In a statement on Friday, Nov. 8, the retail and property conglomerate said that out of 42 LEED Gold- and Platinum-recognized properties in the Philippines as of the first quarter of 2024, SM’s certified developments contributed over 15 percent of the total.
This accomplishment highlights the company's dedication to eco-friendly construction standards and climate resilience, setting a precedent in the Philippine real estate market, it said, pointing to SM City Baguio -- one of the most recent LEED Gold recipients – as an exemplar of the group’s green building approach.
Its expansion, completed in 2016, integrated five core sustainability features: energy efficiency, access to public transportation, water use reduction, sustainable landscaping, and use of recycled materials.
This combination of eco-conscious design elements enabled the property to secure its certification in March 2023.
LEED, developed by the US Green Building Council, is a globally recognized certification system assessing environmental impact and energy efficiency in buildings.
Achieving the gold level signifies that SM's developments meet stringent green building criteria, including pre-certification, construction, and post-construction evaluations.
“Sustainability for us was never a fad we had to follow. It's deeply embedded in our core,” SM Supermalls vice president and program director for the environment Liza Silerio said.
She emphasized that SM’s focus on sustainability is a long-term strategy to ensure both business resilience and environmental responsibility.
The SM developments awarded LEED Gold since 2017 include SM Aura Premier in Taguig; The Podium Complex; SM City Baguio; Mega Tower in Mandaluyong City; Conrad Manila; SM North Tower in Quezon City; and SM Three E-Com Center in Pasay's Mall of Asia Complex.
These properties span various asset types — malls, offices, and hotels — positioning SM as a leader in sustainable real estate with a significant portion of the nation’s LEED Gold-certified buildings.
SM Group’s commitment has gained attention not only locally but also from international observers like Colliers International.
In May 2024, Colliers noted that LEED-certified properties reflect a company’s commitment to environmental and social standards, which can add positive business value and align corporate growth with local community welfare.
