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For a more sustainable future, we must work together to serve more communities

Solar rooftop at SM City North EDSA

One of the most serious and defining global challenges today is climate change. It is now more important than ever for the public and private sectors to work together to protect people’s welfare and improve the nation’s resilience.

When it comes to climate change vulnerability, the Philippines currently ranks third in the world. It is more vulnerable to changing intensities of climate change displayed through irregular weather systems and natural calamities due to its geographical location. More than ever, the commercial sector must align with sustainable development concepts and adopt the same hard stance on environmentally sound practices in its activities.

Mr. Hans T. Sy

“I constantly encourage the private sector to work closely with the government. This way, we can be more cohesive in our efforts to make more meaningful progress towards a better and sustainable future. As a private enterprise, SM Prime will continue to do its share in addressing climate change for the benefit of communities,” said Hans T. Sy, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Water conservation

Sustainability at SM Prime is at the core of its corporate identity. SM Prime has spearheaded sustainable practices as well as set records in pioneering programs to consciously protect the environment and strongly focus on resilience in its developments.

For one, the property conglomerate embarked on a campaign to substantially reduce its water consumption. It pioneered the installation of sewage treatment plants even before the measure was required by way of the Clean Water Act in 2004.

Today, its sewage treatment plants recycle 8.7 million cubic meters of water, lessening its dependence on fresh water sources for air conditioning operations, gardening, water closet flushing and other non-potable uses. SM Prime’s water catchment basins across 20 SM malls can also catch and store almost 79 million liters of water in total every time it rains, or as much as 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

By controlling the flow of flood water, surrounding communities have been provided more protection against the devastating effects of floods, alleviating what communities would normally fear when the rains come.

Renewable energy

SM Prime continues to explore ways to promote environmental consciousness in its operations and developments to minimize environmental impact.

In 2014, SM Prime achieved an important milestone in the country with SM City North EDSA becoming then the world’s largest solar-powered mall. Today, SM Prime is adding eleven more malls with solar roof decks.

Showing its firm resolve to advance its sustainability agenda, the company is committed to increase the use of renewable energy by 50% in 2022 across its various business segments, ahead of the national goals to be 35% renewable by 2030.

Through these efforts, SM Prime is committed to provide affordable and clean energy to its tenant-partners, minimizing the carbon footprint emission in its operations.

Collaboration toward resilience

As a key figure in the private sector, Mr. Sy and his dedication to environmental protection continues to serve as a testament to how Philippine businesses can usher positive change toward disaster resilience and risk reduction management in the country.

Mr. Sy became a member of the UN Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) on Disaster Reduction in 2012. In 2015, he was also inducted into the UNDRR ARISE (Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies) International Board as the first and only Filipino member. He currently represents the business sector as co-chair of the ARISE-Philippines network and the National Resilience Council (NRC) of the Philippines. He continues to assist in the development of multi-sectoral partnerships in the country in order to increase the ability of organizations, including MSMEs, to plan for and respond to natural disasters such as earthquakes.

“Our Mother Earth is under threat from climate change. I believe we will have an impact if we can all participate, no matter how small, and if I can make everyone aware of it. In a video interview for the 50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders project, Mr. Sy observed, “It’s never too late.”

 

 

 

 

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