Updated Road Map on Cutting Building Emissions by 2026

It includes over 50 technologies, strategies to reduce operational and embodied carbon

- Ng Keng Gene

A new list of technologies and best practices that will guide building owners and developers on reducing the carbon footprint of their buildings is set to be ready by early 2026.

Called the Built Environment Decarbonisation Technology Roadmap, the initiative was announced by National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat on July 11, and serves as an update to the 2018 Super Low Energy Building Technology Roadmap that compiled a list of emerging technologies for low-energy buildings.

Speaking at the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) gala dinner at Orchard Hotel Singapore, Mr Chee said that the updated road map includes more than 50 technologies and strategies to reduce operational and embodied carbon of buildings.

Embodied carbon refers to the carbon emissions associated with the materials and construction of a building, and typically makes up about 30 per cent of a building's emissions, while the remaining 70 per cent is referred to as operational carbon – emissions from the day-to-day running of the building.

The draft of the new road map currently comprises 54 technologies and strategies, and Mr Chee cited examples such as maximising natural ventilation, adopting alternative cooling technologies, and rolling out artificial intelligence-controlled building energy optimisation systems.

It is being put together by SGBC, a non-profit organisation set up in 2009 that focuses on making Singapore's built environment sustainable, as well as the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and A*Star.