SM City Baguio showcases sustainability to San Beda students

BAGUIO CITY — Students from the San Beda University College of Arts and Sciences recently toured SM City Baguio to examine how sustainability initiatives are integrated into large-scale commercial operations.

The visit, organized as a sustainability learning tour, introduced students to environmental features embedded in the mall’s design and operations, offering a practical view of how businesses can reduce environmental impact while serving the community.

One of the mall’s most visible sustainability elements is its open-air architectural design, which maximizes natural lighting and ventilation.

The approach reduces dependence on artificial lighting and air conditioning, helping lower overall energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable environment for shoppers.

Students were also shown the mall’s rainwater catchment system, which collects and stores rainwater for operational uses.

The system supports responsible water management and helps reduce demand on municipal water supplies.

Another stop during the tour was the mall’s electric vehicle charging station, a facility designed to support the growing transition to cleaner transportation by providing charging access for electric vehicle users.

Officials said the visit was intended to connect classroom learning with real-world environmental practices.

Dr. Moses Angeles, vice dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the experience allowed students to see sustainability not just as a concept but as a long-term institutional commitment.

“I think one of the crucial things the students must have learned is not only about the actual output but the commitment of SM Baguio — that commitment really to become a sustainable institution not simply for the sake of business,” Angeles said. “It is about the community, about the environment and ultimately the commitment to preserve our common home.”

The sustainability tour also illustrated how private sector initiatives can complement environmental education and community engagement.

Through programs such as educational tours and sustainability briefings, SM Supermalls said it aims to provide learning opportunities for schools and organizations interested in environmental stewardship and sustainable urban development.