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ADB Headquarters Goes for Gold Mandaluyong, Philippines
47%
REdUCTION IN CO₂ EMIssIONs FROM 2013 TO 2016
Inhabitants 1.78 million
GdP per capita $7,100
Geographic area 39 km²
ThE ChAllENGE
As a highly urbanized area, Mandaluyong experiences environmental problems often associated with urbanization such as air and water pollution, flooding, solid waste management issues and climate change.
CO-BENEFITs
Economic
Reduced power intensity as well as lower water and paper consumption has resulted in reduced operational expenses.
social
ADB has committed to employ best practices, safe operating procedures, and appropriate technologies to eliminate health and safety risks to its personnel at the workplace.
mandalUYonG, philippines adB headquarters Goes for Gold
AdB has implemented several retrofits to its headquarters in Manila to reduce energy and water consumption, lower GhG emissions, and win lEEd Gold certification.
Over the past 6 years, the ADB headquarters has undergone a number of changes to improve the environmental performance of the building in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. The changes have resulted in a recertification under the United States Green Building Council’s LEED Existing Building Operations and Maintenance—achieving the LEED Gold certification.
In 2014, ADB switched the energy that powers the building away from conventional sources to renewables. Now, the building’s power comes from a mix of geothermal (96%) and solar energy (4%) from PV panels on the roof.
There has also been a focus on water, with internal recycling and rainwater harvesting helping to reduce demand for potable water, as well as water efficient appliances reducing water consumption.
As a result of the building changes made, annual emissions totaled 12,349 tCO₂e in 2019, 39.84% lower than in 2013, the baseline year for GHG reporting. Since 2016, ADB has offset the remaining emissions by purchasing carbon credits from ADB-supported renewable energy projects.
Certified green. The ADB headquarters in Mandaluyong City, achieved LEED Gold certification (photo by ADB).