SM launches free MSME sustainability learning program
MANILA, Philippines – SM Investments Corp. in partnership with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has launched the inaugural e-learning bridge course on sustainability reporting for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The course was unveiled during a recently concluded training workshop for publicly listed companies (PLCs) at SMX Aura in Taguig.
The workshop was aimed to help PLCs understand the interoperability between GRI Standards and the emerging disclosure expectations of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
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“It’s not just about producing reports and documentation,” said Timothy Daniels, SM Investments consultant and head of the investor relations and sustainability team.
“We want to deepen understanding beyond the stories and behind the data, to empower our colleagues in the industry and now our MSME partners to create real business value,” Daniels said.
MSMEs represent about 99.5 percent of operating businesses in the Philippines, and the SM Group works with more than 100,000 MSMEs across its value chain.
Free online course
To help these enterprises become catalysts for sustainable change, SM and GRI co-developed a free bridge course to build foundational sustainability and reporting knowledge among MSME owners, suppliers, and partners.
SM Investments will sponsor the free, self-paced online course. Meanwhile, GRI will facilitate dissemination through its platform partners. The course will also be shared across SM’s MSME network.
Participants will gain foundational knowledge of key sustainability and climate-related concepts and understand the benefits of sustainability reporting. They will receive practical guidance on how to begin implementing these practices within their operations.
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“When we first introduced GRI in the Philippines, who helped us? It was SM,” said Dr.
Allinnettes Go Adigue, head of the ASEAN Regional Hub of GRI, said SM helped the group when they debuted in the Philippines.
“They supported us in spreading the word. Within a few years, compliance grew rapidly. With committed partners from the private sector, we can continue supporting your sustainability journey,” she said.
What began as an initiative to strengthen SM’s own sustainability reporting has evolved into a long-term partnership that has helped elevate sustainability practices in the Philippines. GRI’s first Sustainability Summit outside Europe and North America was held in 2018 co-hosted with SM.
“Our success as a group is deeply connected to the success of our stakeholders, especially the MSMEs who work with us and rely on us,” Daniels said. “Through capability-building programs like this, we extend sustainability beyond our organization, helping ensure it becomes a shared practice across industries.” INQ
