B I OD I VERS I T Y Biodiversity loss has quickly risen to the top of sustainability agendas around the world. Many experts say it is one of the three most severe global risks following climate action failure and extreme weather. As pressure continues to mount, businesses must rethink their ability to thrive in harmony with nature. To further our biodiversity strategy, we plan to round out existing water and nature conservation programs by strengthening efforts to prevent deforestation. Our pathway necessitates identification of sustainable alternatives for palm oil and high-volume wood and paper products. We are also evaluating other deforestation hot spots in our supply chain from agricultural commodities such as coffee and cocoa. As we work to address these areas, our interim focus is on increasing purchases of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified products for wood, paper and single-use disposables. Accomplishments We already are making progress in the foundational areas of our biodiversity strategy. Deforestation Prevention: By sourcing FSC-certified products, we protect precious rainforests and old growth forests by ensuring wood and paper materials come from responsibly managed sources. In 2022, Sands China sourced nearly $1 million of FSC-certified products, including tissue and hand towels; paper plates, cups and napkins; coasters, bags, bamboo sticks and skewers; and some furniture and furnishings. Marina Bay Sands has upgraded boxed amenities in newly renovated rooms with FSC-certified packaging materials, and a majority of toilet paper and tissues is made either from 100% pure or mixed FSCcertified materials. Globally, we are now sourcing Nespresso coffee produced using Rainforest Alliance-endorsed practices for sustainable farming management and community resilience. Ocean Health: We continue to remove highly vulnerable ocean species from our seafood supply chain. See pages 17 and 63 in the Appendix for more information. Nature Conservation: The Communities pillar of our corporate responsibility platform aims to preserve our regions’ natural heritage through environmental education and volunteerism for local conservation initiatives. See details in cultural and natural heritage on page 36. 66 More information and data on biodiversity can be found in the Appendix on page 66. ENGAG I NG ON OCEAN B I OD I VERS I T Y As part of its continuing work through Sands’ Drop by Drop Project, Conservation International Singapore developed a five-part virtual learning series to boost ocean literacy and the understanding of biodiversity. The series was featured at the ArtScience Museum™ over three days, in which more than 400 people viewed films and participated in an interactive activity for the Whales in a Changing Ocean screening. Marina Bay Sands also shared the series at its Sustainability Action Day, reaching nearly 800 Team Members and their families. The event marked the launch of the 10 for Zero competition, which aims to engage with 10,000 youths aged 16 to 35 to assess sustainability issues and opportunities in Singapore, with an emphasis on the relevance of climate change and ocean conservation on their well-being and future. Conservation International’s Valen’s Reef, an immersive virtual reality exploration that highlights the rich biodiversity and mangrove ecosystem of the Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area in Indonesia, was also showcased at the event. AT A GL ANCE P I L L AR Planet APPROACH Biodiversity1 Deforestation Prevention Reduce key drivers of deforestation in our supply chain Ocean Health Protect marine environments and safeguard vulnerable species Nature Conservation Preserve ecology through education and nature-based carbon removal projects Biodiversity is an emerging topic that we have been addressing as part of our commitment to water stewardship, sourcing, and cultural and natural heritage. We are in the process of building a comprehensive biodiversity strategy by gaining understanding of our impacts and opportunities relating to three key realms: oceans, freshwater and land. Biodiversity-related initiatives already in place as part of other focus areas include our sustainable seafood program (see sourcing on page 17), in which we are eliminating shark fin and non-certified bluefin tuna from our supply chain; the Drop by Drop Project, which involves reinvigoration of local water ecosystems (see water stewardship on page 18); and engagement activities that bring Team Members closer to nature for a greater understanding of their role in limiting biodiversity loss. 1 While not a formal focus in our strategy platform, biodiversity continues to emerge as a topic of importance in our materiality assessment (see page 53). We have been addressing biodiversity under several topic areas and are formulating our biodiversity approach for incorporation into our Planet pillar. APPENDIX GOVERNANCE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OUR PERFORMANCE INTRODUCTION OUR STRATEGY 19 CLOSING
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