For SM Prime, sustainability is not merely a statement, but a strategic imperative that is deeply embedded in the way the company operates. This is demonstrated in concrete outcomes that reflect the organization’s innovation and leadership when it comes to its environmental efforts, continuously delivering measurable progress in advancing sustainability across its developments.

Anchored in its Net Zero 2040 goals, SM continues to strengthen its commitment to environmental sustainability through the scaled deployment of renewable energy solutions in its properties, integrating solar energy to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce reliance on grid-supplied fossil fuels, while aligning its operations with global climate goals. 

As of early 2025, a total of 47 SM Supermalls nationwide are now outfitted with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, generating a combined peak capacity of 63 Megawatts. These systems comprise 118,313 solar panels installed across mall rooftops, contributing to a measurable reduction in carbon emissions and representing a significant benchmark in the advancement of renewable energy adoption within the Philippine commercial real estate sector. 

With the MOA Sky walkway, SM Mall of Asia harnesses solar energy to deliver a combined 3MW of power —enough to run 1,000 escalators a day or power 1,800 homes for a month.

SM Mall of Asia's MOA Sky showcases a multi-use rooftop with a solar-covered walkway, contributing to their significant renewable energy capacity.

SM Mall of Asia (MOA), one of the company’s flagship developments, exemplifies this commitment through its multi-use rooftop, MOA Sky. Among its features is a solar-covered walkway integrating 555 PV panels, contributing an additional 0.3-Megawatt peak capacity while offering shade to pedestrians. With a total of 11,355 panels now installed, SM MOA’s cumulative solar PV system delivers 3 Megawatts of peak power---enough to operate approximately 1,000 escalators for a day or provide electricity to 1,800 average households for a month.

SM’s renewable energy projects were prominently featured during the 2025 Energy Efficiency Day conference, where SM Engineering, Design, and Development Corporation Vice President Engr. Teodoro Bautista presented the group’s performance and ongoing efforts in operational energy efficiency. The initiative was also a key factor in SM MOA’s recognition as the recipient of the first Sustainable Energy Award for a Private Institution, organized by the Department of Energy, affirming the commercial viability and environmental value of large-scale solar adoption.  

Solar-powered parasols at SM City Bicutan’s Sky Garden provide 4–5 hours of nighttime lighting after just 3 hours of daytime charging.

Integrating sustainability, SM City Bicutan offers solar-powered parasols with nighttime illumination in its Sky Garden.

Meanwhile, another SM mall, SM City Bicutan, recently introduced solar-powered parasols within its Sky Garden. These structures, designed with both function and form in mind, utilize solar energy to provide 4 to 5 hours of nighttime lighting after a 3-hour daytime charge. Beyond their energy efficiency, these installations reinforce the importance of integrating environmental considerations into the customer experience.

“Through these initiatives, we are able to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and create long-term operational savings for our malls, while simultaneously introducing innovative solutions towards a greener and brighter future for everyone,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. SM Prime’s transition to renewable energy is a key component of its climate action strategy under the Net Zero 2040 roadmap. Through systematic decarbonization across its portfolio, the company continues to play a leading role in supporting national and global climate targets while delivering measurable sustainability outcomes that leave a lasting positive impact on the environment.

SM City Baguio’s rainwater treatment facility (RTF) utilizes a rigorous six-step treatment process with real-time monitoring to ensure processed water meets potability requirements, and its service to the community was recognized at the 2024 Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards.

Access to clean and potable water is one of today’s most pressing challenges, with rapid urbanization and population growth straining freshwater resources. United Nations (UN)-Water emphasizes that effective water management is crucial for society and the environment.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), a leading integrated property developer in Southeast Asia, has prioritized water conservation and management since the early 1990s—long before water stress and its link to climate change became widely recognized. 

Headquarters to some of the largest Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) brand names, the Three E-com Center at the Mall of Asia Complex efficiently operates its sewage treatment plant to collect, treat, and remove contaminants from wastewater, making it safe to discharge to the surrounding environment.

Through Water for Tomorrow, SM Prime’s water stewardship campaign, the company actively integrates climate resilience into its developments, ensuring responsible resource management while supporting the well-being of the communities it serves.

Sustainable water management

Water conservation measures and efficient management systems are embedded in SM Prime’s building operations. The company invests heavily in sustainable water management technologies to reduce freshwater use and the demand for municipal water supply. It has identified practical water usage and innovations to address the growing concern of water security.  

Pico Sands Hotel has reduced water consumption by advocating towel and linen reuse, inviting guests to join its sustainability journey and conserve water.

In 2023, SM Prime’s reported total water consumption amounted to 7.2 million cubic meters, with 61% of that consumed water being recycled.

On average, more than 1 billion gallons of recycled water is used for mall operations. SM Supermalls uses recycled water for cleaning and sanitation, caring for its plants and landscaping, and cooling its air conditioning towers. Efficient plumbing and innovative water-saving technologies with low-flow fixtures also regulate the mall’s water consumption.

These practices have been scaled throughout the group. The SM Offices’ E-Com Centers in the Mall of Asia Complex have sewage treatment plants that recycle greywater. Aside from rainwater harvesting systems that help maintain its urban gardens, SM Development Corporation (SMDC)’s Sea and Shore Residences donate its discharged treated water to the greening of the Estates in the MOA Complex.

As part of its water conservation program in Pico Sands Hotel, SM Hotels and Convention Corporation reduced its freshwater consumption by 36%, reaching 52% water reuse and 41% for Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club. Together with Hamilo Coast, SM Prime’s luxury and leisure estates in Nasugbu, Batangas, its water desalination plant has made significant impacts on water management and sustainable eco-tourism since 2010, ensuring that it services all developments that call Hamilo home.

Protecting water resources

SM Prime supports this year’s UN-Water World Water Day 2025 on March 22, which focuses on the theme “Glacier Preservation.”  

Hamilo Coast’s desalination plant provides sustainable water to its community, serving residences, hotels, staff housing, and offices since 2010.

Halfway around the globe, glaciers play a critical role in the global water cycle. Glacial ice is the largest reservoir of fresh water, holding about 69% of the world’s fresh water. With rapid glacial melting, altered rainfall patterns, droughts, and rising sea levels, the planet risks a water crisis that affects the most vulnerable.

Recognizing these challenges and the need for a reliable water supply, SM Prime continues to integrate water-efficient systems in its property developments. This helps create public awareness and encourages responsible water use among mallgoers, tenants, employees, and communities. In 2023, SM Supermalls’ SM City Baguio rainwater treatment facility (RTF) was launched to help reduce dependence on freshwater sources. It has treated 17,000 cubic meters of rainwater into potable water and continues to operate and serve its host community.  

SM Development Corporation (SMDC)’s Sea and Shore Residences donate their treated wastewater to green the landscape of the Estates in Mall of Asia Complex.

SM Prime’s Water for Tomorrow program plays a key role in SM Prime’s sustainability strategy, along with Net Zero by 2040 and a Waste-Free Future.

“As businesses face growing water challenges, we must take action to secure our Water for Tomorrow,” said Hans T. Sy, SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman.

“Water stewardship is an investment in our future. We must move beyond conservation and prioritize resource protection, waste reduction and water security for future generations,” he added.