Vietnam, which is among the countries most vulnerable to climatechange, seems set to embrace green buildings, according to analysts.
Buildingsaccount for more than 30 percent of total energy use in fast-growingeconomies like Vietnam, and so improving energy efficiency in newbuildings is critical, they point out.
The International FinanceCorporation has launched a green-building certification programme inVietnam to encourage the construction of more resource – efficientbuildings.
Vietnam is the first market in Asia to introduce EDGE(Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), which enablesbuildings to reduce energy and water consumption by 20 percent and lowergreenhouse gas emissions.
SGS Vietnam, which is partnering withthe IFC to offer EDGE certification, said over the next six years 20percent of new construction projects, equivalent to 70,000 housingunits, would be awarded EDGE certificates.
This level ofpenetration will help reduce emissions by 19,000 metric tonnes a yearand energy use by 43,500 megawatt-hours, saving 8 million USD by 2021.
Thecompany said the country's greenhouse gas emissions from buildings wereexpected to top 2.8 million tonnes in 2030, up from 1.1 million tonnesin 2010.
Three years ago 18 percent of Vietnam's electricity was generated from coal, and by 2020 this will rise to 48 percent.
Theamount of clean water is reducing in Vietnam, falling to an expected2.83 million litres in 2025 from four million litres in 2000.
"Weencourage investors, developers, and practitioners to build moreenvironmentally friendly buildings that reduce energy consumption andmitigate climate change," Le Hoa Binh, Deputy Director of HCM City'sDepartment of Construction, said.
"EDGE is an innovative, voluntary building-certification system that will help us improve the environment for our people."
StevenDu, Managing Director at SGS Vietnam, said, "We are seeing stronginterest from investors and developers in fulfilling the increasingdemand for eco-friendly and resource-efficient buildings in Vietnam."
The company said more than 50 percent of respondents in a survey it did are likely to seek green building certification.
Vietnam,which has five buildings with EDGE certification, is a focus of IFC'sEDGE programme along with a few other priority countries like CostaRica, India, Indonesia, and South Africa.-VNA
Buildingsaccount for more than 30 percent of total energy use in fast-growingeconomies like Vietnam, and so improving energy efficiency in newbuildings is critical, they point out.
The International FinanceCorporation has launched a green-building certification programme inVietnam to encourage the construction of more resource – efficientbuildings.
Vietnam is the first market in Asia to introduce EDGE(Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), which enablesbuildings to reduce energy and water consumption by 20 percent and lowergreenhouse gas emissions.
SGS Vietnam, which is partnering withthe IFC to offer EDGE certification, said over the next six years 20percent of new construction projects, equivalent to 70,000 housingunits, would be awarded EDGE certificates.
This level ofpenetration will help reduce emissions by 19,000 metric tonnes a yearand energy use by 43,500 megawatt-hours, saving 8 million USD by 2021.
Thecompany said the country's greenhouse gas emissions from buildings wereexpected to top 2.8 million tonnes in 2030, up from 1.1 million tonnesin 2010.
Three years ago 18 percent of Vietnam's electricity was generated from coal, and by 2020 this will rise to 48 percent.
Theamount of clean water is reducing in Vietnam, falling to an expected2.83 million litres in 2025 from four million litres in 2000.
"Weencourage investors, developers, and practitioners to build moreenvironmentally friendly buildings that reduce energy consumption andmitigate climate change," Le Hoa Binh, Deputy Director of HCM City'sDepartment of Construction, said.
"EDGE is an innovative, voluntary building-certification system that will help us improve the environment for our people."
StevenDu, Managing Director at SGS Vietnam, said, "We are seeing stronginterest from investors and developers in fulfilling the increasingdemand for eco-friendly and resource-efficient buildings in Vietnam."
The company said more than 50 percent of respondents in a survey it did are likely to seek green building certification.
Vietnam,which has five buildings with EDGE certification, is a focus of IFC'sEDGE programme along with a few other priority countries like CostaRica, India, Indonesia, and South Africa.-VNA
