Body drafting global deal to promote ‘green buildings’

SINGAPORE — Collaboration between governments, the private sector, and building owners are needed to increase the number of “green buildings” in the region, speakers at an international conference here said.

The Build Green Expo 2010 opened yesterday with experts calling on national green building councils to provide a venue for stakeholders to collaborate in making sure buildings are energy-efficient.

Tony Arnel, head of the World Green Building Council (WGBC), said the green building sector has the potential to help lower carbon dioxide emissions and reduce energy consumption.

The conference and exhibition gathered industry practitioners, suppliers, and key buyers of “eco-friendly, energy efficient” building materials, services and designs, with more than 200 exhibitors from 20 countries.

Mr. Arnel said the WGBC was working on a Green Building Sectoral Agreement that would “establish a clear and compelling case and framework for tackling greenhouse gas emissions for the building sector.”

The WGBC said the sectoral agreement would provide ways for policy makers to focus on critical sectors where greenhouse gas emission trends can be forecasted and policies are implemented effectively. It will also make sure the benefits of building green structures and retrofitting old ones are clear.

Lee Chuan Seng, president of the Singapore Green Building Council, said governments should help entice more building owners to retrofit buildings for energy efficiency by offering incentives. Regulators should also effectively communicate the benefits and cost effectiveness of “going green.”

“Governments can offer some incentives [for those who build green buildings and retrofit existing buildings], set up some regulation standards and help provide effective communication about green projects,” said Mr. Lee.

Governments and green building councils should also identify and accredit companies who are competent in retrofitting buildings, he added.

Mr. Lee said building owners and businesses should not think that retrofitting a building to become more energy efficient would cost too much.

Adequate maintenance and training of maintenance personnel will ensure that existing equipment will perform efficiently, he added.

Other ways to enhance the energy efficiency of a building is to change its facade, to prevent too much heat from coming through and reduce the need for air conditioning.

The WGBC is also planning to create a “Common Carbon Metric,” which will provide the basis for comparison of “green technology” and green building ratings adopted by different countries. –EMILIA NARNI J. DAVID, Reporter, Businessworld