Less emissions, lower cost

By all indications, the Philippine economy remains vigorous and robust. One only has to check out Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and see the wide variety of tall and modern buildings that dot its skyline. Who would have thought that within a decade, this former military camp could be transformed into a bustling economic center? And the development continues as more buildings are being built.

As more cities across the country are striving to develop or expand their commercial and business districts, more commercial and residential buildings are expected to rise. Consequently, that fastpaced growth will result in greater demand for energy, putting even more stress on the environment and other resources.

THE NEED FOR GREEN

The Fifth Assessment Report (2014) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows that commercial and residential buildings contribute about a quarter of the total global emission of greenhouse gases. Most of the GHG emissions in buildings are indirect emissions coming from the use of electricity.

In the Philippines, CO emission 2 from electricity and heat production amounts to about 36.6 million tons annually, according to data from the International Energy Agency from 2014. Commercial and residential buildings are also the biggest consumers of electricity in the country. According to the Department of Energy, in 2013 the building sector used up a combined 63% of electricity supply, totaling 38.92 million megawatt hour (MWh). This represents a 45% increase from ten years back, when their consumption was about 26.46 million MWh in 2003.

With the annual building growth rate of about 6%, the traditional way we are designing, constructing and operating buildings, and the buildings’ long lifespan — we are locking ourselves in a high-carbon, high energy consuming environment over the next 30 years.

The solution is green building. It promotes energy and resource efficiency while reducing the buildings’ impact on human health and the environment. It reduces energy use, promotes efficiency, reduces GHG emission, while at the same time provides cost-savings and other cobenefits. Green building prioritizes lowering demand first, then adopting efficient technology and applications, and finally supplementing energy supply with renewables.

GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVES

While green building is making waves globally, there has been a slow take up of green buildings in the Philippines. Ascribe it to the lack of awareness and misconceptions. Developers do not build green because there is no demand, buyers do not buy because of perceived high cost. Construction companies and professionals do not build green because of perceived complexities.

Mandaluyong City and Quezon City led the introduction of green building regulations in the Philippines, which contributed to improving public awareness. In 2015, in an effort to promote green building that will transform the market, the Department of Public Works and Highways introduced the Philippine Green Building Code as a referral code to the National Building Code. It specifies the minimum requirements for the building envelope, along with electrical and mechanical requirements, among others. There are also green building voluntary certification systems that are gaining popularity — the US-based LEED, and the local BERDE and GREEN.

The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, launched EDGE — Excellence in the Design for Greater Efficiencies. It is a global voluntary green building certification system that targets 20% reduction in energy, water and materials. Energy efficiency is calculated using an EDGE software customized for the country. For more info, go to edgebuildings.com

IT’S EASY TO BUILD GREEN

The very few green buildings that are being constructed across the country are high-end development projects. Green building has thus become the turf of high-end properties because of its perceived high cost and complexity. The truth is that green building does not cost much and neither is it complicated. Energy-saving measures incorporated at the design stage will not entail additional cost.

Here’s how to lower energy demand:

1. Orient building following the sun’s path 2. Lower window-to-wall ratio 3. Use shading devices and overhangs 4. Use reflective paints 5. Use light/cool colors 6. Use insulations for roof and internal walls

7. Provide access to natural air and light 8. Use energy saving light bulbs 9. Install energy-efficient appliances

10. Install solar or other renewable energy

GREEN HOMES

Even small homes can go green and a great example of that is an affordable housing project in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Tiarra Premiere Homes is the first housing project design in the Philippines to receive EDGE certification from the International Finance Corp. It is an attached two-storey house with a total floor area of 36 square meters. Its design incorporates a small window-towall ratio and external shading devices, and uses energy saving light bulbs for indoor and external lighting. What boosted the greenness of this home is the installation of a 1.1 MWP solar panel with battery, which could cover about 60%–75% of the household’s electricity use. After going through the EDGE assessment, Tiarra was certified to potentially reduce consumption of energy by 32%, water by 28%, and embodied energy in materials by 38%. This means the occupant can save on cost of living. One of the first occupants of a Tiarra Premiere Home attests to the energy and cost savings of the green home. Her family used to pay P2,000 for electricity each month but after they moved to their new home, their electricity bill went down to P350.

By designing buildings with improved resource efficiency, you lock in energy and cost savings while contributing to climate change mitigation. IFC’s green building program is expected to help reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 1.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, save 3.9 million kwh in energy and P38 billion ($864 million) annually by 2030.