The Quezon City government has launched its ambitious Quezon City Green Building Code of 2025, marking a significant step in the city’s commitment to sustainable building practices and renewable energy solutions.
The event has brought together industry experts, sustainability advocates, and city stakeholders.
Mayor Joy Belmonte led the event’s opening program, followed by UK Deputy Head of Mission, Mike Welch and C40’s Regional Director for East Southeast Asia and Oceania, Murali Ram. The new code aims to reinforce the 2009 Green Building Ordinance, aligning with the targets set by the Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2050 and the Philippine Green Building Code.
This initiative is supported by the C40 Cities’ UCAP (Urban Climate Action Programme) Climate Action Implementation (CAI) Programme, with technical assistance from C40 Cities and funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Quezon City, with a population of 3.2 million and covering 160 km², faces a pressing challenge with energy use in buildings, which accounts for 60% of its total GHG emissions of 7,087,064 tCO2e. The new Green Building Code is a crucial component of the city’s strategy to modernize policy, expand solar deployment, and promote sustainable construction across all sectors.
The launch event’s key objectives are the following:
- Awareness and Education: To raise awareness about the features and provisions of the new QC Green Building Code of 2025.
- Foster Collaboration: To facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration among local and national government officials, businesses, community leaders, and experts.
- Knowledge Exchange: To provide a platform for sharing best practices, practical solutions, and addressing common challenges in climate action and sustainable building development.
The new code is projected to reduce the city’s electricity consumption by 12% (714 to 900 GWh per year) by 2030, potentially reducing electricity bills for condominium residents by more than a third to half. Furthermore, the city could avoid 0.56 to 0.67 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually by 2030, equivalent to taking 120,000 cars off the road.
The launch included a presentation of a study conducted by C40 on “Determining Solar Energy and Potential Market Demand in Quezon City,” followed by a panel discussion of green building experts and advocates who shared how the QC GBC was developed through a multi-stakeholder approach and how other local government units can adopt similar policies.
Additional sessions offered technical Q&As on the Green Building Code and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for contractors, developers, and professional organizations, as well as community awareness sessions for Quezon City barangays and Homeowner Associations.
Joy Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City said: The increasing temperatures has affected our constituent’s health and livelihood. As the city government, it is our duty to uphold the rights of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. Through the QC Green Building Code of 2025, we hope to make establishments more liveable, comfortable, and more resilient. It would help us mitigate the harmful effects of global climate change while ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents.
Mike Welch, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Manila said: “Congratulations to Quezon City on the Green Building Code of 2025. The UK was proud to support this work through the Urban Climate Action Programme. Together, in partnership we can build cities that are not only smart and sustainable—but also just and resilient. May your work serve as a benchmark and be a source of inspiration for other cities across the region and the world.”
Murali Ram, C40’s Regional Director for East, Southeast Asia and Oceania, said: “Our collaboration has supported Quezon City since 2022 in implementing ambitious, science-based climate action, leading to the launch of its new Green Building Code. The dedication of city officials and inspiring leadership by the Mayor in accelerating climate action will not only help decrease greenhouse gas emissions, but also substantially improve the city’s resilience. This effort will also contribute to Quezon City’s continued growth, by creating up to 67 new green jobs for every million dollars invested in efficient buildings, and significantly improving the well-being of residents and mainstreaming climate action into city governance for the long term.”
###
