For purposes of setting a comprehensive and systematic foundation to vitalize green construction, the Green Building Creation Support Act has been enacted and will be implemented starting from February 2013.
A green building means a building which is highly efficient in terms of energy use and has a high rate of new and renewable energy use while minimizing emissions of greenhouse gases. Pursuant to the Green Building Creation Support Act, a basic plan and a development plan will be established by the central and local governments in order to promote the construction of green buildings. In addition, programs for green construction certification and energy efficiency rating certification will be implemented in order to vitalize the construction of green buildings. Furthermore, the total amount of energy consumption of a building will be set and regulated for the goal of reducing greenhouse gases emitted from buildings.
In particular, under the Green Building Creation Support Act, an energy saving plan must be submitted when constructing a building having over a certain size. In case a building is sold or leased, the relevant contract must include an evaluation report on the energy efficiency rating of the building. Any violation of such requirement may be subject to an administrative fine. The enactment of the Green Building Creation Support Act has set the foundation for vitalizing green construction and is expected to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases emitted from buildings, which account for a quarter of all greenhouse gases emitted in Korea.
