14 July 2025, Singapore’s Green Mark certified buildings were reported to deliver significant economic and environmental benefits, saving more than S$1.3 billion in electricity costs each year.
Speaking on July 11, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee announced that buildings certified under the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) scheme collectively save 4.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—enough to power one million four-room HDB flats. Since the certification system was introduced in 2005, a total of 2,590 buildings had been certified as of March 2025.
Green buildings deliver multifaceted benefits across environmental, economic, and technical dimensions. Environmentally, they offset 1.7 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year—comparable to replanting one million hectares of forest or removing 400,000 internal combustion vehicles from the road. Economically, ultra-low energy commercial buildings typically achieve payback within 5–6 years, and office buildings with Platinum certification command 12% higher rental rates compared to conventional buildings. Technically, much of the energy savings come from optimizing cooling systems—for instance, adjusting indoor temperature from 24°C to 27°C while using ceiling fans to enhance airflow. As cooling can account for over half of a building’s energy consumption, system efficiency is critical.
Key institutions and professionals have played a vital role in driving Singapore’s green building movement. Republic Plaza, developed by City Developments Limited, was among the first batch of certified buildings in 2005 and has maintained its credentials through periodic reassessments. A company representative received a commemorative certificate from Minister Lee in recognition of their sustained efforts. Organizations like the Singapore Green Building Council have also developed professional training frameworks, producing over 1,400 specialists in green building design and carbon accounting.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Green Mark scheme, BCA and the Singapore Green Building Council jointly presented commemorative awards to 9 supporting organizations and 11 exemplary projects. Looking ahead, Singapore aims to further expand the scale of green buildings, promoting sustainable environmental goals alongside economic growth. Its achievements offer valuable insights for the global construction industry’s transition towards sustainability.
