INTRODUCTION
Vietnam is experiencing rapid economic growth and is considered one of the rapidly developing economies in Asia. With a population of nearly 100 million, the country faces a pressing need for sustainable development that can cater to the needs of its citizens while preserving its valuable natural resources. A viable solution to achieve this objective is through the construction of environmentally-friendly buildings. Numerous developers in Vietnam are now embracing green building standards for their projects. Nevertheless, there exists a considerable amount of confusion regarding the various certification schemes associated with green buildings. This article aims to provide an introduction to some of the certification schemes currently utilized in Vietnam.
WHAT IS GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION?
Green building certification involves a comprehensive and thorough evaluation process that assesses the design, construction, and operation of a building or construction project based on a specific set of criteria aimed at promoting environmental sustainability.
Opting for a green building certification offers several advantages. Primarily, it aids in minimizing the negative impact on the environment by incorporating sustainable design principles and implementing energy-efficient measures. These certifications also serve as a testament to a company's dedication to environmental stewardship, thereby promoting corporate social responsibility. Additionally, green building certification enables cost savings by reducing operational expenses and conserving resources. Moreover, green buildings are designed to ensure better indoor air quality, resulting in improved occupant health and productivity during working hours.
WHY IS GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION NECESSARY?
Green building certification provides an independent and reliable validation and verification process to ensure that a project's design, construction, and operation have successfully met sustainability objectives, such as minimizing environmental impact and reducing energy consumption.
Choosing green building certification is an excellent means for companies to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection. With increasing awareness and emphasis on sustainability, many organizations are actively striving to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. By pursuing green building certification, these companies can not only contribute to protecting the environment but also create sustainable buildings that align with their environmental goals.
AVAILABLE GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS IN VIETNAM MARKET
A variety of green building certification programs have been created to cater to the specific requirements of different countries. In Vietnam, two prominent and comprehensive green building certification programs are LEED, established by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), and LOTUS, developed by the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC).
LEED, the first certification, has been in existence since 1998 and is considered one of the oldest and most widely recognized green building certification programs globally. It sets stringent standards for environmental sustainability and is favored by developers in Vietnam.
LOTUS, on the other hand, is a relatively new certification program developed by the Vietnam Green Building Council in 2010. It focuses on promoting sustainable building practices and aligns with the specific needs and context of Vietnam.
Both LEED and LOTUS certifications are internationally recognized for their rigorous standards in terms of environmental sustainability and social responsibility practices.
In addition to LEED and LOTUS, Singaporean developers often implement their own green building certification program called GREEN MARK. This certification program is tailored to meet the specific needs of Singapore, with a particular emphasis on energy efficiency. Ambitious and forward-thinking local developers in Vietnam may consider piloting the GREEN MARK certification to further their sustainability goals.
SELECTING A GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION FOR YOUR PROJECT
LEED and Green Mark, which are commonly used in advanced markets, as well as LOTUS, designed specifically for Vietnam, all follow a similar structure in their assessment criteria. They encompass five main categories: sustainable site development, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality, and water savings. These criteria are tailored to meet the requirements of advanced construction markets, and each program establishes baselines and benchmarks accordingly.
LOTUS, being developed for Vietnam's developing market, incorporates local building codes while also incorporating international standards and best practices. Its aim is to set comparable baselines and benchmarks to advanced systems like LEED and Green Mark.
However, LOTUS places relatively less emphasis on engineering-based solutions and encourages nature-based architectural approaches that are often cost-effective and improve the comfort of building occupants. It also addresses specific issues commonly found in developing, tropical countries like Vietnam, such as air and water pollution, noise and traffic congestion, flooding, climate-related risks, lack of green space, and green infrastructure. LOTUS strives to be a comprehensive system, covering various aspects of sustainability, including both "soft" and "hard" credits, and effectively addressing the unique requirements of projects in the Vietnamese context. It recognizes the importance of good planning, social inclusion, and community aspects alongside energy efficiency and engineering considerations.
Apart from these programs, there is also the EDGE certification program administered by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. Originally designed as a resource-efficiency labeling system for developing countries, EDGE has a more limited scope and utilizes different baselines and calculation methods compared to the aforementioned certification programs. However, it is increasingly marketed as a green building certification program and is gaining popularity among local investors, particularly in the apartment development sector.
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