The construction sector’s green journey

IN RECENT months, Singapore has witnessed a resurgence in the construction industry, as new projects delayed due to the pandemic have been given the green light to move forward. But as construction activity accelerates, how can industry stakeholders ensure that we are contributing to the building of a more sustainable and liveable Singapore?

Latest official figures show that the construction sector’s growth picked up pace to 7.8 per cent in the third quarter of 2022, from 4.8 per cent in the preceding Q2. This is an exciting time for the industry, which is seeing dozens of new and innovative projects coming onstream across the country, from new condominiums and skyscrapers to major new precinct developments like the Greater Southern Waterfront, Sungei Kadut eco-district and Changi Airport Terminal 5 in the near future.

However, it is estimated that the built environment is responsible for as much as 40 per cent of Singapore’s carbon emissions. This includes emissions spanning the building lifecycle – from materials production, planning and design, and construction (12 per cent), to the day-to-day operation of buildings and infrastructure (28 per cent). So as Singapore’s built environment expands at a record pace, industry players at all stages must consider how to marry this growth to a commitment to “build green” and play their part in supporting Singapore’s new 2050 net zero aspirations.