The Role of the Green Building Code in Achieving Sustainable Green Built Environment: the Philippines

The continuing trend of built environment set forth by the rise of modernization and industrialization has led every country in achieving their respective economic development. Along side this trend is an issue that needs to be addressed - the environmental impacts of the built industry. Construction and maintenance of buildings are said to consume 40% of the world's energy, 65% of electricity, and 40% of raw materials, creating drastic pollutants harmful not only to the environment but also to human. Figures have been released and analyzed proving the contributions of built environment with environmental depreciation. Said figures earned concerns not just from different private and non-profit organizations but also the governments of every country, thus, steps towards sustainable development are being implemented. As a response, the "green" was added in the built environment. Later on, the now emerging concept of "National Green Building Code" found its role in the policy of various states in protecting the people in accord with the nature. This paper appreciates the initiatives of various countries and non-profit organizations in their drive to pursue sustainable green built environment in general, and specifically proposes an establishment of an "incentives grant framework" as an additional legislative policy to be included in the draft of the National Green Building Code of the Philippines.