Arthaland, the country’s foremost green developer, shares expertise to help the city implement its new Green Building Code and inspire other cities in the Philippines.
Manila, Philippines — Arthaland, the country’s foremost green developer, underscored its leadership in sustainable real estate by hosting a capacity-building program and site tour for officials of the Quezon City Government, in partnership with the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40). The program supported the rollout of the newly passed Quezon City Green Building Code of 2025, a milestone policy that will guide future developments in the city toward sustainability and net zero.
Raising the bar for green buildings
With buildings contributing significantly to urban energy use and emissions, the Green Building Code of 2025 sets higher standards for efficiency, health, and environmental performance. For Quezon City, his marks a vital step in making its built environment more resilient while aligning growth with sustainability principles.
To translate this policy into practice, city officials joined a day-long program at Arthaland. The morning featured discussions on certification tools and strategies, while the afternoon showcased case studies and a guided tour of the Arthaland Century Pacific Tower (ACPT).
Arthaland: a living model of sustainability
The highlight of the day was the visit to ACPT, Arthaland’s flagship development and the world’s first EDGE Zero Carbon-certified building. Officials saw firsthand how energy-efficient systems, wellness-driven design, and comprehensive waste management come together in operations.
The tour deepened their understanding of how Arthaland integrates sustainability from design through long-term management, showing that beyond technology, a holistic approach can inspire and capacitate local governments.
“We were truly inspired and impressed at the Arthaland Century Pacific Tower,” said Engr. Kennedy P. Diokno, Assistant Building Official at Quezon City’s Department of Building Official. “Seeing advanced green building features in action broadened our perspective on what is possible and gave us greater confidence in implementing our own Green Building Code. This experience showed us how policies can translate into real solutions that improve both our city’s resilience and the lives of our constituents.”
Knowledge-sharing for impact
In the panel discussion that followed, Ar. Kristina Samantha Pobre, Head of Sustainability at Arthaland, joined Ar. Roger Sarmiento and Ar. Louwie Gan, both seasoned green building professionals, with moderation by C40 City Adviser Kessica Bersamin, and with International Finance Corporation (IFC) lending support in organising the session.
The exchange centred on practical tools to strengthen the enforcement of the Code. Arthaland’s pioneering projects and multi-certified portfolio were highlighted as a benchmark for how sustainable practices can be effectively applied and replicated by local governments. With C40 facilitating the dialogue, the session demonstrated how collaboration with industry leaders like Arthaland ensures that climate policies move beyond mere ambition and deliver real results. This role as a model for policy-to-practice transformation reflects Arthaland’s broader mission of guiding other Philippine cities on their journey to net zero, with C40 providing a platform to share and scale these lessons.
“This sharing session is beneficial in enhancing Quezon City’s understanding and appreciation of how other sustainable building rating systems could complement the effective implementation of their new Code,” said Bersamin.
From green buildings to net zero
While the immediate focus was on green building, the discussions underscored how these practices contribute to Quezon City’s long-term climate targets: reducing emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050. Every system, standard, and innovation in buildings like ACPT helps bridge the gap between today’s practices and that vision.
A ripple effect for the Philippines
For Quezon City, the program provided practical insights to roll out its new Code. For Arthaland, it reaffirmed its role as a benchmark for sustainable development, demonstrating how expertise and best-in-class projects can help other cities translate policies into practice.
More importantly, the collaboration showed that when green building leaders, professionals, and local governments work together, the impact extends beyond a single city. Lessons from this initiative can serve as a model for other Philippine cities seeking to develop stronger climate and development strategies. The program was made possible with the support of partners, including C40 and IFC, who helped facilitate the dialogue.
“As Quezon City takes bold steps forward, we hope that this experience will inspire other local governments to see that green building is not just possible—it is practical, scalable, and essential to building resilient, net zero communities,” said Ar. Pobre, Head of Sustainability at Arthaland.
About Arthaland
Arthaland is the foremost green developer in the Philippines, with a 100 per cent sustainable residential and commercial portfolio certified by local and global organisations. Its multi-certified developments, including offices, residential, and mixed-use projects, set benchmarks for environmental performance. Guided by its vision of building sustainable legacies, Arthaland continues to pioneer green buildings that pave the way for thriving, net-zero communities.
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