Singapore updates green mark criteria for residential buildings

It’s the fifth version of the certification scheme.

A new yardstick in energy efficiency and environmental performance of apartments and condominiums takes effect today following the launch of the fifth edition of the Green Mark scheme for new residential buildings.

Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) released on its website the 29-page Green Mark for Residential Buildings (GM RB) criteria which includes climate responsiveness, resource stewardship, health and wellbeing of users, and conservation of ecological systems among standards developers must be concerned about from this day forth.

“The environmental performance of a building development shall be determined by the numerical scores achieved in accordance with the applicable criteria using the scoring methodology and the prerequisite requirements on the level of building performance as specified in this Green Mark scheme document. Under this assessment framework, points are awarded for incorporating sustainable design features and practices, which would add up to a final Green Mark Score,” the GM RB document stated.

The first Green Mark scheme was launched in 2005. It sets parameters and establishes indicators to guide the design, construction and operation of buildings towards increased energy effectiveness and enhanced environmental performance.

The pilot test of the new certification scheme will run for one year and will undergo another review before full implementation.