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SM Investments and GRI Take a Step Towards Sustainable Development

In a significant move to promote sustainability among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, SM Investments Corporation has partnered with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to launch a groundbreaking e-learning bridge course on sustainability reporting. This initiative emphasizes the importance of sustainability practices for these enterprises that represent about 99.5% of all businesses in the Philippines.

The inaugural course was announced during a training workshop held for publicly listed companies (PLCs) at SMX Aura in Taguig, a dynamic event titled "Empowering Sustainable Business and Supply Chains: Building Capabilities for Impactful Sustainability Practices Across the Value Chain." This event aimed to engage PLCs in discussing the interoperability between GRI Standards and the emerging disclosure expectations set by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).

SM Investments Consultant and Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability, Timothy Daniels, emphasized the objective of the course, stating, "It’s not just about producing reports and documentation. We want to deepen understanding beyond the stories and behind the data to empower our colleagues in the industry and now our MSME partners to create real business value."

This collaboration marks a pivotal enhancement in sustainability reporting and practices among Filipino MSMEs, which SM Investments actively collaborates with across its extensive value chain, involving over 100,000 MSMEs. The free course aims to equip these enterprises with foundational knowledge of key sustainability and climate-related concepts, outlining the advantages of sustainability reporting, and providing actionable guidance on integrating these practices into their operations. Moreover, this initiative is designed to showcase that sustainability reporting is increasingly becoming a strategic advantage and a responsible business decision.

Timothy Daniels highlighted the evolution of SM’s partnership with GRI, which began in 2018. As sustainability practices have increasingly become a focal point for businesses globally, he stated, "Our success as a group is deeply connected to the success of our stakeholders, especially the MSMEs who work with us and rely on us. Through capability-building programs like this, we extend sustainability beyond our organization, helping ensure it becomes a shared practice across industries."

Recognizing that compliance is essential, Dr. Allinnettes Go Adigue, Head of the ASEAN Regional Hub of GRI, praised SM’s support in rallying businesses around sustainability. "When we first introduced GRI in the Philippines, who helped us? It was SM. They supported us in spreading the word. Within a few years, compliance grew rapidly. With committed partners from the private sector, we can continue supporting your sustainability journey," she noted.

The GRI’s first Sustainability Summit outside Europe and North America in 2018 was co-hosted by SM, showcasing its commitment to elevate sustainability practices in the Philippines. This partnership represents a stride towards enriching the sustainability journey of enterprises across various sectors in the country.

Overall, this course does not only aim to furnish MSMEs with necessary knowledge but also strives to establish a framework where sustainable practices are seamlessly integrated into their business models. With GRI facilitating course dissemination through its platform partners, this initiative highlights SM Investments’ commitment to fostering a sustainable business ecosystem in the Philippines.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the Philippines' foremost companies, deeply invested in market-leading businesses spanning retail, banking, and property. With a significant presence in the Philippine economy, its retail operations encompass the country's largest and most diverse grocery stores, department stores, and specialty retail stores. Furthermore, SM's property sector is spearheaded by SM Prime Holdings, Inc., the foremost integrated property developer in the Philippines, overseeing malls, residences, offices, hotels, and tourism-related developments. SM's investment portfolio includes stakes in BDO Unibank, Inc., the largest bank in the country, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For additional information on SM Investments Corporation, please visit www.sminvestments.com.