Companies adopting sustainable practices not only help the environment but also prove that it leads to an improved brand image, reduced costs, happier shareholders, increased productivity and other benefits.

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s behavior used by socially conscious investors to screen potential investments and to encourage companies to act responsibly. Environmental criteria consider how a company safeguards the environment, including corporate policies addressing climate change, for example. Social criteria examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. Governance deals with a company’s leadership, executive pay, audits, internal controls, and shareholder rights.

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) figured heavily in the Atram Sustainable Investing Champions. Atram celebrates these outstanding Philippine companies for their initiatives to create a positive impact on sustainability, especially by integrating it in their core operations and overall strategy. There are three categories in the Atram Sustainable Investing Champions: Wellness, Progress and Fairness. The Wellness Champion is recognized for programs that promote community health and development through education and a clean environment. The Progress Champion is recognized for its support of the circular economy and firm growth through progressive management of labor and capital. The Fairness Champion upholds a commitment to promote entrepreneurship and respect for rule of law and human rights, including gender equality.

Overseas, small and large companies publish reports about their ESG initiatives. The SEC is planning to make sustainability reporting for publicly listed companies in the Philippines mandatory beginning 2023.

In The Manila Times (TMT) online business forum, titled “Environmental Practices for Sustainable Businesses”, learn how sustainability in business promotes organizational innovation, enhance risk management, enables sustainable growth and helps to secure feasible conditions for business in the long term. Invited keynote speakers are President of Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute, Glenn Banaguas and the Executive Director of Young Environmental Forum, Ludwig Federigan. To serve as our panelist is Antonio Miguel A. Mercado, VP Head of Corporate Communication of SM Investment Corporation.