RP, Australia push green buildings

MANILA, Philippines –  An official of the Australian government said they are throwing their support behind an environmentally-concerned group in the country that is set to undertake a project dubbed “green buildings.”

Ross Bray, senior trade and investment commissioner of the Australian Trade Commission, said that with the help of Australian architecture experts, they will provide the Philippine Green Building Council (PGBC) information and technology it will need in putting up green buildings.

The PGBC and the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) are united in promoting sustainability initiatives in the building and construction industry, including adoption by the Philippines of similar schemes now being practiced in Australia.

“We can be of help in terms of sharing technology that are environment-friendly, such as lighting systems and those concerning water saving and purification systems. We will not replace those being used in the Philippines but what we can share are new and innovative Australian technologies,” said Bray.

Initially, the PGBC in coordination with Australian companies will put out model green buildings, “structures aimed at being sustainable, have less negative impacts on the environment and will benefit the disadvantaged sectors of society,” he said.

Bray stressed that the PGBC and the GBCA are partners in this endeavor and transfer of technology to push through with the project will likely take place.

This developed while World Green Building Week is now being observed.

In a statement, Ambassador Rod Smith said, “The Australian government is committed to improving efficiency of commercial buildings through proposed regulation, financial support, and information and support to the industry.”

Under Australia’s National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, the design and construction of new commercial buildings as well as major renovations will be subject to stricter energy efficiency requirements that are being proposed as part of the 2010 update to the Building Code of Australia.