SM Prime: Engineering a Sustainable Future

“We understand the magnitude of the challenges we face to achieve our Net-Zero commitment. SM Prime is determined to take action and meet its climate commitments. This is one of our top agendas in sustainability.” ~Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime President and CEO

SM Prime leads the way in sustainable development, integrating sustainability into its core business strategy.

Sustainability has become a driving force in all industries. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of Asia's leading integrated property developers, prioritizes sustainability through a strategic framework that capitalizes on the company's extensive operations, significant economic impact, and cultural influence.

SM Prime's sustainability journey began in the 1990s, with a focus on resilience and practicality. The company has always valued substance over style, preferring strategies based on real-world application over flashy, short-term solutions.  Its strategy is based on what is truly important to the business and the community it serves, ensuring that its sustainability efforts are effective and long-lasting.

In its 2023 Annual Integrated Report, SM Prime introduced its Sustainability Ambition Roadmap with a clear and powerful message: Together for a Sustainable Future, which is consistent with the company's vision of creating and managing innovative, sustainable, and integrated property developments that improve the quality of life for everyone.

SM Prime’s sustainability strategy is built on three main goals:

1. Environmental sustainability
2. Prosperity for all
3. Climate resilience

Building on its Economy, People, Planet, and Community sustainability framework, SM Prime identified three major goals to pursue: environmental sustainability, prosperity for all, and climate resilience, all with the goal of creating a future marked by sustainability, resilience, and widespread prosperity in 2030, 2040, and beyond.

The company's environmental sustainability strategy includes two significant programs: Net Zero by 2040 and #SMWasteFreeFuture.

Net Zero by 2040

SM Prime is dedicated to improving people's quality of life by stepping up climate action, lowering disaster risks, investing in resilient design, protecting biodiversity, and implementing strategic corporate social responsibility programs, with a primary focus on climate action toward a net-zero business. The company has been collaborating with the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature-Philippines to establish science-based targets that are consistent with the global commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

SM City Santa Rosa's solar photovoltaic (PV) system has 5,772 panels at 3.088 MWp capacity and has an annual solar energy production of up to 4.292GWh.

#SMWasteFreeFuture

SM Prime launched its vision for an #SMWasteFreeFuture, in support of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) International Day of Zero Waste. The program introduces a simple segregation scheme: Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable (RDC), all aimed at reducing overall waste generation and increasing the waste diversion rate from landfills through sustainable disposal methods. The initiative was launched nationwide for SM employees and across all SM property groups and stakeholders.

SM Prime continues to support existing programs and partnerships that promote better waste management solutions. Initiatives such as SM Supermalls’ Trash-to-Cash recycling market, Plastic Waste Collection and E-Waste Collection programs, and regular coastal and estero clean-up activities effectively engage the community in rethinking their relationship with waste.

To address food waste, SM Hotels and Convention Corporation (SMHCC) has pioneered projects such as The Sustainable Diner with WWF-PH, diverting 198,640 kg of food waste through bokashi composting and 40,013 kg through biodigesters. SMHCC also launched Tela Tales, a program that recycles condemned linens. 

SM Prime gathers the community for a #SMWasteFreeFuture.

SM Development Corporation (SMDC) recently partnered with Globe and Scholars of Sustenance Philippines for the Hapag Movement, aimed at targeting food waste and involuntary hunger affecting millions of Filipinos.

“As a community, we strongly believe in our ability to contribute to solving today's waste issues. We understand that this may seem like a daunting challenge to overcome. However, by joining forces, we can create a world that our future generations truly deserve – if we have the courage to take on this journey together.” ~Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr., President of SM Engineering Design and Development Corporation (SMEDD) and SM Sustainability Champion

Water stewardship

SM Prime is committed to water stewardship by implementing innovative water conservation and management practices that make properties more responsive and adaptable to changing community needs.

Its sewage water treatment plants process wastewater, preventing contaminated water from polluting local waterways and allowing it to be reused. Malls use recycled water to flush toilets, operate air conditioning systems, and green the landscape.

SM City Baguio’s Rainwater Filtration Facility addresses water security and ensures a safe and sufficient water supply for the operations of the mall and its tenants.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s Chairman Henry T. Sy, Jr. receives SM Prime’s 30th Listing Anniversary Plaque from the Philippine Stock Exchange’s President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon.

Prosperity for all

SM Prime's developments drive socioeconomic progress, providing tangible benefits to all stakeholders. Henry Sy founded the company, and it remains committed to his vision of bringing world-class development to the Philippines. A vision perfectly exemplified by the Mall of Asia Complex, which serves as a blueprint for future cities that look beyond commercial success and embrace a holistic approach to urban development.

SM Prime celebrated its 30th anniversary as a publicly traded company on July 23, marking three decades of service and transformative growth in the Philippine real estate industry. 

“True leadership is marked by a solid dedication to collective success. Our journey at SM Prime demonstrates the power of dreaming big and the incredible achievements that follow when you pursue those dreams with determination and hard work.” ~Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime President and CEO