SM malls -- the country’s largest retail chain -- should carry only products made by energy-efficient suppliers if it wants to take its pro-environment campaign further, a business group yesterday said.

      The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) made the call ahead of a climate change forum SM Prime Holdings, Inc. will be holding today with former US vice-president Albert Arnold “Al” Gore, Jr. as key speaker.

      “[SM Prime] can set an example for the entire country by making sure that everyone involved in its business are adopting sustainable energy policies,” the ECCP said in a statement.

      The firm would do well to duplicate US-based Walmart Stores, Inc.’s approach when it ordered the factories of its biggest suppliers to become 20% more energy efficient by 2012, the group said. Wal-Mart has also required toys to be made from natural or recycled materials.

      Walmart also imposes a policy wherein suppliers that fail to meet energy-efficiency targets are no longer allowed to do business with the retail chain, the chamber noted.

      While SM Prime already holds twice-a-month recycling events, promotes the use of “green” shopping bags, and has recently installed a system to lower electricity consumption, the firm “can still do more,” the ECCP said.

      “Energy conservation and efficiency should be a high priority among businesses in the country. There is no better place to start than at the SM Malls,” the group said.

      The Henry Sy-led SM group has 37 malls all over the country and four in China.