MANILA, Philippines?Imagine a modern city where buildings are built without having to kill a single tree. Or where skyscrapers incorporate best environmental practice, help reduce costs, and improve working and living conditions. This vision is no longer a just dream with today's technologies, say building experts.

With the threat of climate change upon the world today, British building and design companies shared the latest and most innovative environmental technologies with their Philippine counterparts at the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC) held recently in Makati City.

John Chick, Director of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), which co-sponsored the event, said the presentations were aimed at informing Philippine construction industry leaders about cutting-edge environmental technology, especially since the PhilGBC is currently working on a set of standards for the Philippines called Building Ecologically Responsive Design for Excellence (BERDE).

Jason Pomeroy, award-winning architect and Director of Broadway Malyan Singapore discussed the UK's BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), the leading and most widely used green building rating system that sets the yardstick for energy efficient, sustainable design and minimizes the environmental impact of building construction.

Atkins Design and Product Manager Karl Hurwood and Deputy Head of Building Sservices Elvin Palma demonstrated how changes in design can reduce a structure's carbon emissions, while Rey Guarin, Carbon Development Mechanism expert of British company TFS Green, explained the business opportunities in carbon trading.

Mariano Salazar, former Undersecretary of the Department of Energy, agreed that ?the UK organizations have a wealth of information and systems that they can share with the Philippine professionals. There are mutual financial, economic, and environmental benefits in the sharing of information and assistance. A more active carbon trading between the two countries can come about."

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said he was pleased that the UK is encouraging sustainable energy consumption and green building in the Philippines as well as increasing the public's awareness of the importance of reducing carbon emissions that affect global warming.

Over 220 industry players from construction, consultancy, and real estate participated in the seminar, with all of the country's top construction companies represented, including Megaworld, The Net Group, Ayala Land, and SM Development.