Business Times 18 Nov 08;
Letter from Building and Construction Authority
WE would like to clarify some of the points stated by your interviewee in the report 'Developers may not green and bear it' (BT, Nov 10).
In the last paragraph of the report, Peter Rawlings was quoted as saying that the green-building rating system, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 'is a very black-and-white system which warrants either a pass or fail credit to developers, while the criteria for Green Mark are less defined, though it does not mean Green Mark is lax'.
As the authority which developed the BCA Green Mark Scheme, we wish to clarify that the Green Mark criteria are based on very clear objectives, with energy efficiency as a main priority. Indeed, it has a clear-cut point scoring system for energy efficiency and is pegged against expected quantifiable energy savings.
Moreover, higher-end Green Mark ratings are required to demonstrate energy savings through quantitative 'energy modelling', as well as meet specific design requirements for natural ventilation. There are also clearly defined objectives on water savings, indoor air quality, environmental protection, etc.
Mr Rawlings was also quoted as saying that 'in a more international context, the real dominant rating system is the LEED'.
We note that LEED has been implemented extensively in the US and adopted in some other countries. However, for any green building rating system to be effective, it has to suit the local context. As such, the BCA Green Mark scheme is specially designed to suit the environmental needs and priorities of Singapore.
For example, the BCA Green Mark places more than 50 per cent weightage on energy efficiency, as this is a critical area for Singapore, while LEED points for energy efficiency are around 25 per cent.
Following the launch of Green Mark in Singapore in 2005, there are already 135 Green Mark buildings, with another 200 on the waiting list to be Green Mark-certified. Since January 2008, Green Mark has been the legislated Green Building standard in our Building Control Act - all Singapore buildings will be measured against this standard.
We have also stepped up our efforts to promote the value and business case for green buildings to developers and building owners. To incentivise building owners and developers to go beyond legislative requirements, the Green Mark Incentive Scheme provides incentive funding up to $3 million for projects achieving the Green Mark Platinum rating.
We will continue to engage the industry to create greater awareness of the benefits of green buildings in our drive for a sustainable built environment.
Tan Tian Chong
Director
Technology Development Division
Building and Construction Authority
