Quezon City launches landmark Green Building Code

IN a bid to promote sustainable building practices ad renewable energy solutions, the Quezon City government has approved a landmark Green Building Code.

Mayor Joy Belmonte recently led the launching of the new code, which reinforces the city’s initial green building ordinance passed in 2009.

“The increasing temperatures has affected our constituents’ health and livelihood. As the city government, it is our duty to uphold the rights of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology,” Belmonte said.

Through the QC Green Building Code of 2025, the city government hopes to make establishments more livable, comfortable and more resilient.

“It would help us mitigate the harmful effects of global climate change while ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents,” Belmonte said.

The new ordinance, signed in May, aligns the city’s policies with the targets set in the Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2050 and Philippine Green Building Code.

It outlines “green” requirements for buildings in the city, including site sustainability, energy efficiency and renewable energy, material sustainability and solid waste management, water and wastewater management as well as indoor environmental quality.

“The city recognizes that climate change is of grave concern. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a crucial step toward mitigating climate change and its impacts, and the built environment is a major source of such emissions,” the measure stated.

The Green Building Code will be implemented in phases, with its provisions applying first to new constructions and major renovations that will apply for a building or development permit.

According to the city government, the code is projected to reduce the city’s electricity consumption by 12 percent.

It could also result in a reduction of 0.56 to 0.67 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions yearly by 2030, which is equivalent to taking 120,000 cars off the road.