SM Champions “Practical Good” in Sustainability: A Grounded Approach to Progress

In a world where corporate sustainability often leans on lofty ideals, SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the holding company of the SM Group, is proving that meaningful change is built on grounded, measurable action. At The Dirty Work of Doing Good, a sustainability forum hosted by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines, SM underscored that its formula for lasting impact is rooted in practicality — making sustainability “real, scalable, and community-centered.”

Speaking before business leaders and environmental advocates, SM Investments Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability Timothy Daniels shared that the company’s guiding principle is simple: sustainability must work for everyone. “For us, sustainability has to be practical. It’s not about grand gestures or easy promises,” Daniels explained. “It’s about creating shared value — making sure progress benefits the entire ecosystem, not just the business.”

Resilience in Action

The Philippines’ vulnerability to climate risks has long shaped SM’s sustainability playbook. Since 2005, the company has consistently allocated 10% of its capital expenditures to disaster-resilient and sustainable infrastructure. One notable example is SM City Marikina, built on 246 stilts to withstand flooding — a structure that doubles as a safe haven for surrounding communities during typhoons. Across the country, 41 rainwater catchment facilities in SM properties collectively hold 85,400 cubic meters of water, a tangible measure of climate resilience that helps prevent urban flooding.

Growth That Includes Everyone

Beyond infrastructure, SM’s sustainability extends to people and partnerships. Through its integrated city model, SM brings together commercial, educational, and leisure spaces — creating environments where economies and communities grow side by side. Over 100,000 MSMEs thrive within SM Retail’s ecosystem, while BDO and China Bank collectively released ₱72 billion in MSME loans in 2024, empowering small businesses nationwide.

SM’s investments in renewable energy, including through the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC) in Albay, Laguna, and Batangas, reflect its long-term vision for clean growth. The company is currently exploring five additional geothermal areas — a clear nod to its commitment to sustainable energy independence.

“At the end of the day, our vision is not just to grow — it’s to uplift,” Daniels said. “Sustainability for us means building stronger, smarter, and more resilient communities. That’s the good work we strive to do every day.”