In 2015, the United Nations (UN) established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. Ayala Land’s sustainability thrust, as outlined by the four focus areas and material topics, aligns with the SDGs. Overall, the company’s vision of enhancing land and enriching lives for more Filipinos links to SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) that aims to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” Ayala Land also contributes to the Ayala Sustainability Blueprint, the Ayala Group’s master plan to provide meaningful impact to the UN SDGs, as the champion for SDG 11.
Aside from SDG 11, relevant SDGs and specific targets where ALI can generate the biggest positive contribution have been identified below.
1.2 Ayala Land contributes to nation-building and poverty eradication by creating value for the community and the business where it is located. It invests in human capital and provides local communities with opportunities for employment, livelihood, and basic health services. It conducts training programs for the communities so that their available workforce can seek employment in its projects and other workplaces.
3.9 Ensuring the health, safety and well-being of its employees, workers and customers is central to Ayala Land’s operations. Due diligence practices and health and safety standards are continuously developed and implemented across the organization so that customers and the general public in Ayala Land’s shopping centers, managed estates, and properties, and workers in its construction sites have safe experiences.
6.3 Ayala Land ensures that its properties and projects are properly connected to the wastewater treatment facilities of Manila Water and Maynilad, where possible. In areas which are not serviced, Ayala Land installs Septage Treatment Plants (STPs) for proper treatment of wastewater.
6.4 Water management and conservation measures are implemented to address potential future water
risks. New technologies and behavioral adjustments are carried out to minimize water consumption and
achieve maximum water efficiency while maintaining a level of comfort in Ayala Land developments.
7.2 To the maximum extent possible, Ayala Land sources renewable energy for its properties. It aims to
maintain renewable sources as a significant portion of its energy mix.
7.3 Ayala Land commits to improving the energy efficiency of its projects during planning, construction and operational stages. It implements energy management programs, invests in energy-efficient technologies, and undertakes operational adjustments to conserve energy. The company actively expands its green building portfolio through LEED and other equivalent certifications.
8.3 Through the Alagang AyalaLand program, the company promotes job creation and entrepreneurship by providing social enterprises with spaces in Ayala Malls nationwide, where they can incubate, restart and develop their businesses.
8.7 The company rejects any form of forced, compulsory and child labor, carefully auditing vendors and suppliers to ensure that no underaged worker is employed in their operations and that they adhere to general labor standards.
8.8 Ayala Land is committed to the protection of labor rights and advancement of safe and secure working environments of all employees within the company and its value chain. The company adheres to all relevant laws and regulations and on labor rights and health and safety, and establishes internal mechanisms such as the Code of Ethical Behavior and Vendor’s Code of Ethics to ensure that working conditions in its projects are safe, and workers are treated with respect and dignity.
8.9 Ayala Land prioritizes local hiring for its projects, including tourism estates. To promote sustainable tourism, it integrates local communities into the supply chain to provide them with sustainable livelihood opportunities. Local products are sourced, and local merchants are given spaces to showcase their goods and services.
9.3 Where possible, micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises are integrated into the company’s supply chain to help in their formalization and growth as part of the Alagang AyalaLand program.
9.4 Ayala Land aims to ensure the efficient use of resources such as materials, energy and water, and thus has dedicated teams that undertake investments, research and development and operational adjustments on resource efficiency and adoption of cleaner technologies and processes.
10.3 Ayala Land is committed to supporting diversity and equal opportunity in the workplace. In accordance with the company’s Code of Ethics, it does not tolerate discrimination based on race, gender, age, religious affiliation, disability, union membership or marital status. This covers hiring and all employment practices including promotions, pay and rewards, succession planning and access to training.
11.1 Ayala Land provides affordable housing options for the broader market through its residential brands Amaia and Bellavita.
11.2 Principles of pedestrian mobility and public transport connectivity are employed to provide alternatives to car use. It promotes walking, biking and commuting in its developments through pedestrian-only areas and walkways, bike infrastructure and transit stops and terminals.
11.7 Ayala Land is committed to allocating open and green spaces to strengthen site resilience and raise the quality of life in its communities. The company provides accessible green spaces for social interaction and physical activities, promoting customer health and well-being.
12.2 Ayala Land is implementing resource efficiency measures for its material, energy and water consumption to address the continuing loss of natural resources.
12.3 The company works to divert food waste from the landfill generated from its properties through composting and other waste diversion initiatives.
12.5 Under the Circular Waste Management program, Ayala Land is committed to a circular economy model to eliminate waste disposal by continually using materials in one way or another. The company aims to reduce solid and hazardous waste generation and landfilling by strictly implementing segregation at source, regularly conducting waste management audits, providing alternative destinations where waste is recycled, reused or reprocessed, and using these materials in new construction projects.
12.6 To enable the company to continuously adopt and report sustainable practices, sustainability performance and targets are integrated in its annual report.
13.1 Ayala Land employs strategies to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change impacts. These include undertaking technical due diligence and environmental scanning, compliance with all relevant codes, standards and laws, establishment of 24/7 operation centers to facilitate readiness, and provision of emergency response teams.
14.2 For tourism developments located along coastal areas, Ayala Land is committed to marine ecosystem conservation and protection. The company works closely with the community and local government for the prevention of illegal fishing, coral and reef fish assessments, environmental education campaigns, marine conservation programs and more.
15.2 & 15.B Ayala Land works to restore carbon forests or carbon sinks within its landbank as part of the carbon neutrality and net zero program. Afforestation and reforestation are conducted by working with environmental organizations and local communities to rescue and nurture seedlings, plant trees and remove competing vegetation.
15.5 Studies on native flora and fauna found within the land or estate are integrated into the business model, development plan, and operations to conserve and protect biodiversity. To help minimize the impact on tourism developments, biodiversity monitoring systems that identify threatened species are conducted by project teams regularly.
15.8 Ayala Land is committed to promoting native trees in its developments to enhance biodiversity. It works to increase the number of native tree species and maintain a high share of native trees in its tree inventory.