Green buildings, also called sustainable or eco-friendly buildings, are becoming more popular in the Philippines. This is because they have a positive impact on the environment. Green building initiatives help reduce energy use, limit waste, and promote sustainable development. In this article, we will talk about the different green building initiatives happening in the real estate sector of the Philippines. We will also discuss the benefits of these initiatives and the challenges that developers face when trying to adopt sustainable practices.
Lately, there has been a lot of interest in green buildings in the Philippines. People are starting to realize the benefits, both for the environment and the economy. Property developers in the country are aware of the need to be more sustainable because of concerns about climate change, rising energy costs, and strict regulations.
One of the most well-known systems for certifying green buildings is called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). It was created by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Many real estate developers in the Philippines want to obtain LEED certification for their projects. This certification shows that they care about sustainability. The certification process looks at things like energy efficiency, water conservation, use of sustainable materials, and overall environmental impact. By following LEED standards, developers can lower a building’s carbon footprint and operational costs while making the people inside it healthier.
The Philippines has its own organization called the Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC). They do a lot of work to promote sustainable building practices. They offer certification programs, educational resources, and campaigns to encourage the development of green buildings. One of their programs is called the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) rating system. It looks at how sustainable a building is in different areas, like energy efficiency, water management, waste management, and indoor environmental quality. The BERDE certification is important for developers who want to build or renovate green buildings according to Philippine standards.
The government of the Philippines supports green building initiatives and provides incentives for developers to use sustainable practices. For example, the Board of Investments (BOI) gives tax incentives to developers who get green building certification for their projects. These incentives can include lower taxes, fewer fees, and faster permits. The Department of Energy (DOE) also encourages energy-efficient buildings through the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC). The ECBC sets standards for how much energy commercial buildings should use. This helps promote sustainable building practices in the real estate sector.
There are many benefits to implementing green building initiatives. For example, green buildings help reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, which helps fight climate change. They also save money because they use less electricity. Green buildings are worth more money and are in higher demand because people want to live in environmentally friendly places. Green buildings also provide better air quality and comfort for the people who live or work in them. Studies show that people in green buildings are more productive, miss fewer days of work, and have better mental health.
Even though green building initiatives are growing in the Philippines, there are still some challenges. The upfront cost of building green can be expensive because sustainable materials and technologies cost more. There also aren’t enough professionals who know how to build green buildings, so more education and training are needed. It can also be hard to make existing buildings more sustainable. But there is hope for the future. The government is committed to sustainability, and people are more aware of the benefits of green buildings. Developers are starting to think about the long-term and are building more sustainable buildings. If everyone works together and supports each other, green buildings will become even more common in the Philippines.
