Why Green Building? GreenAP celebrates the country's 1st National Green Building Day

The event begins with a video presentation and opening remarks by the host, setting the stage for the discussion on 'Why Green Building?' Important house rules for the online event are shared, followed by a short prayer. Architect Armando Eugene de Guzman III, National President of the United Architects of the Philippines, delivers an inspirational message highlighting the necessity of sustainable development and green building practices, especially in light of the recent pandemic. Architect Maria Luisa Daya-Garcia, Chairperson of GreenAP, provides welcome remarks, emphasizing the significance of the first Philippine National Green Building Day and the urgent need for sustainable design and construction.

Architect Maria Luisa Daya-Garcia elaborates on the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) report, specifically the Assessment Report 6 (AR6). She simplifies complex scientific findings, stressing that green buildings are crucial for survival. She explains that the AR6 confirms previous catastrophic predictions, and while the situation is dire, immediate and collective action can still make a difference. The IPCC is an organization of 195 member countries, including the Philippines, providing scientific data to policymakers. The report is divided into three working groups: physical science basis, impacts/adaptation/vulnerability, and mitigation of climate change, with the speaker involved in the third. She highlights five key facts from the report: human activities largely cause global warming, human-induced climate change affects all regions with increasing hot extremes and heavy precipitation, global surface temperatures will continue to rise unless greenhouse gas emissions are sharply reduced, limiting warming requires net-zero carbon dioxide emissions, and drastic actions can show discernible effects by 2040. She demonstrates the interactive IPCC webpage, showing how regional data on temperature changes can be accessed, and reiterates that buildings are key to solving the climate crisis.

The second part of the event focuses on the "Triple S Approach": Survivability, Self-Sufficiency, and Sustainability, presented by Architects Alfredo Balbastro Bautista, Arman Tan, and Edgardo Mallari. Architect Bautista defines sustainability as meeting present needs without compromising future generations, applying to all aspects of life, including family, business, and the environment. He emphasizes the need for a change in mindset, considering life cycle analysis and carbon footprints. Architect Mallari discusses survivability, highlighting the basic human needs of air, water, food, and shelter, and the importance of preparedness in building design against unforeseen disasters like pandemics. He also points out the new challenge of ancient viruses being released due to melting ice. Architect Tan explains self-sufficiency as a type of sustainable living less dependent on external sources for water, food, and energy. He questions current wasteful practices and stresses the importance of renewable energy, rainwater harvesting, and edible gardening in designs. The panel concludes that the Triple S elements are intertwined and crucial for a coordinated action towards a common goal of sustainable living, emphasizing responsible production and consumption and the circular economy.

Architect Carmelito That Longhari (Sircap) discusses simplifying green building concepts, primarily focusing on the LEAD rating system. He explains that buildings contribute significantly to climate change through carbon emissions (from fossil fuel combustion) and the use of harmful refrigerants. He emphasizes that green building goals are based on asking 'what should a green building project accomplish?,' listing objectives like reversing climate change, enhancing human health, protecting water resources, promoting biodiversity, and building a greener economy. He introduces the triple bottom line and the importance of an integrative design process, where all stakeholders are involved from the project's inception. He then details various LEED categories including location and transportation (site selection, alternative transport), sustainable sites (minimizing environmental impact, rainwater harvesting, reducing heat island effect), water efficiency (reducing potable water use, wastewater treatment), and energy and atmosphere (optimizing energy performance, renewable energy, building commissioning). He also covers materials and resources (reducing depletion, waste management, life cycle analysis, environmental product declarations) and indoor environmental quality (air quality, thermal comfort, lighting). He concludes that while certification is beneficial, the core principles of green building can be achieved without it, and that architects have a crucial role in promoting these practices.

Dean Sylverter Senir provides a comprehensive synthesis of the event. He summarizes key takeaways: the IPCC report's urgency, the need for widespread climate science literacy, the anthropogenic nature of climate change, the 1.5-degree Celsius warming target, the importance of consuming only what's needed, using IPCC data in design, and leveraging old buildings and natural habitats. He reiterates the intertwined nature of the Triple S approach, stressing a shift from linear to integrative design processes and the need for life cycle analysis in materials. He advocates for proactive, needs-based design, tropical design principles, and local, durable, environmentally friendly materials. He highlights changing mindsets due to the pandemic, such as preferring eco-friendly transport and incorporating green spaces. He emphasizes that green building should not be for marketing, but for genuine sustainability. The event concludes with Architect Alfredo Balbastro Bautista's closing remarks, thanking participants and sponsors, urging everyone to build and live green, and inviting them to the upcoming 18th Green Forum.