Certified as a Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Platinum building, the Singapore Sustainability Academy located at the Sky Park (Level 6) of City Square Mall is a zero-energy facility recognised for its various energy-efficient design and features.
CDL Pledges
Net Zero
Operations
By 2030
As one of Singapore’s pioneering green developers, CDL has set yet another sustainability milestone – becoming the first real estate developer in Singapore and the first real estate conglomerate in Southeast Asia to sign the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC).
By joining the Commitment, CDL is dedicated to achieving net zero operational carbon by 2030 for its new and existing wholly-owned assets and developments under its direct operational and management control.
A net zero carbon building is defined as a highly energy-efficient building that is powered from on-site and/or off-site renewable energy and offsets. Pledging to the WorldGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment will entail CDL disclosing, reducing and verifying operating Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions1 of its managed buildings, including its corporate office in Singapore.
Republic Plaza, CDL’s flagship building, is among the tallest skyscrapers in Singapore and a success story of BCA’s Green Mark scheme’s journey. It was the first development to win a Green Mark Award under the Existing Buildings category, and the 100th development to garner the Green Mark Platinum Award. The building underwent an asset enhancement in 2019, which included modernising its lifts and introducing the latest destination control system, which are estimated to reduce energy consumption by 18% and increase lift operation efficiency.
CDL Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Sherman Kwek said, “CDL recognises that decarbonisation is a critical step towards global climate action and this is especially relevant to the building and construction sector which accounts for a significant amount of carbon emissions. Our pledge to the WorldGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment marks a key milestone in our sustainability journey as we take affirmative action to support the global agenda towards net zero by 2050. Taking this bold step forward reinforces our climate mitigation and adaptation efforts to build a more sustainable future in Singapore and abroad.”
CDL’s net zero pledge complements the Singapore government’s strong commitment to climate action and sustainability. The latest announcement of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 includes setting ambitious and concrete targets on a sectoral basis and pushing for the adoption of the BCA’s Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE) buildings. The BCA Green Mark SLE certification marks the next wave of Singapore’s green building movement, a next step from the Green Mark certification scheme that was launched in 2005.
Palais Renaissance, one of CDL’s commercial properties, houses an assembly of exclusive boutiques and deluxe lifestyle offerings. The building is equipped with innovative smart features that help to conserve energy, such as a Chiller Plant Optimisation System that tracks performance and makes adjustments automatically to ensure optimal efficiency at all times.
To achieve its ambitious goal, CDL will strive to reduce its carbon emissions, including retrofitting its managed buildings to further enhance energy efficiency and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. The company has also mapped out pathways to achieve net zero operational carbon by 2030 through:
- Leveraging smart technologies and emerging innovations to maximise buildings’ energy performance.
- Achieving 100% renewable energy.
- Developing a low-carbon investment roadmap.
- Phasing out diesel across all operations.
- Strengthening supply chain engagement to lower the embodied carbon of its developments.
- Educating and influencing building users to drive change in mindset and action.
Boulevard 88, CDL’s ultra-high-end development, attained the BCA Green Mark GoldPlus Award in 2019. Offering lush green landscaped areas, the residential development includes green features such as effective lighting design by use of LED and motion sensors, effective sun-shading for windows, and provision of energy-efficient air-conditioning system for all units.
To complement CDL’s target to achieve net zero for its buildings by 2030, CDL further developed a Smart, Sustainable and Super Low Energy (3S) Green Building Framework, known as the 3S Green Building Framework. An expansion of CDL’s green procurement guidelines, this holistic framework is aligned with BCA’s SLE buildings requirements, as well as international standards for advancing health and wellbeing in buildings. Plans are currently underway to roll out BCA SLE-certified buildings in Singapore by 2023.
1 Scope 1 includes direct emissions from fuel used in power generators, petrol for company vehicles, loss of refrigerant in air-conditioning systems, and loss of insulating and arc quenching media in switchgear systems. Scope 2 includes indirect emissions from purchased electricity consumed by the operational activities of CDL at both its corporate office and managed buildings.
