Preserving our energy resources will be one of the greatest challenges in our drive towards sustainable development. This, however will not materialise unless the different facets of our society adopt energy conservation principles in their core values. The future generations will be the chief beneficiary of our achievements and the best judge of what we accomplish in this field.
The built environment has a profound impact on our natural environment, economy, health and productivity. Buildings, according to the Asia Business Council study of 11 Asian economies, account for nearly one-third of global energy use and a similar proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. There is also a growing concern on environmental impacts resulting from construction activities.
 
Breakthroughs in building science, construction technology, maintenance and operations are now available to designers, builders, facility managers and owners who want to build green and maximize both economic and environmental performance.
 
But beyond these few successes, the economics of sustainability are overpowering – because the demand for energy is rising inexorably. "Governments are furiously building energy plants to meet surging demand from new buildings and their often inefficient air-conditioning, windows and lighting," the report notes. These governments include China which is scrambling to meet its energy needs.
 
In this context, the report questions why "surprisingly little attention has been paid to ensuring energy efficiency in buildings." It is far more cost-effective to build energy efficiency into the design of a new building than to retrofit an existing one, and the required technologies are already proven. In short, "the impulse for building efficiency isn't just about turning down the air-conditioning."
 
A recent World Bank study estimates that China and India could cut energy consumption in the building sector by 25 per cent, using cost-effective retrofitting of high-efficiency lighting, air conditioners, boilers and waste heat recovery systems.
 
LEED
 
The Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED®) standards is a vehicle for promoting sustainable design and construction. LEED is the most widely used global standard for minimum environmental impact of buildings. It is a voluntary consensus-based international standard for developing high-performance sustainable buildings. The intent of LEED is to assist in the creation of high performance, healthful, durable, affordable and environmentally sound commercial and institutional buildings. The LEED approach to building is used by architects, engineers, designers, real estate professionals and government officials to help transform a built environment to sustainability.
 
The LEED Green Building Rating System helps promote global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices by implementing universally accepted tools and performance criteria. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site selection and development, water savings, energy efficiency and conservation and clean air, using low-impact materials and resources, and preserving indoor environmental quality. LEED certified buildings reduce construction waste, conserve water and energy, lower operating and maintenance costs and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Points are awarded for specific practices in each area and are verified by an independent third party. Depending on the number of points earned, a building is awarded a certified, silver, gold or platinum ranking.
 
Last May, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) opened the first public comment period on LEED 2009, the next evolution of the LEED green building certification system. LEED 2009 represents a reorganization of the existing LEED rating systems for buildings, neighbourhood and homes, combined with a series of major technical advancements focused on improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing other environmental and human health outcomes. LEED 2009 will continue to seek the right balance between technical advancement and market transformation. This evolution of LEED is based on technical, scientific and market-based advancements.
 
The establishment of the LEED guidelines by the USGBC and eventually its adoption by the Philippine Green Building Council will provide the opportunity for construction managers to become leaders and champions supporting sustainable development in construction.
 
Life Cycle Costing
 
With Sustainability and Life Cycle Costing as key features of many building projects, construction and facility managers, as well as quantity surveyors, will have the opportunity to set the example to start on the path to sustainable development. Providing detailed Life Cycle Assessment of materials, elements and buildings will help building owners and developers make informed decisions relating to site selection, material choice and designs. When architects and engineers begin to understand concepts of energy savings, recycling and other green practices, they can easily expand these throughout their organization, making them leaders in sustainability.