Nowadays, it seems that every brand has jumped on the sustainability bandwagon in order to prove that they are an evolved, "woke" entity who is highly conscious of the responsible role they have to play for the future and for our world’s survival.
Companies and institutions will now herald the steps they have taken to create their own ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) Agenda and how they’re aligned with the UN SDG (Sustainable Development Goals).
This is the reason why it was very interesting to be treated to the "Above and Beyond" video that featured Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho, where he was talking about carbon neutral resorts and zero-waste resorts that were earmarked for 2030, and where he was saying that the sustainability targets of 2030 are part of the group’s core values. This was very interesting because we were then informed by City of Dreams Manila Property President Geoff Andres that the video dates back to 2019, to pre-pandemic times.
This then, was no jumping on the bandwagon scenario, but something that Melco, and here in the Philippines, the City of Dreams resort complex, have been espousing for some time now.
“We are committed to seamlessly integrate sustainability in our guests’ experience whether it be in our restaurants, in our hotel rooms, even in our gaming and entertainment facilities. Inspired by the ‘Above and Beyond’ ethos, we will continue to progress further with our green undertakings and soldier on contributing to a more sustainable future,” Andres said.
Since its opening in February 2015, the City of Dreams Manila has been initiating corporate social responsibility activities and has been improving its efforts toward environmental protection. This was further intensified in 2019 when Melco’s global "Above and Beyond" sustainability strategy was announced.
One immediate step taken back then, in the name of renewable energy, was the installation of 3,120 PV solar panels at the topmost floor of the COD parking building. Fully operational since 2020, these panels can generate up to 1.2MWh at full capacity.
A testament to the integrated resort’s steadfast commitment to sustainability is how all three luxury hotels on the property -- Nüwa Manila, Nobu Hotel, and the Hyatt Regency Manila -- have been presented the 2022-2024 ASEAN Green Hotel Award. This for environment-friendly principles that include resource consumption reduction and local community involvement. In 2019, Melco was similarly cited at the Sustainable Business Awards Philippines for its energy efficiency efforts to tackle climate change at the City of Dreams Manila.
During a media lunch at Nüwa Manila’s Haliya, a haven for fine-dining Filipino cuisine, it was informative to see before us all the big and small initiatives that Melco and City of Dreams Manila have undertaken over the years to ensure that sustainability is ingrained in the operations and culture of the company.
Whether it is renewable energy, energy efficiency, zero-waste initiatives, reduction in water consumption, recycling, digitalization of processes, sustainable gardening, or organic urban farming, there were things being done on the E for Environment side of ESG.
Under the Social and Governance side, there were workforce diversity and trainings, and extending a helping hand to communities through volunteerism programs and community development initiatives. Even on the Economic (E2) side, City of Dreams was ready to talk about its sustainable sourcing and support to local small and medium enterprises.
As a signatory to the Global Tourism Plastic Initiative since 2020, the resort has reported a substantial reduction of plastic waste through the replacement of non-biodegradable materials with sustainable alternatives -- single-use plastic water bottles in the gaming areas have been eliminated, and even those small toiletry amenity bottles in the hotel rooms have been replaced with refillable and reusable pump bottles.
No effort is too small, no initiative is left behind as the City of Dreams Manila forges ahead, staying true to the "Above and Beyond" rallying cry that Melco has globally taken to heart. That it does so, and achieves its sustainability agenda without any diminution in the standard of the services it offers, is a strong lesson for most companies to emulate and appreciate.