The Quezon City government has launched its ambitious Quezon City Green Building Code of 2025, marking a major step toward sustainable construction and renewable energy adoption in Metro Manila’s largest city.

Mayor Joy Belmonte led the launch program, joined by UK Deputy Head of Mission Mike Welch and C40 Cities Regional Director for East, Southeast Asia and Oceania Murali Ram. The code reinforces the city’s 2009 Green Building Ordinance and aligns with the Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan 2021–2050 and the Philippine Green Building Code.

The initiative is supported by the C40 Cities’ Urban Climate Action Programme (UCAP) Climate Action Implementation (CAI) Program, with technical assistance from C40 Cities and funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Home to 3.2 million residents, Quezon City currently sees 60 percent of its 7,087,064 tCO2e emissions come from energy use in buildings. The new Green Building Code seeks to reduce this by modernizing development policies, expanding solar adoption, and promoting energy-efficient construction.

The new code is projected to cut the city’s electricity consumption by 12 percent (714 to 900 GWh annually) by 2030. It may also reduce electricity bills for condominium dwellers by 30 to 50 percent. In addition, the city could avoid up to 0.67 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually—equivalent to removing 120,000 cars from the road.

Key goals of the launch included:
• Raising awareness about the QC Green Building Code of 2025 and its provisions
• Strengthening collaboration among local and national stakeholders
• Sharing best practices in climate-responsive construction and building management

A study titled "Determining Solar Energy and Potential Market Demand in Quezon City" was presented by C40, followed by panel discussions with green-building experts. Technical Q&A sessions were also held for developers, contractors, and professional groups, along with community briefings for barangays and homeowners’ associations.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said: "The increasing temperatures have affected our constituents’ health and livelihood. As the city government, it is our duty to uphold the rights of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. Through the QC Green Building Code of 2025, we hope to make establishments more liveable, comfortable, and more resilient.”

British Embassy Manila’s Mike Welch added: “Together, in partnership, we can build cities that are not only smart and sustainable—but also just and resilient.”

C40’s Murali Ram highlighted the initiative as a model of science-based climate leadership that can generate green jobs and improve quality of life in the long term.