This initiative, led by Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr., the President of SM Engineering Design and Development Corporation (SMEDD), underscores SM Prime’s commitment to fostering environmental awareness and sustainable practices among the youth. According to Chico, they are ensuring that science-based initiatives and educational programs are at the forefront of SM Prime’s quest for sustainability.

“In today’s critical era of global warming, education and scientific thinking are our best tools,” asserts Chico. “By rooting our climate advocacy in science, we are enabling the youth to have the right framework and mindset to be engineers and architects of change. I firmly believe that when we combine science and education with a passion for the planet, we take one of the most meaningful actions for our world’s future.”

Inspiring Young Minds

YOUth are the Future brought some of Metro Manila’s best high schools together for a preliminary three-day eco camp from November 24 to 26, 2023, at the Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club. The eco-camp was the second in a threephase program, giving students a deeper look into biodiversity, climate change, energy, and water. With insights from the country’s brightest environmental thinkers, the eco camp emphasized the urgency to act against climate change and protect our resources – a call that the young are in a perfect position to push forward.

The eco-camp affirmed a fundamental truth about climate change and the younger generation. “Climate change isn’t a distant threat; it’s a reality reshaping our everyday lives. Our youth, standing at the forefront of tomorrow, are the ones who will navigate increasingly complex environmental challenges. This program isn’t just about awareness; it’s about preparing them to face, adapt to, and mitigate these impacts with resilience and innovation,” asserts Chico Sy.

Sustainability is Non-negotiable

According to Chico, “SM Prime’s stance on sustainability is non-negotiable.” So ingrained are the organization’s efforts towards sustainability that they are tied to the Sy family’s understanding of what is good. As Chico’s father and SM Prime’s Chairman of the Executive Committee, Mr. Hans T. Sy, Sr., said, “We do it not because there is a law that will require us, not because there would be savings, but because it is the right thing to do.”

Part of SM Prime’s efforts in promoting sustainability is reflected in the design of new SM properties across the Philippines, which now include addressing the climate-related concerns of the community, customer and employee health and safety, and creating a culture of sustainability to ensure stakeholders are always safe and secure at SM.

Chico agrees with his father’s belief that to ensure total safety, they must invest in resilience measures and reduce environmental and social vulnerability while improving efforts to protect physical assets and reduce recovery expenses.

Their efforts in terms of environmental sustainability show in SM Prime properties across the country. From achieving Gold LEED certifications for SM Aura Premier and five other malls to green designs such as rainwater catchment and storage in SM City Masinag and SM Lanang Premier, and innovative designs found in SM City Cabanatuan, SM Marikina, and SM Baguio, SM malls are now being transformed into locations vital to climate resilience, community development, and even as refuge centers during times of calamities.

The group’s sustainability beliefs do not end with mall design. They also believe that developing the correct skill set for future engineers in construction projects in the provinces is essential for the company and for developing local communities. For Chico and his group at SMEDD, working with local governments to develop and employ local talent or encourage those based in Manila to move to the provinces is vital. They also advocate for younger individuals to pursue careers in engineering, project management, and design and to practice on-site where challenges are more considerable.

SMEDD’s efforts in employee engagement also include emphasizing employee values and culture. They ensure management and employees make the right decisions based on company values, on-the-job safety, commitment to the project, and stakeholder engagement. They also believe collaboration with external stakeholders, such as suppliers and contractors, plays a big role in value creation and development.

Real World Classroom

With so many projects to showcase, SM Prime ensured that YOUth are the Future went beyond technical lectures to allow students to see sustainability’s immense possibilities in more exciting and practical terms.At SM MOA, students witnessed the use of solar panels for renewable energy and free electric vehicle charging stations. They also visited the sewage treatment plant in the Four ECom office building and the LED lights and energy-saving technologies used in the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, an earlier activity taught students about Bokashi composting and the efforts made by SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. to create a circular economy.

By showcasing these features, the walk-through reiterates the possibility of integrating sustainability principles in retail and everyday life. It demonstrates what Chico and his team mean when they say, “We are committed to making sure that things change for the better.”

SM MOA’s Solar Carpark alone is a noteworthy innovation. It is one of the most massive on-site solar projects globally. Compared to SM North Edsa’s 1.5-megawatt (MW) Solar Carpark, the one at MOA boasts 2.7 MW. With 10,426 solar panels and 40 inverters, it provides nearly 20% of MOA’s power supply. Unlike many large-scale solar projects, it does not require the displacement of farmlands or forests. Instead, the solar car park leverages a rooftop installation (a previously unused spot) and provides a “green roof” to cars. Between 2016 and 2046, the MOA Solar Carpark will offset more than 80,000 tons of CO2 – equivalent to planting 400,000 trees.

YOUth are the Future tapped not only SM MOA’s environmental infrastructure but also SM Prime’s marine protected areas as a real-world classroom. At the program’s eco-camp, the students experienced all things nature with a hike of Pico de Loro’s Santelmo Eco-Trail and a guided tour of Santelmo’s mangrove forests – a unique opportunity offered by the program’s venue, as Hamilo Coast boasts not one, not two, but 13 beautiful coves.

Established as marine protected areas for Hamilo Coast’s sustainability project, these MPAs prove SM Prime’s commitment to sustainable tourism and economically conscious living. The area is also famous for its Olive Ridley Sea Turtle conservation methods, making it the ideal venue for an immersive experience bridging theory with practice.

Green Manifesto

With nature’s majesty as a fitting backdrop, the students culminated the second phase of YOUth are the Future by developing a Green Manifesto – a video containing a clear list of their plans for innovation – and a storybook module that they all worked on collectively. According to online marketing research, the video manifesto has made the most impact on the public, generating over 30,000 online engagements and reaching over 110,000 active users.

As more youth leaders experience the leadership program led by SM Prime Holdings and WWFPhilippines, one thing becomes clear: No effort to create a greener, more sustainable life for Filipinos will ever be wasted on the young as far as SM Prime is concerned.

As for Chico, he looks forward to working on more climate and sustainability projects as President of SMEDD. Plans are already in the pipeline to expand solar energy projects across more SM malls and integrate green building designs in future developments.

These projects aim to reduce SM Prime’s carbon footprint and promote renewable energy sources. He is also keen on launching groupwide waste management program, emphasizing waste reduction and sustainable resource management. All these plans are in line with the company’s overall Sustainability Roadmap.