance on fossil fuels. We are also investing in clean energy generation through our geothermal energy arm, Philippine Geothermal Production Company.
Crucially, our financial institutions are leading the way in sustainable finance, with BDO, the country’s leader in green finance, financing over P1 trillion in sustainable projects.
This integrated effort across energy, property and banking demonstrates our systemic approach to climate change mitigation.
From within, we are cultivating a culture of sustainability and inclusion that reinforces our external commitments. We strive for an empowering culture of meritocracy, ensuring that our people, particularly women, have the opportunity for leadership roles.
We champion a multigenerational, healthy and safe workplace. The launch of the SM Sustainability School equips our workforce with core sustainability knowledge, promoting career growth and advancing the transition from within.
Our corporate facilities, ranging from meditation rooms to gender-neutral restrooms, and including PWD (persons with disability)-friendly pathways and breastfeeding rooms for nursing mothers, ensure that inclusivity is embedded in the everyday workplace experience, reflecting our belief that shared prosperity must start with our own people.
At SM, sustainability is not a buzzword or a distant target. It is a continuous journey we take together with our people, customers, partners and communities.
From the way people shop, work and live, SM is making sustainable choices easier and more meaningful for millions of Filipinos every day.
Our vision is to make positive change tangible, to build resilience in the face of climate challenges, and to ensure that growth and progress are truly shared across the nation.
The author is a member of the Management Association of the Philippines. He is the president and CEO of SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM group. Feedback at map@map.org.ph.
