The country's first green building institution has been established to certify and rate environmentally friendly housing and workplaces. The Green Building Council of Indonesia (GBCI), is currently making comparative studies on international best practices and plans to launch its first-ever rating system early next year. GBCI currently has 64 members comprising academics, property industry players and professionals and is applying for membership in the World Green Building Council. "GBCI will set a framework for green facilities management, which will generate various benefits for all -- companies and society," Tondy O. Lubis, one of the founders of GBCI, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. The concept of green buildings emphasizes increased efficiency in the use of electricity, water and building materials, from the design stage and construction th...