BG2010 : The CEO Forum
January 28, 2010 at Makati Shangri-La, Manila
Building Green 2010- The CEO Forum highlighted businesses who are presently conducting several activities that will support the overall greening agenda of government. Several fundamental issues that needed to be discussed and addressed to successfully promote the uptake of green building became the agenda of the dialogue during the conference.
BERDE Pilot Program
Ayala Land, Inc. and the Net Group announced their projects that will use BERDE the new assessment standard developed by the PHILGBC in cooperation with stakeholders in the property industry.
Industry invited to Comment on BERDE
Kits were distributed to PHILGBC Members who were interested to study and comment on BERDE. To ensure that BERDE reflects the opinion of the majority of stakeholders, an open system has been put in place to ensure the transparency of its development.
Panel discussion with Industry Stakeholders
Green Buildings Vital for Corporate Social Responsibility - One of the important factors for companies will be their choice of office space. Consumers rightfully want to know and prefer to purchase products from responsible companies and it also boils down to the environmental and workplace comfort of offices. Green buildings are considered green if they have the most efficient use of resource, using materials that do not cause harm to the environment and its inhabitants, and ensure that tenants in the building are comfortable, healthy and safe. This all-encompassing aspect comes to responsible consumerism as well.
Consumers want to ensure that they are doing their part as they realize that what they choose to buy has a large impact on motivating companies to become responsible. Supply indeed is tied together with demand, and the lack thereof. A myriad of groups in different fields have done great effort through education and promotion of new options to give a new found variety of choices that help further evolve environmentalism accordingly.
Technology has also played a major role in showing economic feasibility in green buildings. A company with broader perspective realizes the value of productive employees, and have seen that a conducive environment can play a major role in staff performance accordingly. Technology has also been able to show economic savings through efficient use of resources.
It therefore proves a point to open minded companies that corporate social responsibility and efficient resource usage has benefits to the company itself. Companies who practice corporate social responsibility are more sustainable and are preferred by consumers.
This initial factor for motivation is indeed encouraging in raising the bar and creating a more holistic understanding of company decisions. This will mean that buildings too will have to raise the bar in going environmental and take the necessary steps to do their part in making the planet a greener place.
SPEAKER PROFILES
HER MAJESTY'S AMBASSADOR STEPHEN LILLIE, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern England
Her Majesty’s Ambassador, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Mr Lillie is currently her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines and non-resident Ambassador to Palau, Marshall Islands and Micronesia. His previous positions include: Head of the Far Eastern Group in the Asia Pacific Directorate at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London. In 2003 to 2006 as New Delhi, Counsellor (Economic) and Director of Trade & Investment, 1999 to 2003 as Guangzhou, Her Majesty’s Consul-General, 1998 to 1999 as FCO, Deputy Head, China Hong Kong Department, 1997 to 1998 as FCO, Head of Section, Hong Kong Department, 1996 to 1997 as FCO, Head of Section, European Union Department (Internal), 1992 to 1995 as Beijing, Second, later First, Secretary (Economic & Political), 1989 to 1991 as Full-time Mandarin language training in London and Hong Kong, and 1988 to 1989 as FCO, Assistant Desk Officer, Middle East Department.
JOHNSON ONGKING, Vice President, Pacific Paints (Boysen) Philippines
He is vice president of Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc. He has led the company’s efforts to introduce new low VOC, environmentally friendly paint technologies such as Virtuoso Silk Touch, Boysen Healthy Home, and most recently Boysen KNOxOUT, the first air cleaning paint in the world. He also led the project team that attained ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 certification for Boysen Paints’ manufacturing plant in Cavite. He has a M.A. in Economics from the University of Toronto and a degree in International Economics from Georgetown University.
MATTHIAS GELBER, Director, Maleki GmbH | Member, International Network of Environmental Management
Mr. Gelber is from Germany and is now a resident of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, having moved there 5 years ago. He is the Director, Maleki GmbH and a Board Member of International Network of Environmental Management. Maleki GmbH is a manufacturing company that specializes on low carbon footprints and high performance building materials. It provides a low carbon concrete flooring system built outside of Europe. He won the award as the greenest person on the planet in 2009, which is an international award granted by Canadian organization to persons whose lifestyle is qualified as green.
