The push towards a greener society has never been stronger.
From solar panels powering electricity in our homes to hybrid electric vehicles transporting us to the office, there is now a greener choice for almost everything under the sky. Though not all are viable options yet, the world is nonetheless turning a shade of green, and our Singapore government is not one to lag behind in its pursuit of cleaner and energy-efficient products and technologies.
By hosting the World Cities Summit and International Water Week for example, Singapore sets the stage for world discussions on sustainable and environmental issues. Our national investment in the R&D of cleantech and renewable energy such as solar energy puts us in good stead to stay on top of the sustainable technology wave as well as to compete with the big boys.
Through policies and initiatives, the government is pushing ahead for sustainable development on a national level. Some of these include setting sustainable goals to increase the rate of recycling from 56% in 2008 levels to 70% by 2030, and to improve energy efficiency by 35% from 2005 levels by 2030.1
Among other initiatives, The Building Construction Authority (BCA), in the move to green our buildings, has also in 2008 mandated that new and existing buildings with gross floor area above 2,000 square feet that are undergoing major retrofitting are required to meet the green mark certified standard.
To be energy-efficient isn't just about caring for the environment. By conserving energy, industries enjoy enhanced productivity and profitability as well as increased competitiveness – as a result of reduction in operating costs. Other benefits also come into focus. In the "Global Sustainability Perspective" published by Jones Lang LaSalle, it has shown that green-office buildings and their accompanying features like natural light and a comfortable temperature all play an immense role in boosting employees' productivity.
As green offices are certified based on meeting certain criteria such as water efficiency and indoor environmental quality, their office interiors are usually characterised by better air quality and enhanced lighting – better if it's natural, and non-harmful chemicals or materials. On top of these, some companies advocate green policies like biking to work, or home-based work arrangements with the aim to reduce carbon emissions. Research has shown that these factors have a bearing on not just the morale and productivity of staff but also their health conditions. Staff thus become motivated to perform and are happier people in the office.
Kyoob-ID's office for instance is one of the first few commercial interior design companies in Singapore to be green mark certified by the BCA. To make sure our employees have loads of natural light, our office's façade is entirely paneled in glass allowing the sunlight to flow generously in. Our low workspace dividers allow ample views of the natural light as well as pots of greenery we place within our office confines. At every employee's workstation is an energy-saving desktop lamp to supply adequate dosage of light during working, which can be turned off when not needed. In addition, paper recycling is an everyday affair for all our staff. All employees also practice energy-saving measures such as switching off their computers, office equipment, and lights when off for lunch, meetings, or home. Biking is also encouraged here – we've parking space for our bikes right here in the office.
In Singapore, the BCA is the certifying body for green offices and buildings. LEED or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is another widely followed certification worldwide. To certify their offices, businesses can also apply for the Eco-Office label, a programme spearheaded by the Singapore Environment Council and real estate developer City Developments Limited. The programme, which recently underwent a facelift in February, requires businesses to go through an online rating system to assess how green their offices are before they are rated and subsequently certified by third party auditors.
1Source: Sustainable Singapore Blueprint by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources
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