Three learning centers at Universitas Gadjah Mada were awarded EDGE certification, an international green building certification system created by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. The buildings were the Integrated Forest Farming Learning Center (IFFLC), Animal Science Learning Center (ASLC), and Agrotropica Learning Center (AGLC). Both IFFLC and ASLC earned EDGE Advanced level, and AGLC received EDGE Certified level.
Director of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Hotma Prawoto Sulistiyadi said that the green building certification was not mandatory. But, certification was a necessary move to prove environmental aspects, occupant health, and energy efficiency were taken into account. He added that PIU was committed to implementing sustainable principles in the design of the buildings and applying for green certification to comply with the stipulation of the loan agreement under JICA Loan IP-576.
“PIU will apply for green building certification for all UGM buildings financed by the JICA Loan IP-576,” said Hotma, Monday (24/5).
Furthermore, in addition to EDGE, these buildings would also register for Greenship certification conducted by the Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI). As an exception, only Law Learning Center (LLW) would receive one certification system (EDGE). He confirmed that the certification of other buildings was currently in the assessment process.
Hotma concluded that knowledge transfer and the real practice of green behavior and mindset were more impactful than the certification alone.
“Without changes in behavior, I believe this certification would be meaningless. Certification is a merely trigger to the realization of UGM as a green campus. The university leaders still need to formulate further measures, for instance, strategies to use these buildings,” he explained.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photo: Firsto