What is BERDE?

In 2009, the BERDE Program was established by the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC)
as an appropriate response to the Philippine building industry’s need to proactively address the
negative impacts of climate change.

The program was established to develop the Philippines’ own national voluntary green building
rating system to facilitate green building projects in the country, inspire confidence in the
industry, and build trust in the industry.

The BERDE Green Building Rating System is developed under the BERDE Program. BERDE is a
tool to assess, measure, monitor, and certify the performance of green building projects above
and beyond existing national and local building and environmental laws, regulations, and
mandatory standards.

BERDE is recognized by the Philippine government, through the Department of Energy (DOE), as
the National Voluntary Green Building Rating System.

Why should I use BERDE?

As a guidance tool

BERDE specifies current best practice. If you are a building professional, various BERDE Green
Building Rating Schemes are made freely available for your use in designing, constructing and
operating your projects in a resource-efficient, economically-viable, and socially-responsible
manner.

As a credible marketing tool

Getting your projects BERDE-certified provides you with a positive marketing advantage.

Achieving a BERDE certification for your green building project lets your clients and the public
know that your project is a better building in the market. The third-party assessment ensures
that your project are assessed, rated, and certified in a credible and unbiased process.

BERDE also highlights your company’s sustainability initiatives. Achieving BERDE Certification
provides positive brand recognition for both your project and your company.

The PHILGBC provides additional marketing support by publishing your BERDE-certified project
online, and providing opportunities for developing project case studies, hosting site tours and
certificate presentation, and speaking opportunities in PHILGBC events.

As a transparency tool

BERDE enables you to exhibit the performance of your project to other parties in a credible
manner. Your certified BERDE project allows you to showcase your leadership in sustainability
through unbiased, balanced and impartial assessment and certification of your building
performance. Certification under BERDE builds trust and confidence among your project
stakeholders.
All property industry stakeholders are encouraged to use BERDE. However, only projects that
have undergone the formal assessment, rating, and certification process may claim that they are
BERDE Certified green building projects.

As a compliance and policy support tool

BERDE supports the sustainable development plans and programs of government. Increasing
priority for green building and sustainable development by government requires you to be
knowledgeable with current laws and regulations at the national and local levels.

At the national level, as the recognized as the National Voluntary Green Building Rating System
by the Philippine government, several national agencies have been using BERDE as a guide in
developing policies and programs for green building and sustainability for the building sector. At
the local level, several local governments within the Philippines have incorporated BERDE as part
of their policy to ensure the environmental performance of projects within their jurisdictions.

BERDE recognizes performance beyond existing environmental and building laws, regulations
and standards. As a compliance tool, it supports you in complying with building and
environmental laws and regulations.

For local government units interested in incorporating BERDE in your policies, you should contact
the PHILGBC Legislative Committee through e-mail at legislative@philgbc.org.

Likewise, you may contribute to the advocacy effort for green building and promoting sustainable
policies and programs in government. Contact the PHILGBC National Secretariat through
secretariat@philgbc.org for more information.

Development

Who developed BERDE?

BERDE was developed by the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC). The DOE provided
development and promotional support for the development of BERDE.

BERDE was developed in line with the Quality Assurance for Green Building Rating Tools
(WorldGBC, 2013), the International Framework for Socio-Economic Factors for Green Building
Rating Tools in Developing Countries (WorldGBC & GBCSA, 2013), and other best practices from
international standards for standards development.

Tools and documents under the BERDE are drafted by the BERDE Committee, with support from
the BERDE Program Secretariat, input from the PHILGBC General Membership, and final approval
by the PHILGBC Board of Trustees. Interested external parties were provided opportunities to
comment and provide their insight on the drafting of the BERDE GBRS as part of the
development process.
The BERDE GBRS is administered by the PHILGBC under the BERDE Program.

How is BERDE developed?

Development process

The development of BERDE is guided by internationally-recognized methodologies for developing

standards and by the Quality Assurance for Green Building Rating Tools (WorldGBC, 2013).

Under the Quality Assurance for Green Building Rating Tools (WorldGBC, 2013), national green
building councils are guided by the WorldGBC to test rating tools through pilot projects to
establish and evaluate whether credits, processes, and procedures are appropriate and effective
in delivering rating activities for green buildings.

BERDE Development Process

Versioning

BERDE is implementing a modified semantic versioning for the development of tools. This allows
the swift response and

Format for the versioning is v2.0.0.

Major revision. The first digit represents major revisions, which assigned after completing the
formal public consensus building process for the document

Approving authority for major revisions is the PHILGBC Board of Trustees, with recommending
approval from the BERDE Committee.

Minor revision. The second digit represents minor revisions, which are rule-related actions and
revisions from the committee level. Some policy-related issues or requirements may be raised by
members of the public, and may need immediate action.

Approval of the revision is done through the BERDE Commmittee.

Non-substantial revision. The last digit represents non-substantial revisions. The BERDE Program
Director is authorized to correct non-substantial errors in the documents, and address
operational or non-rule related issues in the document.

Actions and resolutions done under this revision are reported to the BERDE Committee for further
review before incorporating into a minor or major revision.

Approving authority for non-substantial revisions is the BERDE Program Director.

How can I contribute to BERDE?

Comment on BERDE

We welcome your comments and insight to improve BERDE. Provide your comments via e-mail
by following the commenting procedure:

Write in the Subject line COMMENT: BERDE GBRS – New Construction – v2.0.0 – User Guide;

Provide your full name, position or designation, and the organization you are representing;

Clearly state your issue a specific section or credit:

State the specific section or credit you would like to improve;

Provide a clear statement summarizing your issue; and

Provide a brief discussion on the issue;

Clearly state your recommendation to improve the section or credit;

Provide the draft text for the revision of the section or credit;

Use plain language principles; and

Provide a brief discussion on the recommendation;

Send your issue and recommendation to berde@philgbc.org.

Your comments will be received and logged by the BERDE Program Secretariat for the review and
improvement of BERDE.

Host meetings
You can become a sponsor of the development of BERDE by providing support for meetings,
workshops, and conferences. You can support the development activities of BERDE by sponsoring
a BERDE Committee regular meeting, or the workshops or conference during the development
cycle of BERDE.

Contact the BERDE Program Secretariat through berde@philgbc.org if you are interested in
becoming a sponsor.

Share datasets and case studies

You can support the research and development of BERDE by sharing datasets and case studies
on your green building projects. One of the challenges in the development of BERDE is in
identifying baselines and performance targets, and ensuring the tool is in line with current best
practices in the industry.

We understand that there may be limitations when you share your proprietary information to the
PHILGBC. This is why we commit to the proper handling, use, and storage of confidential
information you share with the PHILGBC.

For more information on how you can be part of the R&D and how we manage confidential
information, contact the BERDE Program Secretariat through berde@philgbc.org if you are
submitting datasets and case studies for BERDE.

Become a member of the BERDE Committee

You can apply to become a member of the BERDE Committee. The BERDE Committee is the
standing committee of the PHILGBC that focuses on the BERDE Program. Become a member by
submitting a Letter of Expression of Interest through e-mail:

Write in the Subject line EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: BERDE Committee Membership;

Attach your signed Letter of Expression of Interest in portable document format (PDF);

Include your profile or curriculum vitae for your work experience and expertise;

State your commitment in dedicating time and attending all BERDE Committee meetings;
Send your letter to berde@philgbc.org.

Your application will be reviewed for the approval of the Board of Trustees. The applicants are
vetted to ensure that the committee is well-represented and balanced among the different
sectors of the building industry.

Core Framework

The Core Framework of BERDE defines the different credits that are essential in developing a
green building project. The Core Framework includes:

Energy Efficiency and Conservation,

Water Efficiency and Conservation,

Waste Management,

Management,

Use of Land and Ecology,

Green Materials,

Transportation,

Indoor Environment Quality, and

Emissions.

BERDE GBRS – New Construction

BERDE GBRS – New Construction is the green building rating scheme developed for the design
and construction of new building projects.

View the BERDE GBRS – New Construction – v2.0.0 User Guide here.

The current version of BERDE-NC is BERDE GBRS – New Construction – v2.0.0 approved by the
Board of Trustees, and officially released last 21 November 2017.

This version of BERDE-NC is applicable to:

Commercial buildings,

Vertical residential buildings,

Clustered residential buildings, and

Educational buildings.

BERDE GBRS – Operations

BERDE GBRS – Operation is the green building rating scheme developed for the operations of
users and systems of existing building projects.

View the BERDE GBRS – Operations – v2.0.0 User Guide here.

The current version of BERDE-OP is BERDE GBRS – Operations – v2.0.0 approved by the Board of
Trustees, and officially released last 21 November 2017.

BERDE GBRS - Renovations

BERDE GBRS – Renovation is the green building rating scheme developed for existing building
projects that has undergone renovations to improve the building’s design and operations.

BERDE GBRS – Renovation - v2.0.0 is currently under development.

Certification

What is BERDE Certification?

BERDE Certification is the formal assessment, rating, and certification process for projects of the
BERDE Program. It is conducted in a third-party assessment process to ensure a credible,
independent, impartial, and objective assessment, rating, and certification of projects under
BERDE.

Only projects that complete the formal process, complies with all requirements, and receives at
least the minimum rating for certification may claim as a BERDE Certified green building project.

Who will certify my project?

The PHILGBC will certify the project based on the outcomes from the assessments during the
BERDE Certification process.

The PHILGBC or its authorized assessment body will facilitate and conduct the assessment,
rating, and certification process. The PHILGBC builds trust and confidence in the system by
managing and addressing conflicts of interests between the project, the project team, and the
assessment team assigned for the project.

How can I get BERDE Certified?

The project must complete the BERDE Certification process, comply with all minimum system
requirements, and achieve the minimum rating for certification.

What is the BERDE Certification process?

Projects must complete all three stages to receive a complete BERDE Certification. The process
includes:

Registration

Stage 1

Stage 2

When certain conditions exist, you may file for appeal to achieve your target rating for the
BERDE Certification of your project.

Certification Process

Registration

The project owner must review the eligibility of the project for the applicable BERDE GBRS, and
compliance with the minimum system requirements.

The Registration process is completed once the project owner accepted and signed the proposal,
and paid the registration fee and downpayment for your project.

Download the Form – BERDE Registration here.

Download the Reference – BERDE Certification Fee Rate here.

The PHILGBC will confirm the BERDE GBRS applicable to your project upon submission of your
registration application.

How do I register for BERDE?

The project owner must register the project by following these procedures:

Download the Form – BERDE Registration;

Accomplish the Form – BERDE Registration and prepare documents to show compliance with the
minimum system requirements; and

Submit the accomplished form and requirements through e-mail:

Write in the Subject line BERDE Registration, [Project Name];

Send accomplished form and supporting documents to berde@philgbc.org.

The authorized assessment body will prepare and submit a BERDE Certification Proposal within
seven (7) working days from the receipt of your accomplished Form – BERDE Registration, and
the complete requirements;

Agree with and sign the proposal; and

Pay the registration fee and initial payment.

The authorized assessment body will confirm completion of requirements. Once completed, the
authorized assessment body will issue a Certificate – BERDE Registration to mark the completion
of the registration process.

Stage 1

Stage 1 focuses on the design or planning of your project. The assessment team will review and
assess the documentation submitted by the project, whether it satisfies the intent, requirements,
and compliance requirements of the project team’s target credits.

You must notify the completion of your submission to confirm the start of the assessment
process.

The assessment team is committed to complete the each round of assessment within thirty (30)
working days. Once the assessment is complete, the assessment team will issue an Report –
Stage 1 Assessment that will reflect the findings from the assessment, which may include the
recommendation for the rating and certification of the project for Stage 1.

Stage 2

Stage 2 focuses on the construction or implementation of your project. The assessment team will
review and assess the documentation submitted by the project and conduct an on-site
assessment, whether the project satisfies the intent, requirements, and compliance requirements
of the project team’s target credits.

You must notify the completion of your submission to confirm the start of the assessment process
and the date of the on-site assessment.

The assessment team is committed to complete the each round of assessment, including the on-
site assessment, within thirty (30) working days. Once the assessment is complete, the
assessment team will issue an Report – Stage 2 Assessment that will reflect the findings from the
assessment, which may include the recommendation for the rating and certification of the
project for Stage 2.

BERDE Rating

BERDE certified green building projects may be awarded with a 1-Star to a 5-Star BERDE rating
based on the outcomes of the assessment process.

Rating Score

★☆☆☆☆ 1 Star 51 to 60 Minimum practice

★★☆☆☆ 2 Stars 61 to 70 Good practice

★★★☆☆ 3 Stars 71 to 80 Exemplar practice

★★★★☆ 4 Stars 81 to 90 World class

★★★★★ 5 Stars 91 and above World leader

Education

Training Courses

BERDE Foundation Course

The BERDE Foundation Course is a one-day awareness course on the basics of sustainability,
green building, and an introduction to the BERDE Green Building Rating System.
BERDE Professionals Basic Training Course

The BERDE Professionals Basic Training Course is a comprehensive four-day training on green
building and BERDE. In addition to the basics on sustainability, you will also learn about:

Laws, regulations, and standards,

BERDE Core Framework, and

BERDE Certification process.

At the end of the training, you will be able to provide sound advise to clients and partners on the
implementation of their green building projects.

The BERDE Professionals Basic Training Course is a requirement to become a Certified BERDE
Professional (CBP).

BERDE Assessors Course

The BERDE Assessors Course is an intensive training on the assessment for the BERDE Green
Building Rating System. CBPs and green building professionals may participate in the training to
become part of the pool of assessors for BERDE.

At the end of the training, you will be able to effectively assess submissions from project teams
and prepare clear and comprehensive reports based on findings from projects.

The BERDE Assessors Course is a requirement to become a Certified BERDE Assessor (CBA).

Training Calendar

We will be posting schedules for upcoming trainings here. You may also want to follow us in our
social media accounts for updates on BERDE Education, @PHILGBC and @GoBERDE.