Working Together to Serve More Communities for a Sustainable Future

Solar rooftop at SM City North EDSA

Climate change is one of the most pressing and defining global issues today. It has become imperative for both the public and private sectors to continue to band together to primarily, safeguard the welfare of the people and to step up to strengthen the resilience of the nation.

The Philippines currently ranks third globally when it comes to climate change vulnerability. In relation to its geographical location, it is more exposed to altering intensities of climate change manifested through erratic weather systems and natural calamities.

The private sector is called upon now more than ever to align with the principles of sustainable development and to take on the same firm stance on environmentally sound practices in its operations.

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.

In 2012, Mr. Sy joined the United Nations Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) for Disaster Reduction. In 2015, he was also inducted as the first and only Filipino member UNDRR ARISE (Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies) International Board. He currently serves as co-chair in the ARISE-Philippines network and National Resilience Council (NRC) of the Philippines, representing the private sector. He continues to help develop multi-sectoral partnerships in the country to strengthen the ability of corporations, including MSMEs, to prepare and respond to disasters brought about by natural hazards such as earthquake.

“Climate change is looming over our Mother Earth. If we can contribute no matter how little and if I can get everybody to be aware of it, I think we will make an impact. It’s never too late,” said Mr. Sy in a video interview for the 50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders initiative.

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“Green Switch,” SM’s Solar Rooftop Project

SM City North EDSA is now the biggest solar powered mall in the world with over 5,760 solar panels with a maximum capacity of 1.5 megawatts!

With President Benigno S. Aquino III as guest of honor. See his Speech (source: official gazette)

SM City North EDSA launched the country’s largest solar rooftop power plant on Nov. 24, Monday. The Green Switch SM Solar Rooftop Launch, hosted by Kim Atienza, took place in SM North’s Northlink Building roof deck where government officials such as President Noynoy Aquino, Senator Loren Legarda, House Speaker Sonny Belmonte and Q.C. Mayor Herbert Bautista were in attendance. The president of Solar Philippines, Leandro Leviste, was also there to welcome the honored guests in celebrating the mall’s contribution to a healthier and safer environment.

This initiative to use renewable energy resource, such as solar energy, has been previously adapted by SM City Xiamen in main land China. Solar Philippines hopes to locally promote cleaner air, save electricity, and prevent climate change through partnering with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. by establishing more solar panels that has started with SM North EDSA, and will hopefully progress to other SM Malls.


President of SM Supermalls, Annie Garcia, informed all that they are already aiming to initiate this same project to a number of SM branches. “After SM City North EDSA’s green switch today, we shall begin installing solar panels in SM City Cavite and SM City Dasamariñas in Cavite. SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City shall follow next with 10,534 solar panels to be installed,“ said Garcia.

“With the future generation in mind, we shall continue to seek ways and solutions to climate change. We shall continue to collaborate with the best,” added the president of SM Supermalls.

Currently, the 5,760 solar panels in SM North EDSA have the capability of powering 16,000 lighting fixtures, 59 escalators and 20 elevators while counteracting 1,200 tons of carbon emissions (CO2) per year. These panels are also expected to generate 1.5 megawatts of solar energy, which is equivalent to covering five percent of the mall’s consumption per day, therefore saving an estimated two million pesos a month.

Alejandro Leviste, 21 year old founder of Solar Philippines, also shared his thoughts about the joyous milestone of this project. He expressed how SM’s involvement in solar energy could inspire more businesses to get into the use of renewable energy to save the environment. “The one thing I want to underscore in this message is that SM’s support for solar energy is important far beyond this project in itself. Today marks a watershed moment for solar in the Philippines, because where SM goes, the rest of Philippines will follow. SM is a spark that ignites the future of a massive shift towards solar energy,” said Leviste.

With the country facing a potential energy shortage in 2015, harnessing the sun’s power will grant long-term benefits for the Philippines, both environmentally and economically. It is SM’s hope that their new way of conserving electricity and saving the environment will also inspire other establishments to follow