Uniform building by-laws review to promote green technology

KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is reviewing the Uniform Building By-Laws in promoting the use of green technologies in buildings to create a more sustainable living environment for homeowners.

Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said many developers had yet to embark on, or to seriously consider the potential of, sustainable development in using the green technologies in buildings.

“In tandem with the government’s commitment to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emission by as much as 40 per cent compared with the 2005 levels, the Green Building Index (GBI) was launched by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) and the Association for Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) last year to encourage green building development,” he said.

He told reporters this after opening “The Green Solutions for Property Development 2010” conference organised by the Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Human Settlement (EAROPH Malaysia) and the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) here yestreday.

Apart from GBI, the government also introduced monetary and non-monetary provisions toward green technologies, as well as tax incentives last year to stimulate the industry, said Kong.

Kong said the Malaysian Standard or MS 1525 Code of Practice on Energy Efficiency had yet to be fully adopted and incorporated into buildings at their design stage.

The GBI rating tool could also be construed as a substantial undertaking as it required a good energy-efficient design, indoor environmental quality, site planning and management, materials, resources, water efficiency and innovation, he added.

He hoped EAROPH and Redha will collaborate with the local universities to develop green technologies for the benefit of the industry, “because by leveraging on the advanced facilities and expertise provided by these universities it will produce locally-made green products.”

Kong said the government would continue to drive the green initiative and create solutions that would enable its broader implementation.