THE LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the US Green Building Council, is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. To achieve Gold, the second-highest level, a building goes through a rigorous review process that includes pre-certification, construction and post-construction reviews.
Colliers International Group Inc., a Canada-based investment management company, noted that companies that pursue LEED-certified buildings were more attuned to creating more positive business value by aligning project development with the social well-being, environmental health and local economy where they operate.
Out of the 42 LEED Gold- and Platinum-recognized properties in the Philippines as of the first quarter of 2024, the SM group’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings Inc., contributed over 15 percent and completed LEED Gold certification for seven properties as of this year.
SM’s properties that have achieved LEED Gold are the following: SM Aura Premier in the City of 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 the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
One of its recently recognized LEED Gold properties, SM City Baguio, secured LEED Gold in March 2023. The top five green features of SM City Baguio’s expansion are energy efficiency, public transport access, water use reduction, water efficient landscaping and vegetated open spaces, and reinforced concrete construction with regional materials and high recycled content.
Liza Silerio, SM Supermalls vice president and program director for the Environment at SM Cares, says that the LEED Green certification shows that independent parties affirm that “we are building our properties right and adopting the highest standards.”
SM continuously works on its other properties’ green certification to address climate change.=
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