AS BUSINESSES look for efficient and profitable ways to help save the environment, SM Prime Holdings once again initiates the Green Retail Agenda – an annual event offered to every mall tenant across all SM Supermalls, aimed at helping them foster sustainable methods relating to sound ecological strategies advantageous to commerce and trade.

The Green Retail Agenda, is part of SM Cares, a program which SM hopes would help encourage the creation of green businesses through lively discussions on new trends, materials, policies, and energy efficient practices.

This year’s Green Retail Agenda theme is Empowerment by Sustainability. The one-day conference highlighted SM’s initiatives as a steward of the environment, emphasizing the social, economic, and environmental benefits of Green Retail.

The one-day conference gather the country’s leading green advocates, Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, environmental advocates, and business leaders, all eager to share inspirational ideas and policies in relation to establishing an environment-friendly, profitable business system.

Among those present in this year’s Green Retail Agenda held at the SMX Convention Center last June 22, is Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, who gave the keynote message.

US ambassador to Manila Harry Thomas also delivered an inspirational talk during the event.

Lawyer Felipe Gozon,chief executive of GMA Network and vice president for the environment of the PCCI, gave an introduction to SM Supermalls environmental thrust via a speech titled Green Philippine Islands of Sustainability.

SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy and SM Supermalls president Annie Garcia welcomed the participants, while architect Fides Garcia gave an introduction to the AVP on the SM Supermalls Environmental Program and Green Retail Design.

Other special guests included Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, Sen. Miguel Zubiri, UK ambassador to Manila Stephen Lillie, Mark Woodward

of World Bank, lawyer Byron San Pedro (representing Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro) and Rodrigo Fuentes ACB.

Environmental champions Reese Fernandez of Rags to Riches, Miss Earth Philippines 2006 cathy Untalan and My Shelter Foundation’s Iliac Diaz, likewise, gave interesting glimpses relating to sound ecological practices.

The ‘Green Retail Agenda’ is a project of SM Prime Holdings in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, World Bank, Epson, Firefly Lighting, Meralco, NARU Technology Inc. and National Geographic.