SM Investments Corp. said it remains on course to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2040, betting that investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable finance will strengthen both its environmental performance and long-term business resilience.
Speaking at the MUFG NOW Manila forum, “Pathways to a Sustainable Future: Opportunities and Challenges,”Timothy Daniels, consultant and head of Sustainability and Investor Relations at SM Investments, said the conglomerate’s emissions target is anchored on practical investments already being rolled out across its businesses.
“When we looked at our emissions, we identified where we could make meaningful reductions and developed a target supported by specific programs and investments. We wanted a goal that reflects what we can achieve based on actions we are taking today,” Daniels said.
He said sustainability has become less about compliance and more about competitiveness.
“For us, sustainability helps reduce costs, improve reliability, and make our operations more resilient. It’s simply part of how we run the business,” he said.
Across the SM Group, more than 200,000 solar panels have been installed on commercial properties, helping lower electricity costs while reducing reliance on the grid.
Its mining arm, Carmen Copper Corp., has also deployed an 8,540-panel floating solar farm at the Malubog Reservoir in Cebu. The 4.99-megawatt facility is expected to supply roughly 10 percent of the mine’s electricity requirements.
SM is also expanding its clean energy footprint through Philippine Geothermal Production Co., which operates geothermal steam fields in South Luzon.
The group’s sustainability push extends beyond its own operations. Through BDO Unibank, SM has mobilized around P1.2 trillion in sustainable financing, including funding for 71 renewable energy projects with a combined installed capacity of 6,165 MW.
Daniels said corporate decarbonization, however, cannot be achieved by individual companies alone.
While businesses can improve efficiency and invest in renewable power, he said deeper emissions cuts will ultimately depend on faster renewable energy deployment, stronger transmission networks, and continued grid modernization.
Sustainability is no longer just an environmental commitment for SM. It is becoming a business strategy that lowers costs, strengthens resilience, and positions the conglomerate for a lower-carbon economy.
