Low-Carbon Transition
Advance energy efficiency and renewable solutions to address climate change
Energy Efficiency
Design buildings that conserve electricity and deploy new technologies to reduce energy consumption during ongoing operations
Renewable Energy
Seek out renewable energy solutions, including on-site solar thermal and solar photovoltaic systems and renewable energy credits
Transportation
Transition guest shuttle buses to electric and clean-fuel sources and leverage carbon offsets for hard-to-decarbonize air and ferry travel
Reducing our climate impact in line with the United Nations Paris Agreement is one of our top environmental priorities. To achieve our emissions-reduction goals, we have developed a comprehensive set of initiatives in energy efficiency, renewable energy and conversion to low-emissions vehicles.
We publish our first climate transition plan which
defines the time-bound actions we are undertaking
to achieve an emissions-reduction trajectory aligned
with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. We also outlined
a new target of a 30% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions
by the end of 2025. The new target complements our existing
SBTi-validated 17.5% emission-reduction target by aligning
with the 1.5°C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement.
Furthermore, in 2024 we took an additional step to better
integrate our sustainable goals with the
development of our properties by introducing the
Sands Engineering and Sustainable Development
Standards (SESDS), which were formed over
nine months of collaboration among the Sands
Engineering and Asset Management team, Facilities
management, and Sands ECO360.
WASTE
Promote reduction, reuse and recycling of products and materials
Food Waste
Tackle one of our largest waste streams through prevention, donation and diversion
Construction Waste
Responsibly handle construction waste from new developments, remodels and renovations
Operational Waste
Recycle whenever possible and find opportunities to reduce waste generation
Managing waste is a critical component of our overall commitment to resource conservation, and we prioritize reducing our largest waste streams in the areas of food service, operations and construction. Our approach involves waste prevention, process management and ongoing education.
One of our major renovation programs in 2024 was conversion of the Sheraton Grand Macao to The Londoner Grand, affecting 4,000 hotel rooms. The Company employed a three part strategy to manage the large volume of renovation waste: repurposing hotel room items for internal use, supporting nongovernmental organizations with furniture donations and providing leftover furniture to liquidators. After internal redeployment, Sands China donated 597 hotel room pieces to three local charities. The company also offered around 24,000 hotel room items such as clothes hangers, decorations, scales, tissues boxes and laundry baskets – approximately 10,000 kg of material – for donation at the annual Sands Shopping Carnival.
We continue to communicate our sustainability practices around waste management and obtain feedback from stakeholders to improve our sustainability strategy. Sands China Retailer Sustainability Training program is designed to equip our retail and food and beverage shops with comprehensive sustainability training. This program aims at introducing our Sands ECO360 Global Sustainability Strategy, as well as how retail shops could cooperate with our sustainability initiatives, apply waste recycling guidelines, benefiting from resource recycling. Among them the below stores/brands:
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
Increase purchasing of sustainable products and services
Responsible Sourcing
Integrate sustainability into our properties’ total life cycles by using environmentally preferred materials, technologies, products an services
Plastic and Packaging
Replace single-use products and packaging with sustainable alternatives and transition to reuse models where possible
In sourcing the thousands of products and services our business requires, we work diligently to avoid or eliminate harmful materials and processes by procuring environmentally responsible options.
In 2024, the Sustainability Corner Design Competition encouraged departments to creatively use recycled and waste materials to build sustainability corners in their offices or corridors. Participating team members collected waste materials, such as paper cups, empty water bottles, and egg cartons, totaling more than 5,800 pieces, and transformed them into informative and artistic displays. 20 departments participated, with 10 departments emerging as winners. At the 2024 Macao International Environment Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF), we designed an innovative Green booth using recycled and upcycled materials. The booth featured discarded wooden plywood and repurposed items from last year’s event.
WATER STEWARDSHIP
Protect, conserve and reuse water resources
water efficiency
Upgrade fixtures and systems, enact water-conservation policies and encourage sensible water usage
Water Reuse
Increase use of non-potable water for landscaping, restorooms, cooling towers and other users
ecosystems
Partner with regional water champions to reinvigorate biodiverse ecosystems, increase resiliency, engage communities and leverage water technologies
Water is vital to our planet and integral to our business, which is why we diligently manage this precious natural resource. Our conservation initiatives focus on using water efficiently in our operations, as well as improving our regions’ water quality.
To engage team members, Sands China held a Water Conservation Week in October, which featured interactive activities and game booths that educated about water pollution and provided water-saving resources. More than 2,000 team members participated and learned practical water-saving tips. Additionally, the “Flip and Learn” session allowed team members to discover information about water conservation. All materials used, including game cards and photo props, were made from cardboard and designed for reuse. Participants were rewarded with reusable umbrella cases made from recycled plastic bottles.
Biodiversity
Reduce deforestation, protect marine environments and preserve natural ecology
While working to preserve biodiversity under several of our Planet pillar initiatives, we are pursuing deeper understanding of the impact we make on oceans, fresh water and land to continue evolving our efforts with a well defined strategy and actions.
As a long-time supporter of City Nature Challenge, Sands China hosted a variety of engagements to promote awareness and collect biodiversity data. A BioBlitz activity guided participants to record plants, animals, insects and birds within The Venetian Macao’s green belt, while a biodiversity photo competition encouraged mobile image capture of organisms in Sands China resort surroundings. Activities added more than 3,000 species to Macao records for scientific research and conservation work.
