Leading the Charge: Megaworld’s bold vision for a greener tomorrow


MEGAWORLD CORPORATION NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING

With a total of 38 green-certified buildings, including LEED, IMMUNE, and Good Travel Standard certifications, Megaworld is a leader in creating a strong and eco-friendly environment.

Amid increasing focus on sustainability, more and more businesses in the Philippines are adopting eco-conscious practices. Through initiatives like reducing energy consumption, striving for carbon neutrality, and embracing renewable energy sources, Filipino enterprises are driving progress toward a more eco-friendly future.

In the area of sustainable development and green architecture in the property sector, for instance, property giant Megaworld Corporation is setting the bar high with the most number of LEED-certified office buildings in its portfolio. With 19 LEED-certified buildings across various locations in the Philippines, Megaworld has demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship and energy efficiency.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a globally recognized green building certification system. It signifies a building's adherence to stringent environmental standards and its emphasis on sustainability in design, construction, operation, and maintenance.

Further emphasizing the company's thrust on sustainability, Megaworld was one of three Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)-listed companies to be hailed as Sustainability Champions for 2023 by the local fund management firm ATR Asset Management (Atram). This recognition was based on a proprietary scorecard that evaluates how companies incorporate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their fundamental operations. 

Megaworld’s dedication to sustainability is evident in its diverse range of LEED-certified office buildings, each designed to minimize environmental impact and maximize efficiency. From McKinley Hill to Uptown Bonifacio, the real-estate firm’s green buildings are a testament to its spirit of sustainable development.

LEED CERTIFIED BUILDINGS

1. 8 Campus Building A (McKinley Hill, LEED v3 Gold)

2. 8 Campus Building B (McKinley Hill, LEED v3 Gold)

3. 8 Campus Building C (McKinley Hill, LEED v3 Gold)

4. Southeast Asian Campus (McKinley Hill, LEED v3 Gold)

5. 10 West Campus (McKinley West, LEED v3 Silver)

6. Le Grand Avenue 5 (McKinley West, LEED v3 Silver)

7. Le Grand Avenue 9 (McKinley West, LEED v3 Silver)

8. Le Grand Avenue 11 (McKinley West, LEED v3 Silver)

9. Le Grand Avenue 15 (McKinley West, LEED v3 Silver)

10. Le Grand Avenue 19 (McKinley West, LEED v3 Silver)

11. Le Grand Avenue 21 (McKinley West, LEED v3 Silver)

12. Uptown Place Tower 1 (Uptown Bonifacio, LEED v3 Silver)

13. Uptown Place Tower 2 (Uptown Bonifacio, LEED v3 Silver)

14. Uptown Place Tower 3 (Uptown Bonifacio, LEED v3 Silver)

15. Alliance Global Tower (Uptown Bonifacio, LEED v3 Silver)

16. One Paseo (ArcoVia City, LEED v3 Gold)

17. Worldwide Plaza (Uptown Bonifacio, LEED v4 Gold)

18. One Le Grand Tower (McKinley West, LEED v4 Gold)

19. International Finance Center (Uptown Bonifacio, LEED v4 Silver)

IMMUNE Certified: Ensuring health and safety in Megaworld’s office and residential spaces

The company's LEED Gold and Silver-certified buildings also showcase not only its commitment to environmental responsibility but also its innovative approach to design and construction. By incorporating eco-friendly features, energy-saving technologies, and sustainable materials, Megaworld’s buildings are not only environmentally friendly but also offer a healthy and productive workspace for tenants.

IMMUNE CERTIFIED BUILDINGS

1. 1800 Eastwood Avenue (Eastwood City) - IMMUNETM Powerful (Four Stars)

2. 1880 Eastwood Avenue office (Eastwood City) - IMMUNETM Powerful (Four Stars)

3. eCommerce Plaza (Eastwood City) - IMMUNETM Powerful (Four Stars)

4. One World Square (McKinley Hill) - IMMUNETM Powerful (Five Stars)

5. Two World Square (McKinley Hill) - IMMUNETM Powerful (Five Stars)

6. Three World Square (McKinley Hill) - IMMUNETM Powerful (Five Stars)

7. Eight Forbes Town Road - (Forbes Town) - IMMUNETM Powerful (Five Stars)

GOOD TRAVEL STANDARD

1. Belmont Hotel Boracay

2. Belmont Hotel Mactan

3. Belmont Hotel Manila

4. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel

5. Hotel Lucky Chinatown

6. Kingsford Hotel Manila

7. Richmonde Hotel Iloilo

8. Richmonde Hotel Ortigas

9. Savoy Hotel Boracay

10. Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown

11. Savoy Hotel Manila

12. Twin Lakes Hotel

Megaworld also raised the bar for building standards with the certification of seven of its properties as Immune™-certified buildings, awarded by the Healthy by Design Building Institute (HDBI), cementing its reputation as a leader in creating safe and healthy spaces for its occupants.

The Immune™ certifications were granted to six office buildings and one residential condominium tower in Quezon City and Taguig City, respectively.

Notably, the office towers 1800 Eastwood Avenue and 1880 Eastwood Avenue in Eastwood City became the first Immune™-certified buildings in Asia, receiving the Immune™ Powerful (4 stars) certifications.

Properties in McKinley Hill, Taguig City also received recognition for their dedication to health and safety. One World Square, Two World Square, and Three World Square were awarded the Immune™ Resilient (5 stars) certifications, while Eight Forbes Town Road in Forbes Town made history as Megaworld's first Immune™-certified residential building.

Two more office buildings, 8/10 Upper McKinley and 18/20 Upper McKinley in McKinley Hill are also poised to receive Immune™ certifications.

The Immune Building Standard™, developed in response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, represents a shift in building design and operation.

By incorporating a Healthy by Design System (HbDS) that leverages specialized sensors, innovative technologies, and dedicated personnel, Immune™-certified buildings prioritize the health and well-being of their occupants.

Megaworld Achieves Carbon Neutrality Across Office and Mall Developments

Moreover, Megaworld attained carbon neutrality for all its company-owned office and mall developments, the largest sustainability feat in the company’s history.

Covering a total of 52 operational commercial properties situated in Megaworld's townships, this signifies a major stride towards mitigating the company's carbon footprint.

Through a strategic collaboration with Diligent, a global leader in governance, risk, and compliance, Megaworld gathered data indicating that its gross carbon emissions from operational properties amounted to approximately 69,000 metric tons in 2023. Notably, 98 percent of these emissions stemmed from electricity consumption (Scope 2), with the remaining 2.0 percent attributed to fuel consumption (Scope 1).

In a bid to offset carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy sources, Megaworld has partnered with MPower, a subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

By tapping into renewable energy, Megaworld successfully offset around 36,000 metric tons of carbon emissions. Moreover, its initiative to plant over 100,000 trees within dedicated carbon forests nationwide further underscored its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.

During the recent Earth Hour celebration in Eastwood City, Quezon City Mayor Belmonte commended the switch to renewable energy at the complex.

"Sa ating pagkakaalam, renewable energy na ang source ng kuryente ng buong Eastwood City. Congratulations, at sana mahikayat ninyo ang iba pang mga negosyo na tularan ang inyong naging magandang inisyatibo,” Belmonte stated. [To our knowledge, renewable energy is now the source of electricity for the entire Eastwood City. Congratulations, and we hope you can encourage other businesses to emulate your good initiative.]

Looking ahead, Megaworld aims to achieve a complete shift to renewable energy for all its company-owned office and mall properties within the next three years. Additionally, the company plans to activate over 1,000 hectares of carbon forests in various regions.

Megaworld's Commitment to Sustainable Hospitality

Jose Arnulfo Batac, Megaworld sustainability head, emphasized the company's vision for the future, stating, “We look forward to achieving carbon neutral emissions for Scopes 1 and 2 by 2035 for the entire Megaworld Group.”

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has also set a new standard in the hospitality industry by achieving official certification as sustainable businesses for all 12 of its properties.

With an average compliance rating of 99.66 percent based on The Good Travel Scan's 10 universal values in tourism sustainability, the group's commitment to responsible and eco-friendly travel is evident.

Rooted in the Good Travel Standard and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) principles, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts' certification highlights their dedication to promoting sustainable practices and setting the bar for travel experiences that prioritize environmental stewardship and community engagement.

Megaworld Corporation stands out in the industry with its extensive commitment to sustainability across its real estate and hospitality sectors. From leading the way in LEED-certified buildings to pioneering Immune™ building standards and achieving carbon neutrality through renewable energy and tree-planting initiatives, Megaworld exemplifies innovation and responsibility, setting a high standard for sustainable business practices and inspiring others to embrace a greener future.