There are calls to improve on Vietnam’s green credentials within the construction industry.
Over recent years there has been an increased awareness of sustainability on a global scale. Last year the Paris Agreement was implemented. This cited that buildings within the European Union should adhere to regulations ensuring that they are green and have net-zero emissions. A result of a rise in interest in taking measures to protect the environment. According to data 25 percent of all carbon emissions come from the built environment. Therefore how buildings are built and run is of utmost importance.
Green buildings are defined as those with high efficiency in the use of energy and materials. Plus they have little effect on human health and the environment. Once considered an expensive outlay, today it has become more of a much needed asset. Plus on top on this, it boasts a developer’s reputation.
In mature markets such as Singapore there are building certificates such as Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority Green Mark. Used to prove the efficiency of a building they are becoming competitive marketing tools too. For residents it provides a more sustainable way of living. Plus it saves on running costs too.
According to Ho Chi Minh City’s Architecture Club, Vietnam is the 17th within Asia and 37th across the world for having the most number of green buildings. But thanks to a surge in construction over recent years there still needs to be an awareness among the industry to understand the importance of green buildings.
Tran Khanh Trung, president of the Ho Chi Minh City Green Architecture Club commented that people are often confused as to what a green building is. Often believing it is one with lot of trees and energy efficiency facilities. He also said that it is thought to go green is expensive. However this need not be the case as he constructed one green building which only incurred an additional 8 percent to reach this status. An extra cost which is easily recouped over a few years in energy saving bills.
For Vietnam there is an apparent need to ensure that the public understand the benefits of going green too. By building in sustainable materials that help protect health, the environment and save on energy bills. Once the is understood it is believed that more green buildings will be constructed that will have the knock on effect of luring in more foreign investment and increasing tourism.
