Celebrating Earth Hour by switching off our lights for an hour has been an annual tradition for many of us for many years already. This initiative, which was established by the World Wildlife Fund (WFF) in 2007, has become a global movement that continues to be the symbol of a broader commitment toward nature and our planet.
While Earth Hour is only celebrated for an hour every March, there are many ways that we can take action to practice sustainability in our homes the whole year round. This can be done by implementing changes and efforts towards energy efficiency, water conservation, and reduction of waste.
As the consumption of energy contributes to greenhouse emissions, taking steps to make our homes more energy efficient is one way to move towards sustainability. This can be done in gradual steps by switching to LED as these bulbs consume significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Another step you can take is making the switch to appliances that consume less energy as well as unplugging devices and appliances when not in use.
For those looking to take energy efficiency on a bigger scale, you can try shifting to renewable energy sources to power your home by installing solar panels, for example.
Aside from energy efficiency, water conservation efforts are another thing you can do to contribute to protecting the environment. One thing to try is to use low-flow showerheads and faucets which can reduce water consumption.
It is also vital to immediately fix any leaks at home as even the smallest ones can contribute to the large consumption of water.
Additionally, simply being mindful of the water we use by taking shorter showers or turning it off while brushing our teeth can help conserve water at home.
When it comes to reducing waste, a simple thing you can do is to reduce the use of single-use plastics. This can be done by opting for reusable water bottles, shopping bags, food containers, etc.
On a broader scale, businesses are also playing their part in pushing for sustainability as more seek healthy and sustainable office spaces.
“Providing green, healthy, and sustainable office space is becoming popular, with landlords now taking advantage of demand from multinational companies and large Filipino firms highlighting sustainability,” Colliers Philippines director for research Joey Roi Bondoc said earlier.
“Colliers believes that occupying healthy and sustainable office space will play a crucial role in stoking demand in the Metro Manila office sector starting 2025,” he said.
The preference of occupiers for green buildings is starting to be felt as nearly half or 45 percent of office transactions in Metro Manila in the nine months of 2024 were in green-certified buildings.
Bondoc cited Colliers data projecting that 61 percent of new office supply in Metro Manila from 2025 to 2027 would have green building certifications. This translates to around 722,000 sqm of office space.
“Most of the buildings due to be completed will offer lower density ratios, curtain wall systems with thermal insulation, touchless access in elevators, vertical gardens, UV disinfection lifts, and filtered air circulation systems to ensure a healthy and efficient workplace for traditional and outsourcing occupiers,” Bondoc said.
To further promote sustainability, Colliers pointed out that developers are taking advantage of the globally recognized green building certifications to reduce their properties’ environmental impact and to satisfy occupiers’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
“Colliers believes that the future of office buildings leans toward developing spaces which are safer, healthier, and are less harmful to the environment,“ Bondoc said.
The professional services firm said it has observed that some discerning occupiers prefer or require ESG-certified office space.
“Landlords should be proactive in capturing this demand,” Bondoc added.
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