07 Dec 2011

An existing building at the BCA Academy was retrofitted into Singapore's first Zero Energy Building. (Photo credit: Building Construction Authority)

Singapore's ambitious masterplan to turn 80 percent of its buildings green by 2030, by meeting the Green Mark building certification standards, has raked in a nice plum as one of six cities earning plaudits for their initiatives to green buildings at home. Over 80 Green Building Councils had the chance to nominate local government policies from their countries.

The UN climate change summit in Durban, South Africa, earlier this week bestowed Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA) with the "Regional Leadership Award", in recognition of its green building masterplan in the inaugural Government Leadership Awards for Excellence.

World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) Chief Executive Jane Henley told media the six cities given accolades have shown "exceptional local policies that are accelerating green building around the world".

"These cities have demonstrated that focusing on energy efficiency in the built environment delivers a range of benefits, including operational savings, energy security, health and well-being to building occupants, and provides a much-needed boost to the economy," she added.

More importantly, the message the UN Summit is trying to put across is that eco-friendly buildings are a key part of world efforts to reduce carbon emissions. With naysayers predicting that we are past the point of avoiding global warming, the call has been going out for countries, especially emerging Asian economies such as China and India, to agree to emission cuts.

BCA Chief Executive Dr John Keung told the Straits Times that the recognition "is a strong endorsement of our policies and efforts in steering the industry towards sustainable development in Singapore". He also gave due credit to the private sector for its strong support.

The other five winners comprised San Francisco for "Best Green Building Policy Award" for its Green Building Ordinance; New York City for the "Industry Transformation Award" due to its Greener, Greater Buildings Plan; Mexico City for the "Climate Action Leadership Award" for its Climate Action Plan and as well as its global leadership on the Mexico City Pact. Also, the UK's Birmingham with the "Urban Retrofit Award" in recognition of its Energy Savers Programme; and Tokyo netting the "Most Groundbreaking Policy Award" for its Cap-and-Trade Program, which is the world's first such to cover buildings.

More information can be found here.