On February 5, CanCham Korea and WSP Korea, convened an industry-leading roundtable on Sustainable Building Practices at WSP’s Seoul office, bringing together over 60 professionals to examine how sustainability standards, regulations, and market trends are shaping Korea’s built environment. The full-house event brought together developers, building owners, operators, and investors to explore practical pathways forward in sustainable development.
Exploring Korea’s Sustainable Building Landscape
The discussion provided critical insights into Korea’s sustainable building market and its alignment with global practices. Participants examined five key strategic questions facing the industry:
The roundtable explored Korea’s marketplace for LEED and other sustainable building certification systems, comparing them against global standards and assessing their value for building owners and operators. Participants discussed where the market is moving in terms of sustainable design and ESG metrics, helping attendees understand emerging industry trends.
A significant focus was on Korea’s regulatory environment. The Seoul Greenhouse Gas Cap/Trade System and the Energy Consumption Cap Roadmap were examined for their potential impacts on sustainable building design and operations—critical considerations for anyone operating or developing in the region.
Notably, the discussion addressed a central concern for investors and developers: whether achieving higher sustainability standards necessarily requires heavier capital expenditures. Panelists explored innovative financing and design approaches that balance sustainability targets with project economics.
Expert Panel and Moderation
The roundtable was moderated by Randy Simes, Head of Advisory & Consulting at WSP Korea and CanCham Member, who guided the discussion through key industry insights. The panel featured expert speakers including Andy To (Former Managing Director, North Asia at USGBC/GBCI), Changyoung Park (CEO of EnergyX Inc and Vice-Chairman of the World Green Building Council Korea), Ed Jennings (Director, APAC at WiredScore), and Stella Cai (Senior Manager, Market Transformation & Development, North Asia at USGBC/GBCI). Their diverse perspectives—spanning certification standards, energy efficiency, green building certification, building performance analytics, and market transformation—provided comprehensive coverage of Korea’s sustainable building ecosystem.
CanCham Korea’s Role as a Strategic Partner
This roundtable exemplifies CanCham Korea’s commitment to supporting member companies and amplifying their industry expertise. By partnering with WSP Korea—a valued member organization—CanCham not only provided event support and also drove visibility for WSP’s thought leadership in sustainable building practices.
Through event partnership, promotion, and moderation support, CanCham Korea helps member companies connect with key stakeholders, build credibility within their sectors, and contribute to shaping industry dialogue on critical topics. This collaborative approach strengthens both CanCham’s network and the competitive positioning of the member organizations it supports..
The organization extends its appreciation to the moderator, speakers, and panelists who contributed to an engaging and insightful discussion, as well as Genesis BBQ and WhiteCrow Brewing for their generous support of the event.