Whenever I conduct lectures on green building, my audience usually ask me this question - Why build green? Oftentimes, building professionals see green building as an added expense. For most, the construction business is about making money - not losing it. The Philippine construction industry is on the way to losing its competitiveness as it continually resists new market drivers. Sustainability issues will not remain in the back seat as the market transforms. Clients are starting to demand eco-friendly materials, technology and/or products. Green building, is not a fad, it will drive designers, constructors and developers to strive in seeking greener alternatives.

At present, only a few progressive companies see the need to address sustainability issues. Fewer still, go beyond what is required under existing environmental regulations. Hopefully as they embark on this green journey, they realize that greening their business is not just about good PR. It is about making products that are safer, comfortable and more eco-friendly.

The Philippine property and construction industry presently enjoys tremendous growth. This is fueled by the income of our overseas Filipino workers (OFW), increased tourist arrivals, foreign investment, and an aging global population seeking new retirement havens; this sector continues to outperform other areas of our economy. However, these increased activities of the construction sector have also caused negative impacts to the environment. Construction materials are continually extracted from unsustainable sources; and cleaner production practices are not implemented. Construction techniques utilized are oftentimes considered wasteful – it produces so much waste and it consumes a considerable amount of resource. In the past, there are efforts that promote sustainable building but the construction market is slow in realizing the effects of continuing unsustainable practices. To reverse this occurrence, sustainable building, also known as “green building” provides solutions to this natural resource damaging activity and the challenge lies in convincing the decision makers that green building is a wise investment. It reduces the consumption of natural resources and promotes pollution reduction. Mobilizing Green building materials and techniques provides tangible financial, social and environmental benefits. The initial investment in green building is decreasing as more building professionals gain experience in green design and construction. Upfront costs of building green may be slightly higher than conventional building techniques, but these costs are recouped in the building’s lifetime.Join the Philippine Green Building Council (PGBC) to learn more email us at philgbc@gmail.com