November-December , 2020 | @ green

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Towards this end , MalaysiaGBC is developing a nett-zero carbon tool to be launched in 2021

BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN

world . To date , Malaysia has none .

However , when it comes to the subsets of nett-zero green buildings , whether they be nett-zero energy , nett-zero water or nett-zero waste , there are plenty of facilities .

“ Over the past 10 years , there are about 600 green buildings in Malaysia , mostly are in the Klang Valley ,” Malaysia Green Building Council ( MGBC ) president , Sim Chee Liang told @ green , adding the tools break down aspects such as design , construction , site and other nett-zero subsets .

“ The combination of all the subsets makes a nett-zero carbon building , which unfortunately Malaysia has none . MGBC is developing a nett-zero carbon tool , which is targeted to be launched in 2021 .”

MGBC ’ s development of the nett-zero carbon tool is in line with the World Green Building Council ’ s ( WGBC ) commitment for nett-zero carbon emission . MGBC , which is a member of WGBC , aims to promote green practice within the built environment industry in Malaysia .

WGBC ’ s Nett-zero Carbon Buildings Commitment ( the Commitment ) challenges businesses , organisations , cities , States and regions to reach nett-zero carbon in the operation for all assets under their direct control by 2030 , and to advocate for all buildings to be nett-zero carbon in operation by 2050 .

Nett-zero cities

Many countries have pledged to become nett-zero cities by 2030 and 2050 . As for developing countries like Malaysia , this tool will aid in the long-term projection to achieve nett-zero carbon buildings .

WGBC defines a nett-zero carbon building is a building that is highly energy-efficient and fully powered from onsite and / or off-site renewable energy sources that achieve zero balance of carbon emissions .

In 2019 , the buildings and construction sector generated about 39 per cent of the global carbon emission , as reported in the 2019 Global Status Report for Building and Construction released by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction at COP25 in Madrid in December 2019 .

As the carbon emission rate is on the rise , the green building movement is at the forefront to tackle the problem .

A green building is defined by the WGBC as a building that , in its design , construction or operation , reduces or eliminates negative impacts , and can create a positive impact on our climate and natural environment .

Challenges in Malaysia

MGBC Honorary Secretary Michael Ching Chee Hoong said a country ’ s policies were important .

“ For example , in England , every building submitted for approval needs to submit its carbon emission reports . If it does not meet the requirement , it is rejected ,” shared Ching .

“ And in Singapore , it is mandatory for building with a gross floor area of at least 2,000 m2 to be a green building . In Malaysia , however , it is voluntary .

“ The other factor is demand . People in other countries like England and Singapore demand for it .”

Ching said as owners they understood they were responsible for the cost of energy , water , maintenance and so on once the building is handed over from the developer . As such , there is a demand for green buildings as the maintenance costs are lower .

Unfortunately , the awareness of the benefits of green

Menara Sarawak Energy is East Malaysia ’ s first green building .

In 2009 , in efforts to promote sustainable buildings in Malaysia , a group consultant , academia and representatives from the building industry met to initiate an organisation called the Malaysia Green Building Confederation ( MGBC ). It was registered by April 2019 .

In 2017 , it was renamed to Malaysia Green Building Council ( MGBC ) to standardise with the 70 members of the World Green Building Council ( WGBC ). It is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation . MGBC is supported by Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia ( PAM ) and the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia ( ACEM ). It is also an established council member of the World Green Building Council ( WGBC ).

MGBC is the only organisation in Malaysia endorsed and supported by WGBC and aims to lead the nation in embracing

and nett-zero carbon buildings is lacking among Malaysians and therefore , the demand is deficient .

Push for green building awareness

Sim said that MGBC , as well as many other sectors and agencies , were continuously trying to push developers and owners towards green buildings .

“ There is still a lot of work need to be done . We need to push the fundamentals such as reduced energy , reduced water and reduced waste . These are the three fundamentals of green buildings . Apart from that , we need to push on the benefits ; and health and wellbeing as well .

“ The most common perception is a green building will be more expensive to build , which is not true ,” added Sim .

Michael pointed out it was found maintenance costs could be reduced by five to 10 sen per square foot .

“ This may not seem much , but you must remember maintenance costs tend to go up every year ,” added Michael .

Sim stated MGBC was continuously promoting the benefits of green buildings to the public as well via roadshows and webinars every month .

“ It ’ s not just the public . We try to reach out the State and city authorities as well as to the younger generation .

“ We have an education departments sub-committee aimed at educating on sustainability and green buildings to the younger generations .

“ So , we talk to ministries and are also looking into drafting a syllabus with universities , to promote green building and a nett-zero lifestyle to the younger generation ,” Michael said , adding they needed to learn how to save

energy , water , resources and living with nature . — @ green

responsible green building and sustainable construction measures .

It hopes to help realise energy savings , water conservation , a healthier indoor environment , better public connectivity , recycling of valuable resources and provision of greenery in developments .

MGBC also developed GreenPagesMalaysia , which is an information resource directory of green products and processes - the first of its kind for Malaysia ’ s building industry .

As it is a membership-based organisation , MGBC president Sim Chee Liang encourages individuals and organisations who are interested and passionate about sustainability and green buildings to join MGBC .

“ We hope with more members joining hands , we can have more say and influence in the building industry for the betterment of the environment and communities ,” he said .