The local government is now pushing for the promotion of “holistic green building practices” in the city as one way to address climate change through energy efficiency investments.
In a statement posted in Makati’s website, Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay underscores the importance of looking after the city’s future through compliance with advanced levels of environmental standards.
“We have resolved to develop and implement a Green Building Code that will require new constructions to comply with advanced levels of environmental standards, and provide incentives for retrofitting existing buildings to promote energy efficiency,” the mayor said.
Earlier, the city government, in partnership with the British Embassy Manila, recently hosted a day-long forum on climate change at the Session Hall of Makati City Hall.
During the event, British Ambassador Stephen Lillie and Philippine Climate Change commissioner Roderev Saño joined Makati City administrator Marjorie de Veyra in welcoming some 100 participants in the forum. Among them representatives from the national government, the Senate and the Congress, other local government units, the business sector, concerned civic groups, non-governmental organizations, and members of media.
In his speech, Lillie emphasized the thrust of his government in partnering with the Philippine government and the city of Makati, in pursuing climate change policies and advocacy.
One of the approaches that he mentioned in arresting climate change, was carbon capture amidst continued use of fossil fuels such as coal.
For his part, British Economic Attaché Mark Canlas presented a report on the fossil fuel subsidies by some countries in Southeast Asia.
Fossil fuel subsidies have both advantages and disadvantages for the rich and the poor, he said.
However, the rich who use cars are the ones that benefit more from these subsidies, he added.
He enjoined all sectors to lobby Southeast Asian countries who continually grant subsidies to lift these policy measures.
Meanwhile, participants were also shown the results of a study conducted among six countries in Southeast Asia in which the Philippines ranked a promising third in the overall ranking of the best investment destination based on energy efficiency parameters.
