Overview of Malaysian Green Building Ratings

Overview of Malaysian Green Building Ratings

Green building practices are gaining prominence globally, with countries adopting their own rating tools to encourage sustainable construction. Malaysia is one such country that has introduced several Green Building Rating Tools (GBRTs) to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development.

Green Building Index (GBI)

The Green Building Index (GBI) is the most widely adopted rating tool in Malaysia, having been launched in 2009. Modeled after Singapore's Green Mark and Australia's Green Star, GBI has been adapted to suit the Malaysian environment and is the first fully integrated building assessment tool in the country.

Other Green Building Rating Tools

Additionally, Malaysia has developed other GBRTs, including the Malaysian Carbon Reduction and Environmental Sustainability Tool (MyCREST), Green Real Estate (GreenRE), Green Performance Assessment System (GreenPASS), and Penarafan Hijau Jabatan Kerja Raya (PHJKR). Each of these tools focuses on specific aspects of sustainability, contributing to the overall goal of reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable construction.

Barriers and Success Factors

The readiness study found that financial problems and a lack of understanding by the public are primary barriers to the widespread adoption of GBRTs in Malaysia. Key success factors identified include education, workshops, collaboration, and enforcement of building rules by the government.

Promoting Adoption

To promote the adoption of GBRTs, initiatives such as education, workshops, collaboration, and enforcing building rules are recommended. Education is crucial for raising awareness and understanding of sustainability concepts, while workshops help professionals navigate the practicalities of applying GBRTs. Collaboration is important to share knowledge and resources across industries, and government enforcement ensures compliance with sustainable construction standards.