HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Green Building Council (VGBC) on Monday awarded the Green One United Nations House (GOUNH) a Platinum Lotus Certification, the highest level in the market-based green building rating system.

The certificate is in recognition of the Hà Nội-based GOUNH, a high performance green building that enhances the efficient use of resources through smart ecological design and management.

The Platinum Lotus certification follows the building’s previous accreditation by the VGBC as one of the first buildings in Việt Nam to be awarded a provisional Gold Lotus Rating.

The GOUNH project is a joint endeavour between the government of Việt Nam, donors and the UN country team.

The Lotus rating system promotes the construction of environmentally sustainable buildings  to ultimately bring about the efficient use of all forms of resources. This would help reduce all forms of environmental degradation, and be better for its occupants’ health as well as productivity.

A key milestone in the UN reform process in Việt Nam and the Delivering as One initiative, the GOUNH is a testament of the UN’s commitment to deliver green. The building has become a role model for sustainable green buildings in Việt Nam, signifying the importance and urgency of environmental sustainability.

Advocating climate change mitigation and adaptation, the GOUNH building is constructed of ecologically friendly materials such as lead-free paint and has furniture that has low harmful, volatile organic compounds. The efficiency of its heating, cooling and energy systems is maximised through photovoltaic panels harnessing solar energy, which can provide for at least 10 per cent of the building’s annual electricity consumption.

Kamal Malhotra, UN Việt Nam resident coordinator and chair of the GOUNH Management Board, thanked and acknowledged the collated efforts of the Vietnamese government, its donors, UN agencies and development partners.

He reiterated the UN’s readiness in reinforcing partnerships, and emphasised the “critical objective of providing a model building that demonstrates viability of innovative sustainable buildings in Việt Nam.”

He further said that “flexibility, dynamism and a focus on positive outcomes for people and the environment characterise the everyday operations of the UN and help to ensure that it is truly sustainable.”

Committed to support Việt Nam in its progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the GOUNH has helped advance the Goal 7 of Sustainable Development Goals, promoting the transition to “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy,” Malhotra said.  — VNS