Taking a holistic approach to sustainability is crucial.

If you are bent on fully embracing it, then you should know for a fact that sustainability, in its truest sense, can only be achieved by effectively addressing its many interconnected facets and complexities. Needless to say, ensuring that all efforts are unified by specific targets and aspirations is essential.

Concerted efforts

This is why Ayala Land, for example, ensures that all its brands, business segments, affiliates and subsidiaries, and their respective operations, are aligned to the property giant's sustainability ethos. Concerted efforts are necessary for the company to achieve its ambitious goal of being net zero.

As expounded in the last column ("Finding real solutions, creating better cities", May 27, 2023), the different real estate brands of Ayala Land—Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, Avida Land, and Amaia—ascribe to such a goal as evident in the initiatives they have rolled out thus far.

But it doesn't end there. Ayala Land ensures that all other aspects of its operations will be just as green and sustainable, from its logistics subsidiary, construction arm, to its property management group.

Eco-friendly initiatives

AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. (ALLHC), a developer and operator of industrial parks and logistics facilities, has campaigns to reduce carbon footprint and support communities where it is present.

Its cold storage facilities use pallets made from 100 percent recycled plastic. At the Technoparks, 30 percent of the area is for open, green spaces. It also conducts tree-planting activities using native species such as agoho, bani, and narra. The Laguna Technopark has an electric vehicle hub, while the Cavite Technopark makes use of eco-pavers for sidewalks. ALLHC even mounted recyclables fairs in Tutuban Center and South Park Center.

Assistance is also provided to schools (Brigada Eskwela and e-libraries), charities, as well as small local enterprises through the TutuBuy e-commercial site.

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‘Mission Green'

Makati Development Corp. (MDC) similarly undertakes programs on carbon emissions management, sustainable supply chain, green construction technologies, ecosystem, site protection and sustainable design, and community development.

This Quadruple A Platinum contractor has sought to imbibe the value of sustainability among employees through "Mission Green" with projects like Sustainable Fashion Show, Employee Green Pledges, and Adopt-A-Tree program. Other efforts allowed it to use eco-pavers and renewable energy; convert 42 tons of plastic wastes for its RMC plant, and recycle 435 kilos of food waste. It has also recently created the MDC Sustainability Council.

Currently, MDC is the largest construction company engaged in US Green Building Council services with 21 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification projects. As if to lead by example, MDC's own Corporate Center has an ongoing WELL certification too.

Sustainable property management

Understanding that sustainability continues well after a structure has been built, Ayala Property Management Corp. ensures that the more than 200 properties (more than 100 million sqm) it manages will be aligned with Ayala Land's goals.

Its programs encompass energy management, engineering interventions and research and development—from something as simple as 100 percent conversion to LED lighting to something as complex as improving efficiencies of district cooling systems. Other efforts include electric vehicle charging stations in malls and offices, environment programs, and green procurement, with APMC having already procured P380 million worth of green products since 2016.

Such efforts are not for naught as Ayala Land's score in the efficiency index for commercial buildings stands at 68 kilowatt-hours per sqm per year—impressive, compared to ASEAN's 128 and International Finance Corp.'s EDGE standard of 136.

Sustainability may be complex, but it's not an impossible goal. Given concerted efforts and a holistic approach in place, sustainability will soon be a natural way of life.

ALLHC mounted recyclables fairs in Tutuban Center and South Park Center.