Lifestyle

The 2MWp rooftop solar photovoltaic system installed at MOA Square—developed with TotalEnergies—generates approximately 3,000 MWh of clean energy annually, reducing an estimated 1,430 tons of CO₂ emissions each year.

The push to concentrate on long-term solutions for the planet’s climate issues comes at a crucial juncture, with the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) taking place in Belem, Brazil, in November.

This means that for SM Prime Holdings, Inc., achieving Net Zero by 2040 will become more than just a uniting force throughout its portfolio; it will also serve as a target for improved implementation, solid alliances, and group resilience.

Empowered partnerships

The “energy trilemma” refers to the difficulties that enterprises currently face: security, affordability, and sustainability. It is particularly pertinent to the future of urban resilience and real estate development.

SM Prime continues forging strategic partnerships with leaders in renewable energy to expand its clean energy capacity, drive innovation, and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

A comprehensive and diverse energy mix, according to SM Prime, is a strategy that helps producers of renewable energy, revolutionizes the sector, and is the larger plan to lessen dependency on fossil fuels.

SM Supermalls has already achieved more than 50% of renewable energy use across its malls by leveraging partnerships with key renewable energy players and direct procurement

This energy infrastructure reflects SM Prime’s significant investment in emerging technologies. In 2022, SM Prime’s partnership with Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI) activated its strategic plans, and in 2024, it further broadened its renewable-energy footprint by partnering with TotalEnergies. The addition of Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation in 2025, along with the steady increase of leading solar rooftop suppliers for SM Supermalls, helps meet the demands for renewables through on-site generation.

SM Sta. Rosa. SM Supermalls continues to scale its use of renewable energy across its nationwide portfolio. By increasing its solar rooftop capacity, SM helps make its malls cleaner, more energy-efficient, and more resilient for surrounding communities.

This commitment to sustainable energy drives positive change and contributes to SM Prime’s broader mitigation and adaptation strategies, supporting the country’s national framework in achieving its emission reduction targets.

Energy for the people

Resilient communities and enduring partnerships for climate-smart urban centers are part of these system shifts toward energy independence. It confirms that renewables are a strategic asset, especially as they become affordable and community-serving, empowering businesses nationwide.

It also supports a sustainable lifestyle. For the SM Green Movement, this balance is achieved by re-energizing neighborhoods to contribute to the climate crisis and offering more options to become energy and fuel-efficient, while improving quality of life.

The festive Christmas Holidays at SM Supermalls. Powered increasingly by renewable sources, SM malls continue to serve as vibrant community hubs—bright, welcoming spaces that reflect SM Prime’s commitment to sustainable and resilient development.

“We started the journey with our energy efficiency programs in the 90s,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. “This lets us enjoy our mall spaces now because we maximize our energy use, lower operational costs, while hopefully, reducing our emissions,”

“Of course, we still have a long way to go. But we are trying to make renewable energy accessible at scale to our malls – not just to create decarbonization value for the communities we touch and work with – but to provide flexible, adaptive, and sustainable mall experiences. Most importantly, a safer future for all,” said Tan. ###

Nestled in the highlands, SM City Baguio showcases how natural abundance can be harnessed sustainably through its rainwater treatment facility.

SM City Baguio is demonstrating how innovation and sustainability can coexist as communities throughout the Philippines continue to struggle with water security. The mall helps ensure the water supply for its operations tomorrow by treating rainwater through its rainwater treatment system.

Rainfall is common in Baguio City, but water supplies are few. Some communities receive water from the Baguio Water District only twice a week, which they use to replenish their water tanks. Residents rely on delivery from private water suppliers when this runs out.

Through advanced filtration and treatment systems, SM City Baguio converts collected rainwater into potable-grade water, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in commercial developments

SM City Baguio’s pioneering system captures, treats, and stores rainwater to potable standards, producing up to 150 cubic meters of safe drinking water per day, with the capacity to double production to 300 cubic meters daily.

The innovative system supports mall operations and contributes to SM Prime’s Water for Tomorrow campaign, demonstrating responsible and efficient water use.

This initiative reduces reliance on local water utilities while ensuring the mall can continue serving millions of visitors responsibly. More importantly, it demonstrates how rainwater, when managed smartly, can be harnessed to address urban water scarcity.

“We’ve always valued innovation and creativity in the malls – we take it a step further now to where it truly matters. SM City Baguio’s rainwater treatment facility shows how the right innovation can secure tomorrow’s water,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.

Championing Water for Tomorrow

SM Prime’s Water for Tomorrow campaign advocates efficiency, innovation, resilience, and awareness in water resilience, and promotes the wider sustainability campaign of the SM Green Movement. Beyond Baguio, SM Prime’s water initiatives span the installation of advanced treatment facilities, recycling systems, and community engagement programs.

From 4.42 million cubic meters in 2023 to 5.59 million cubic meters in 2024, SM Prime reported a 26.23% increase in recycled water volume.

The Water for Tomorrow campaign from the SM Green Movement keeps showing how commonplace creativity can guarantee a sustainable future for communities, businesses, and the environment.

COMELEC Commissioner Rey E. Bulay and COMELEC Chairman George Garcia, together with SM Supermalls Vice President for Mall Operations Junias Eusebio and Assistant Vice President Royston Cabunag, formally ink the renewed partnership for Voter Registration and Mall Voting for the upcoming 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

In a Memorandum of Agreement signed on December 2 at the COMELEC Office in Intramuros, Manila, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and SM Supermalls formally extended their collaboration for the Voter Registration Program and Mall Voting implementation for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The renewal is another significant step in both organizations’ joint efforts to improve voter services for Filipinos across the country in terms of accessibility, safety, and convenience.

In his message, SM Supermalls Vice President for Mall Operations, Mr. Junias Eusebio, highlighted the remarkable growth of the partnership over the years—from six participating malls during the 2023 BSKE, to 20 malls successfully joining the Mall Voting Program during the 2025 National and Local Elections. He also emphasized that, as of now, 23 SM malls are already scheduled to serve as voter registration sites—the most nationwide—with more locations to be added through May 2026. During the special registration in August 2025, 47 sites across the country opened their doors to voters, and over 2.8 million Filipinos have already registered in just the last 10 days.

Supermalls VP for Mall Operations Junias Eusebio spotlights how the Mall Voting Program is expanding to make voting more accessible for Filipinos nationwide.

“These numbers reflect not just steady expansion, but the public’s overwhelming preference for organized, secure, and accessible venues where they can register and exercise their right to vote,” he said. “This partnership proves that when the public and private sectors work hand in hand, we can modernize the voting experience and strengthen our democratic participation.”

SM Supermalls executives, led by VP Junias Eusebio, meet with COMELEC Chairman Mr. George Garcia to discuss expanded voter registration activities across SM Supermalls nationwide during the BSKE Mall Voting MOA Signing Ceremony at the COMELEC Office in Intramuros.

COMELEC officials expressed appreciation for SM Supermalls’ continued support, noting how mall-based voter services significantly benefit senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant voters, and first-time youth voters by offering an environment that is comfortable, well-lit, and highly accessible. The partnership comes at an opportune time where strong public participation early in the electoral cycle was evident through the 2.8 million Filipinos that have completed registration in the last 10 days alone.

COMELEC officials and SM Supermalls executives celebrate another milestone in modernizing and enhancing voter accessibility, with officials expressing their appreciation for SM Supermalls’ continued support.

Through this renewed agreement, selected SM malls across the country will continue to serve as venues for voter registration and mall voting, contributing to higher voter turnout and better overall election experience for communities.

Close-up of the MOA Signing. COMELEC and SM Supermalls officials formally sign the renewed partnership for Voter Registration and Mall Voting for the 2026 Barangay & SK Elections, marking another step in making voting more accessible nationwide.

COMELEC Chairman Mr. George Garcia, commissioners, important agency officials, and executives from SM Supermalls, represented by Vice President for Mall Operations Mr. Junias Eusebio, attended the ceremony.

Representatives from COMELEC and SM Supermalls pose for a ceremonial photo after the signing.

The collaboration highlights a common goal: enabling all Filipinos to fully engage in the nation’s democratic processes and bringing vital voter services closer to the general people.

The newly opened SM City La Union becomes the 30th SM mall to install a rainwater catchment system, supporting thousands of residents in flood-prone areas and demonstrating how business innovation protects communities.

Proactive flood protection has become essential to creating resilient communities as climate change causes heavier rainfall and more frequent floods.

Today, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) has expanded its network of climate-resilient infrastructure across the country with SM City La Union, its 30th mall with a rainwater harvesting facility. Large amounts of stormwater are collected and stored in catchment facilities for SM Supermalls, avoiding runoff that may otherwise overwhelm drainage networks.

During heavy rainfall, the catchment temporarily holds stormwater, allowing gradual discharge through proper channels. Collectively, SM City La Union’s underground rainwater catchment system can provide a total capacity of 760 cubic meters.

A design for tomorrow. SM Supermalls focuses on sustainable water use by managing available resources to meet the needs of future generations.

Every drop helps make everyone’s future safer and more sustainable. Freshwater consumption is greatly reduced by treating and reusing water as a supplemental water source, as well as by mapping every possibility to accomplish Water for Tomorrow. From 4.42 million cubic meters in 2023 to 5.59 million cubic meters in 2024, SM Prime’s recycled water volume increased by 26.23%.

Just as crucial as the physical infrastructure is social resilience. SM Cares empowers community action by increasing knowledge of water conservation and implementing sustainable practices in daily life.

“Our rainwater catchment systems go beyond flood control — they help create safer spaces for our communities. We hope to show how climate-smart infrastructure and innovation can protect lives, livelihoods, and progress,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.

One of the world’s largest shopping malls, the SM Mall of Asia remains a sustainable marvel thanks to its water-saving solutions.

Rapid development and climate change put strain on the supply of water, which is a finite resource in many Philippine cities. In order to create a future that is water-resilient, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the biggest integrated real estate developers in Southeast Asia, places a high priority on water efficiency as a fundamental operational strategy.

As a result, the portfolio-wide water intensity is 0.44 m³/m²/year, already exceeding some of the top global criteria for water efficiency.

Every opportunity to gather and preserve water is investigated by SM Supermalls. Water-saving devices and basic low-flow fixtures stop wasteful use on a large scale. Recycling processed water and air conditioning condensate reduces reliance on fresh water, and creative methods that collect some floodwater for non-potable use promote sustainable water management.

Managing water through innovation. SM City Laoag achieves everyday water responsible practices by recycling non-potable water for landscaping and garden irrigation, cleaning, air conditioning systems, and toilet-flushing.

This efficiency means that for every square meter of mall space, SM Supermalls’ water use translates into millions of liters saved annually.

Beyond equipment and systems upgrades, culturally integrating sustainability values is part of the solution. Water education campaigns for tenant-partners, employees, and mallgoers promote the wider sustainability campaign of the SM Green Movement.

SM Supermalls was ahead of the Clean Water Act in 2004. SM City North Edsa lessens its dependence on freshwater sources for non-potable uses, optimizing resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The mall’s Sky Garden’s 400-meter green roof development is a green space in the dense urban jungle.

Creating a sustainable mall experience like no other, SM Supermalls believes that investing in efficient and scalable water management systems also means bringing everyone together to ensure water for tomorrow.

“Our mall water management systems are already at par with some of the best in the world. We do this because we understand that every liter saved eases the pressure on local water resources and secures our operations for the long term,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.

Water efficiency is nationwide for SM Supermalls. SM Seaside Cebu, the fourth-largest mall in the Philippines, uses recycled water for toilets, cleaning, and landscaping needs.

Every drop counts, and SM Cares’ expansive and distinctive community platform spreads awareness of protecting the planet’s precious resources, whether at shopping centers or on social media. The younger, tech-savvy millennial and Gen Z workforce finds the interactive and visually stimulating content particularly intriguing.

“Our work in the malls is to make sure that we give you the best experience without compromising the needs of tomorrow, but of course, we cannot do it alone. When we combine all our actions as a community, no matter how big or small these are, we can all enjoy a water-resilient future,” said Tan.