Arthaland’s Jaime C. González Delivers Opening Remarks at the 2nd Philippine Climate Forum

Arthaland Vice Chairman and President Jaime C. González delivered the opening remarks at the 2^nd Philippine Climate Forum with the theme “Buildings Breakthrough Day: Raising Ambitions Toward Near-Zero Emissions and Resilient Buildings by 2030” held recently at the Ayala Museum. This event, spearheaded by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), occurred under the UN World Environment Day and the Global ABC Buildings Breakthrough Initiative, further solidifying the Philippines' commitment to a sustainable future alongside international partners. In his welcome address, Mr. González shared his optimism that through everyone’s collective action to champion the net zero agenda, we can forge a sustainable future for all. Adding that there is an urgent need for immediate and concrete action as the negative effects of climate change, just like the recent heat wave that struck the country, causing significant disruption and severely impacting people’s health and well-being, will only worsen if left unchecked.

To show that the built industry can do its part, Mr. González shared Arthaland’s journey towards net zero.

“My company, Arthaland, has an unwavering commitment to sustainable development, and we are the pioneering developer whose projects are all certified by globally recognized standards. We realize that building green is no longer enough to ensure a healthy community and a thriving planet. That is why we have pushed the envelope further by making the bold pledge to decarbonize our development portfolio by 2030, a promise that extends not only to our present and future projects but also to our past developments,” said Mr. González.

Its flagship office building in the Bonifacio Global City, Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, reached a groundbreaking milestone in 2019. It became the first in the world to receive the EDGE Zero Carbon certification from the IFC. This recognition underscores that a boutique developer in an emerging country can accomplish such an extraordinary feat, positioning the Philippines at the forefront of global climate action. While demonstrating that one can do so and still provide a respectable return to its shareholders. Emphasizing its responsibility not to maximize profits but to generate revenue subject to the Company’s fundamental obligation to society and the future generations.

In 2023, Arthaland proudly achieved 100% of its developments green and avoided 80% of greenhouse emissions in its properties, demonstrating our role as the foremost sustainable developer in the country. With the help of the Cebu government, IFC, and the Philippine Green Building Initiative, and the IFC, it transformed the Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary School in Cebu City, which was devastated by Typhoon Odette, into the first EDGE Advanced public school building in the Philippines, setting a new standard for green educational institutions.

Mr. González also discussed how organizations can accelerate the sustainability agenda through partnerships with academic institutions. The Arthaland Masterclass program is a prime example of a collaborative initiative with the National University. This program is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of green building professionals by bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. It offers specialized training for students, ensuring they acquire the technical expertise to support and advance sustainable development practices. By integrating cutting-edge educational frameworks with practical experience, the program aims to equip students with the skills essential for driving future green innovations.

“Our efforts are already bearing fruit: one of our students has chosen a career path as a green building professional, two more are imparting their newly acquired green building knowledge in a local architectural firm, one has graduated as our scholar, and the rest are beginning their professional journeys as green architects. This year, we have doubled the number of students, further amplifying the green building cause,” said Mr. González.

Believing in the power of collective voice, Arthaland actively drives the agenda as a founding member of the Net Zero Carbon Alliance, a coalition of multisectoral businesses in the Philippines committed to the net zero agenda that enables cross-industry organizations to decarbonize their operations. Arthaland urges businesses and organizations in the forum to join its mission to decarbonize business operations and developments, as united effort creates demand that prompts market transformation.

IFC’s Buildings Breakthrough aims to strengthen international collaboration to decarbonize the building sector and make clean technologies and sustainable solutions the most affordable, accessible, and attractive option in all regions by 2030. It will see countries joining forces to accelerate the transformation of the sector—which accounts for 21 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions—with a view to making near-zero emissions and climate-resilient buildings the new normal by 2030.

ARTHALAND is the only real estate developer in the Philippines with a residential and commercial portfolio 100% certified as sustainable by local and global organizations. It has made its mark in the Philippine real estate industry by pioneering the development and management of exceptional best-in-class properties that adhere to international and local standards. For more information about Arthaland, visit www.arthaland.com.