City Developments Limited (CDL)’s sustainability efforts saw the property developer reap a total savings of US$16 million (S$21 million) in energy consumption from 2008 to 2011, revealed its deputy chairman, Kwek Leng Joo and reported in the media.
Speaking on sustainability at the 2014 Annual Asia Competitiveness Institute conference yesterday, Kwek said the company, which owns 37 Green Mark Gold-rated buildings, invests around two to five percent of construction costs on developing green building design and features.
Aside from adopting more efficient building methods, CDL’s sustainability efforts also include publishing an annual sustainability report.
Kwek noted while the government has taken various steps to promote more sustainable built-environment, the people should also take a bigger role. Notably, the population is expected to grow by up to 6.9 million by 2030.
“Apart from the government, the people sector will have to come in. If we can develop very strong citizenry that will also play their part, I think the chances will be greater for us to achieve a certain level of sustainability,” he said.
“Presently it looks quite green, clean, but with a higher density in terms of population, it will be a bit more challenging, more difficult to maintain. Of course the government has got great plans, but the people should also play a role. All the way down to the extent that even at home, there are many things you can do to save energy and resources.”
Image (by CDL): Tree House features a vertical green wall which reduces the estate’s carbon footprint by filtering pollutants and carbon dioxide out of the air.
Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg
