Generating environmentally sustainable projects has become a necessity for construction companies, in a market where added value is one of the main determinants for making a purchase, above all, because these represent reductions in the consumption of basic services.

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Although there is a theory that building in a responsible manner could be more environmentally costly, which would have an impact on the final prices of the properties, the Colombian Chamber of Construction (Camacol) assures that This model contemplates a business scheme based on cost efficiency, therefore it does not present significant increases.

Nevertheless, «If the largest number of passive measures are included from the design and implementation of the project, significant efficiencies are achieved that can offset some of the possible cost overruns to incur.” says Edwin Chirivi, president (e) of Camacol.

In this way, buyers for a value not much higher than usual, you can even get savings of up to 20% in water and energy services, in addition to generating a significant appreciation of the property.

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Since 2017, Camacol has expanded the Edge Certification (excellence in design for greater efficiency) to projects in this category, which already accumulates 500 building projects with this sustainability endorsement, which represent 9.8 million square meters in approximately 130,000 housing units, where 73% of them are low-income housing, they will reduce emissions by more than 90.00 tons of CO2.

To achieve such a certification, projects must comply with a minimum saving of 20% energy, 20% water and 20% embodied energy on the materials in the building.

However, buildings that achieve energy savings greater than 40%, with water and energy savings embodied in materials of at least 20%, are recognized as EDGE Advanced with higher recognition and higher accreditation.”, remarks the construction union.

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With this horizon, the housing sector plans to continue advancing in this line that becomes one of its most representative products in the coming years.

«The perspective on this issue of sustainability is to expand the capacity of the sector to generate green buildings and achieve a goal by the end of the year 2024 in which 40% of the total square meters built, of a scope – the reference area of ​​60 , 7% of the total square meters of 97 cities and municipalities that make up the set of information available for that date, have the Edge certification, ”says Camacol in its projections.

In this regard, Chirivi will shine, that this is a great revolution for the construction sector and must work to not only achieve this goal at the housing level, but in general in the constructions of the country.

The way to achieve the goal of 40% in 2024 is to continue working in the regions, adding actors in the value chain, integrating consumers and, of course, training experts and business skills so that sustainability ceases to be an option and becomes in a corporate duty to the country and the environment”, remarked the president of the union.

Some projects that stand out for having this certification are the Research and Laboratories building of the Faculty of Engineering of the Javeriana University and the LLP Latam Parque Logístico Calle 80.

PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA