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Here's a copy of the BERDE Project of the PhilGBC. Comments are welcome. Please send them to

ccdelacruz@ccdelacruz.com

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Developing a Sustainable Building Rating System for the Philippines

Building Ecologically Responsive Design for Excellence (BERDE) Project

Philippine Green Building Council

De la Cruz, C.C.; Manosa A.S.; Suarez P.A.; Tungol A.G.; Gacutan W.G.; Arabejo N.G.; Capistrano A.

Version 1.0

Email: BERDE@philgbc.org

URL: http://philgbc.org

1. Introduction

The world is transforming into a global economy, the building and construction sector is presently

accelerating in a very rapid pace. The adverse impact of increased building activity is remarkable in our

land, in the air we breathe, on human health, our heritage and overall quality of life.

Globally, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that the built environment is

responsible for 25-40% of energy use, 30-40% of the solid waste generation, and 30-40% of green house

gas (GHG) emissions worldwide.

In the Philippines, there is an alarming increase in the environmental impact the built environment

creates. The solid waste problem is mounting in the metropolis, an energy crisis is expected in the next

few years, and our water resources are fast depleted. An estimated 8,000 tons per day of solid waste is

generated in Metro Manila alone. The Department of Energy targets to increase the Philippines' current

oil and gas reserves from the year 2004 level of 69.5 million metric tons of oil equivalent (MMTOE) to 83.6

MTOE by 2014 due to increased energy demand. Water borne diseases account to about 30% of all

reported diseases from 1996-2000, largely due to improper waste water management and only 6 out of

115 Philippine cities have sewerage systems. These figures reflect the current stress in the Philippine

environment that needs to be directly addressed.

These negative occurrences are largely due to the tremendous growth presently experienced by the

economy and the rapidly increasing construction activity due to increased population in the city centers.

The property sector's expansion is fueled by the demand for new and premium office space required by

the business outsourcing business (BPO) and the increased dollar remittances of Overseas Filipino

Workers (OFW) have stimulated the accelerated development of more residential condominiums.

2. Green Building

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Green Building is the practice of designing, constructing, operating, or reusing buildings in an ecological

and resource efficient manner. It focuses on the promotion and practice of sustainable site development,

improvement of indoor air quality, efficient energy and water management, the utilization of green

materials and the preservation of cultural heritage.

When buildings use less energy it reduces the demand for government to build more power plants.

Improved quality of effluents from buildings helps the government maintain cleaner water resources and

improved resource management practices enables businesses reduce its waste generated at job sites,

thus, requiring less landfills.

The reduction of the negative impacts associated with building construction promotes the preservation of

the natural ecology. It is a major contribution of the business industry in the protection of the environment.

Sustainable building improves the productivity of businesses. Healthier workspaces promote building

occupant's comfort and health and boosts employee morale.

As the business industry increase the uptake of sustainable building strategies, they are realizing that first

costs are now very competitive. Accessibility to greener building materials, technology and information

are accelerating the acceptance of sustainable building. With a mature market ready to embracesustainable building, businesses are reaping the marketing benefits sustainable building provides. It

enables business maintain competitiveness and it improves the bottom-line.

3. Green Building Rating Tools Implemented Around the World

There is presently an increased uptake in green building practices around the world. Several countries

have established rating systems that are used as a benchmark in evaluating the level of sustainability of

buildings. They provide identifying marks, plaques and/or certificates to easily inform the public that the

claims of the building developer are verified by a third party organization and that the building has passed

the rating system. These rating systems continue to evolve to address technological advancement and

best practice in green building.

The following are some of the leading examples of green building rating systems:

Rating System Used Organization Country

3.1. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) - US Green Building Council (USGBC) -

United States of America

3.2. Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) - UK Green

Building Council (UKGBC) - United Kingdom

3.3. Hong Kong Building Environmental Assessment Method (BEAM) HK Beam Society - Hong Kong

3.4. Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency (CASBEE) - Japan

Sustainable Building Consortium (JSBC) - Japan

3.5. Green Star - Green Building Council Australia (GBCA) - Australia

3.6. BCA Green Mark Singapore Building and Construction Authority (BCA) - Singapore

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3.7. SBTool International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE) - Canada

3.8. Green Globes - Green Globes - Canada, U.S.A.

Credits are given to every area/part of the building that shows good environmental performance. These

systems are a good way of validating the developer's claims of good environmental performance of their

products. Certified assessors/auditors inspect, evaluate and benchmark the building against a green

building rating system to assess the building's level of sustainability. Property brokers are using the

results (especially if the building is rated excellent) of these rating systems to promote the environmental

friendliness of the building. Architects and engineers are using it as a guide in improving

the performance of their designs. Property managers are using it to measure the performance of the

buildings and develop action plans, and to monitor and report performance.

4. Need for Measuring Environmental Performance

As the market matures in to "green consumers", Architects, Engineers, Real Estate Developers, and

Material Suppliers are using "green" credentials to attract the public in buying their products and services.

At the moment, these activities continue to confuse the public and a rating system that will enable buyersto verify these claims do not exist. A green building rating system encourages stakeholders to consider

the use of concepts, green building materials and technology at the earliest possible opportunity to

increase the chances of getting higher ratings. The Philippines need to have a nationally recognized and

industry accepted rating system in order to measure the environmental impact and performance of

buildings.

5. The PhilGBC and its Vision

The Philippine Green Building Council is a national not-for-profit organization that promotes the sharing of

knowledge on green practices to property industry to ensure a sustainable environment. The Council is

an alliance of building and construction industry leaders from both the public and private sectors that shall

be the non-partisan venue to develop a nationally accepted and recognized green building rating

standard.

Relevant issues that may affect how a building's sustainable credentials are to be measured shall be

discussed in this forum. The Council shall act as a referee in determining the correctness of the claims of

project proponents by developing a national green building rating system. It shall be a consensus driven;

third party certification, monitoring and verification system that will enable all property market players to

benchmark to a single system, thus leveling the playing field. Businesses will use this mark as a

recognizable branding tool that will enable property buyers easily identify

buildings that are performing environmentally well.

6. Working Title of the Sustainable Building Rating System Project

The working title of the green building rating system project to be developed by the

Philippine Green Building Council shall be BERDE - Building Ecologically Responsive Design through

Excellence.

7. Organizational Setup of BERDE

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The BERDE Project shall be administered and implemented by a multisectoral body, to ensure a socially

and technically balanced green building rating system. The body shall be appointed by the board of the

PhilGBC from among its members. The PhilGBC may also involve non-member organizations,

associations and companies that are essential in the development of the rating system.

7.1. The BERDE Board shall be formed by appointment by the PhilGBC Board it shall be composed of

the following PhilGBC members and partners:

7.1.1. Representatives from the following Networks of the PhilGBC

7.1.1.1. Professionals;

7.1.1.2. Developers;

7.1.1.3. Property Managers;

7.1.1.4. Material Suppliers;

7.1.1.5. Advocacy;

7.1.1.6. Government;

7.1.1.7. Academe.

7.1.2. Philippine Chamber of Commerce;

7.1.3. United Architects of the Philippines - Green Architecture Movement;

7.1.4. Green Army Philippines Network Foundation;

7.1.5. Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers;

7.1.6. Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers;

7.1.7. Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines;

7.1.8. Department of Energy.

7.1.9. Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and

7.1.10. Banking Association Representative.

The BERDE Board shall deliberate on the merits of the rating system endorsed and presented by the

BERDE TWG. The BERDE Advisory Board shall vote on the rating system; when passed, the rating

system shall be forwarded to the PhilGBC Board of Trustees for approval and implementation.

7.2. The BERDE Technical Working Group shall be formed to conduct research and development work

related to the development of BERDE. The BERDE TWG

shall be led by the following:

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7.2.1. Chair - A member of good standing, to be appointed by the PhilGBC Board. The Chair shall preside

all meetings of the BERDE Project. He shall direct and supervise all affairs related to the research and

development of BERDE. He shall endorse and report to the BERDE Board the BERDE Rating System for

deliberation. The Chair may initiate, upon PhilGBC Board approval, fund raising activities related to the

development of BERDE.

7.2.2. Co Chair - A member of good standing, to be appointed by the PhilGBC Board. The Co Chair shall

perform the responsibilities of the Chair in his absence or incapacity. He shall also assist the Chair in the

administration of the BERDE TWG and perform duties that maybe assigned by the Chair.

7.2.3. Members - Members and partners of the PhilGBC, to be invited by the PhilGBC Board of Trustees

to assist in the development of the rating system. The members of the BERDE TWG shall be selected

based on expertise and experience on the different issues of the built environment.

8. Proposed Outline for BERDE.

8.1. Energy Efficiency

8.1.1. Building Envelope

8.1.2. Air-Conditioning System

8.1.3. Building Envelope - Design/Thermal Parameters

8.1.4. Natural Ventilation

8.1.5. Artificial Lighting

8.1.6. Ventilation in Carparks

8.1.7. Ventilation in Common Areas

8.1.8. Lifts and Escalators

8.1.9. Energy Efficient Practices & Features

8.1.10. Renewable Energy

8.2. Water Efficiency

8.2.1. Water Efficient Fittings

8.2.2. Water Usage & Leaks Detection

8.2.3. Water Use Reduction

8.2.4. Water Consumption & Cooling Tower

8.3. Environmental & Site Protection

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8.3.1. Sustainable Construction

8.3.2. Building Reuse

8.3.3. Greenery

8.3.4. Environmental Management Practice

8.3.5. Public Transportation Accessibility

8.3.6. Refrigerants

8.3.7. Reduce Site Disturbance

8.3.8. Storm Water Management

8.4. Indoor Environment Quality

8.4.1. Thermal Comfort

8.4.2. Noise Level

8.4.3. Indoor Air Pollutants

8.4.4. High Frequency Ballasts

8.5. Green Innovations

8.5.1. New green features and innovations

8.6. Materials & Resources

8.6.1. Storage & Collection of Recyclables

8.6.2. Construction Waste Management

8.6.3. Resource Reuse

8.6.4. Recycled Content

8.6.5. Local / Regional Materials

8.6.6. Rapidly Renewable Materials

8.6.7. Certified Wood

8.7. Philippine Architecture & Preservation of Cultural Heritage

8.7.1. Preservation of Heritage Buildings

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8.7.2. Building Facades

8.7.3. Architectural Elements/Details/ and Forms

8.7.4. Cultural Interpretation

8.7.5. Use of Indigenous Materials

9. Implementation Activities

9.1. Formation of the BERDE Technical Working Group

The Board of the PhilGBC will appoint the multi-disciplinary members of the BERDE Technical Working

Group (BTWG). The BTWG will formulate the initial inputs of the rating system.

9.2. Preparation of Initial Draft of the Rating System

The BWTG will conduct extensive research on the different components of the rating system framework.

Consultations will also be done with the different associations / interest groups to gather relevant

information for the formulation of the rating system. The BTWG will submit the initial draft to the BERDE

Advisory Board who shall deliberate on the merits of the system.

9.3. First Roundtable on the Draft Rating System

The 1st draft of the rating system will be presented to select representatives of the business sector,

government, academe, and professionals for comments and additional input. This will be done through

roundtables in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the NCR. Concerns and insights on green building in the

regional areas will be integrated to the rating system. This will also contribute to the nationwide buy-in to

the rating system.

9.4. Preparation of Second Draft of the Rating System

The BTWG will gather, compile and study the inputs from the roundtables conducted. These will then be

reviewed and evaluated for input to the 2nd draft of the rating system.

9.5. Second Roundtable on the Second Draft of the Rating System

The 2nd draft of the rating system will once again be presented to the selected representatives of the 1st

roundtable for final consultation.

9.6. Finalization of the Rating System

The BTWG will finalize the rating system and once again present this to the BERDE Advisory Board. The

BERDE Advisory Board shall vote on the rating system; when passed, the rating system shall be

forwarded to the PhilGBC Board for approval and implementation.

9.7. Training of Initial Set of BERDE Assessors

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The BERDE Rating System is a third-party certification system that will enable buyers in verifying the

claims of the property market players. The Council will train the initial set of BERDE assessors on how to

use the rating system. This will ensure that when the demand for certification arises, the Council is ready

to provide the service.

9.8. Formal Launch of BERDE

The launching of the BERDE Rating System will be conducted in partnership with the DOE and ADB.

During the launch, the DOE will formally endorse the use of the rating system.

9.9. Awareness Campaign

The PhilGBC will conduct a massive information campaign to increase the awareness of the public and

private sector on the BERDE Rating System. The Council will utilize all types of platform to disseminate

the information such as the television, print (newspaper and magazines), and radio and internet media. In

order to better promote the BERDE Rating System, a training team composed of the BERDE TWG shall

conduct an orientation-seminar for highly urbanized cities and municipalities to encourage the use and

orient them on how to use the rating system.

9.10. Pilot-Testing of the Rating System

The PhilGBC will call for volunteer companies to pilot test the rating system. The Council will provide

technical / professional assistance to the company in the design of a new building / facility using the rating

system.

10. Sustainability of the Rating System

To sustain the BERDE Rating System, the Council will work with the professional associations (e.g. UAP,

IIEE, PSME, et al) for the promotion of the rating system and the continuous conduct of the

trainings/seminars nationwide regarding the rating system. The Council will also work with policy makers

form both the local and national level in advocating the passage of a bill to provide incentives for those

who will use the BERDE Rating System.

To financially sustain the BERDE Rating System, the Council will provide the third party certification with

a fee. The BTWG will include the payment scheme in the formulation of the rating system. The Council

will also provide trainings (for a fee) for BERDE Assessors.

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