EDGE design buildings could save up to P38B – IFC

EDGE design buildings could save up to P38B – IFC

The International Finance Corp (IFC) has tapped in the Philippine Green Building Initiative (PBGI) as its partner for its green building program, which is expected to generate P38 billion in savings and cut 1.9 million metric tons of greenhouse emissions annually by 2030.

In a statement, IFC named the PGBI as its partner in promoting green building through the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE), a green building certification system by IFC for emerging markets.

Meanwhile, PGBI will serve as the exclusive certification provider for EDGE projects in the Philippines. PGBI is a non-profit group of professional associations that promotes energy-efficient and environment friendly design and construction.

“With PGBI as our partner in the Philippines, we hope to see more building designers and developers champion green building and transform the market into one that invites economic growth, minimizes resource consumption, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and generates savings for building owners and residents,” IFC country manager Yuan Xu said.

Buildings consumed about 63% of the country’s energy supply in 2013, data from the Department of Energy said.

An EDGE design certificate requires the usage of an EDGE software to prove that the building design will reduce at least 20 percent of its consumption as compared to a conventional building.