Grundfos, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technology, has been appointed by Singapore Polytechnic (SP) to be its industry partner to co-drive and support its decarbonisation journey through greater water and energy efficiency on campus. In alignment with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, SP has set out a robust decarbonisation journey of greening its campus, reducing its environmental impact, and nurturing stewards of sustainability, with ongoing efforts towards certifying all 22 buildings in SP Green Mark Platinum by 2025.
The appointment is an expansion of an existing partnership with Grundfos signed back in 2021, under which the two parties look to co-develop energy and water-efficient smart solutions that support industries in Singapore in their efforts to be sustainable, through collaboration, talent development, and sustainability education.
Under this newly expanded remit, Grundfos will be providing SP with industry expertise and counsel on how the polytechnic can achieve greater water efficiency on campus, by evaluating how smart water solutions can help reduce its water and carbon footprint. Grundfos will also be providing valuable proof of concepts in the form of regular knowledge sharing on pilot projects.
To mark this occasion, an SP delegation led by Principal and CEO, Mr Soh Wai Wah, visited Grundfos’ global headquarters in Bjerringbro, Denmark for the partnership agreement signing ceremony. The delegate also toured the Grundfos wastewater treatment plant, the CR factory and the world’s leading dairy producer Arla’s Aarhus facility to experience smart water solutions in action. Both teams also had in-depth discussions on sustainability and education, areas of collaboration, and plans.
Commenting on this new milestone, Eric Lai, Grundfos’ Regional Managing Director, Industry – APAC & Country Director for Singapore, said that for Grundfos to support SP’s decarbonisation journey was a natural next step in their long-standing partnership. “With the first iteration of our partnership, we had set out to support Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises in harnessing energy and water-efficient smart solutions. Today, we are heartened to see SP demonstrating its commitment to ‘walk the talk’, by working with us to achieve a water and energy-efficient green campus using intelligent technology. We look forward to taking our work with SP to the next level through the expansion of this partnership and further supporting Singapore’s broader sustainability ambitions.”
Principal and CEO of Singapore Polytechnic, Soh Wai Wah, said, “SP believes in building a sustainable future for everyone, and has been working relentlessly to achieve this goal in our green journey. In our ongoing partnership with Grundfos, we have witnessed the real-life, tangible impact that smart sustainability solutions can make a difference in one’s carbon footprint. We are excited to work with Grundfos to showcase the green innovations and technologies to the region, and also amplify our sustainability efforts, and build a green campus that our staff and students can enjoy for generations to come.”
Satoshi Konagai, Leader of LIXIL Water Technologies in the APAC region, shares insights regarding LIXIL’s strategic approach to delivering diverse yet consumer-centric designs that captivate while paving the way for future innovation.
The Asia Pacific region holds significant importance in the realm of water technology, especially in post-pandemic times when hygiene and cleanliness at home are increasingly valued. LIXIL, a leading company in this sector, recognises the region’s demand for innovative bathroom and kitchen solutions that fill various needs. Here’s how the brand is spearheading the development of its water technology business in the Asian Pacific region by focusing on delivering high-quality products that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. Discover how LIXIL’s unwavering focus drives its design prowess and fuels a transformative wave in the world of water technology.
Q: What is the role of LIXIL’s water technology business in the company’s overall mission, and why is the Asia Pacific region significant to this?
A: LIXIL is a purpose-driven company that is committed to making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. We make pioneering water and housing products and solutions that solve everyday, real-life challenges that touch the lives of over one billion people across the world. Our water technology business makes up about 60 percent of LIXIL’s nearly US$12 billion global revenue. Consumers trust in our brands and solutions to create better homes, bathrooms and kitchens. Through our focus on consumer-centric design, quality and innovation, we have developed numerous industry-leading products and technologies that deliver an exceptional consumer experience with superior hygiene and comfort.
Q: How important is the APAC region to LIXIL’s water technology business, and what unique challenges and opportunities does it present?
A: LIXIL has a presence across the Asia Pacific region, which is an important market for us. The solid regional fundamentals with thriving economies, growing consumer spending and rapid urbanisation is driving demand for bathroom and kitchen solutions that suit local preferences and lifestyles. LIXIL meets these diverse consumer needs through a multi-brand, multi-category portfolio approach with our power brands, American Standard, GROHE and INAX.
For example, our American Standard brand appeals to first-time homeowners, young families and growing households looking for dependable, well-designed products. With complete bathroom solutions in modern aesthetics, our designer and architect business partners can plan in confidence for their projects.
On the other hand, we note a growing trend for personal wellness – physical and mental –which has become much more important after the pandemic. Consumers are increasingly looking to transform their bathrooms from a functional area into relaxation or wellness spaces, where they can retreat to relax, rejuvenate or recharge from their busy lives.
To meet this need, we have developed the GROHE SPA sub-brand, as a premium solution that transforms the bathroom into an oasis of well-being. With modular configurations and personalised shower settings, GROHE SPA offers consumers unique flexibility and freedom to create their own showering experience. This new water experience encompasses all the senses: from calming sounds with different water volumes and spray types, to visual beauty with carefully selected colours and finishes, providing unique tactile experiences with different materials, activating their sense of smell with relaxing and healing scents of essential oils.
By engaging all five senses, GROHE SPA products promote holistic well-being and enable consumers to create their own personalised home oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation. We plan to officially launch GROHE SPA in the region towards end-2023.
Q: How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the demand for water technology products and services in APAC? How is LIXIL adapting to meet these changing needs?
A: The pandemic has had a mixed impact on the demand for bathroom and kitchen products and services in the Asia Pacific region. While the pandemic has led to a temporary slowdown in some sectors, such as property development and hospitality, it has also led to an increased demand for products that prioritise hygiene and safety at critical touchpoints in the home, office and in public.
LIXIL has responded by developing new products and technologies that focus on hygiene and safety such as touchless faucets and soap dispensers, as well as smart toilets with automatic cleaning, disinfection functions and anti-bacterial technologies.
For example, to ensure hygiene and sanitation in public places, our American Standard HygieneCleanTM system includes innovations such Double VortexTM flushing design for efficient flushing while conserving water, Aqua CeramicTM anti-stain technology and ComfortCleanTM antibacterial technology.
Q: Can you discuss any new products or technologies that LIXIL is currently developing or plans to release in the near future?
A: In our consumer-centric observation and research, we note that the bathroom and kitchen industry in the region is recovering, driven not only by economic recovery but also by consumer needs, which are shifting along three macro trends:
The first trend is around health and well-being, where consumers are spending more time at home. More attention to physical and mental health and well-being. They increasingly view the bathroom as a spa or wellness area. Secondly, sustainability has become a key word for our industry, especially for the hospitality segment. Consumers are demanding brands and products that help the planet without compromising the customer experience. Finally, we observe that rapid urbanisation is placing pressure on transforming the one-function room into a multi-functional living space. This creates an urgent need to reimagine and plan innovative solutions for better homes.
These macro trends are influencing consumers to seek out fittings and fixtures that act as smart, intuitive helpers that simplify everyday routines – as the borders of the bathroom and bedroom, as well as the kitchen and living room, are dissolving. We have the responsibility to offer bathroom solutions with our industry partners that address these macro trends that influence consumer needs and contribute to improving property value.
In addition to the GROHE Spa regional launch, we also have an active pipeline of new products for 2023, including the new American Standard LOVEN collection, which is a complete bathroom solution designed with full-sized features in a compact footprint. It is very suitable for urban apartments and condominiums.
Q: How does LIXIL ensure that its products are both high-quality and affordable for APAC consumers?
A: The LIXIL brand portfolio includes American Standard, GROHE and INAX with a range of products and solutions from entry-level to luxury offerings. We strive to make our products and solutions accessible to as many consumers as possible
Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we practise the Japanese manufacturing principle of Monozukuri – this focuses on manufacturing excellence and quality. We have also invested in a global manufacturing network and a resilient supply chain, including plants located in Asia Pacific.
This setup helps us respond effectively to changes in consumer demand, provide dependable aftersales support and spare parts availability. These important investments are to provide consumers and our industry partners with the assurance of high-quality products and solutions that are durable, dependable and contribute to improving property value.
Q: How important is collaboration with others in the water technology space? How does LIXIL approach partnerships and collaborations?
A: Partnerships and collaborations are important ways for LIXIL and our partners to address industry-wide and increasingly global issues around hygiene, sanitation and clean water.
In March this year, we updated our environmental strategy that outlines how LIXIL will tackle key environmental issues – climate change mitigation and adaptation, water sustainability, and contributing to the realisation of a circular economy.
With the updated Environment Strategy, we want to reduce our CO2 targets by evaluating our total emissions, including Scope 1, 2, and 3, protect water – one of the most precious resources – and focus on circular solutions that can have a positive impact on our planet; aiming at waste reduction from our facilities, resource efficiency, circularity throughout our products along the value chain.
We see like-minded industry partners, governments and NGOs pursuing some or all of the same goals. This creates mutual understanding and fertile ground for partnerships and collaborations to happen with different stakeholders.
A recent example is where LIXIL, together with many other government organisations, manufacturers, and civil society partners such as World Health Organization and the International Water Association, founded “A Global Pledge to Protect Drinking Water from Lead” at the UN 2023 Water Conference. In this movement, LIXIL works collaboratively with our partners to protect public health and safety and reduce lead exposure from drinking water and achieve lead-free drinking water by 2040.
In addition to addressing social and environmental issues, we also collaborate with other brands to improve the design of products for our customers. GROHE SPA recently partnered with Caesarstone, a global company known for producing high-end engineered surfaces, to create faucet handles with their durable quartz designs, offering a curated range of customised options for architects and designers. The Atrio and Allure Brilliant Private Collections can be paired with Caesarstone countertops for a cohesive bathroom design.
Q: What is LIXIL’s vision for the future of water technology, and how does your team plan to stay at the forefront of innovation in this space?
A: As the three macro trends continue to impact our industry, we will need to develop new solutions backed by innovations to address issues that impact end-consumers and our industry partners. We continue to focus on being consumer-centric to better meet consumers’ diverse needs.
We consciously embed consumer-centric thinking in our research, design and manufacturing processes to meet the diverse needs of consumers across all markets. Applying this approach throughout our business creates relevant, purpose-driven products and we are excited to develop solutions that improve the quality of life and solve real-life challenges faced by consumers in their daily lives.
About Satoshi Konagai
Satoshi Konagai is the Leader for LIXIL Water Technology (LWT) Asia Pacific. He is responsible for leading, developing, and accelerating LIXIL’s water technology business across Asia Pacific, a region poised as LIXIL’s future growth engine.
Satoshi joined LIXIL in 2016 where he was instrumental in establishing Asia Regional Logistics, and developing warehouse functions to build the foundation of operations in the company. He also led end-to-end supply chain initiatives such as manufacturing relocation and synergy creation value chain development. Apart from this, he also supported the Asia CEO to drive strategic initiatives across markets.
Satoshi has skilfully unleashed synergies in LIXIL by removing structural barriers and bringing together businesses and people around a common purpose to further accelerate LIXIL’s growth. He has worked with over 200 members across regions to establish synergy functions and also streamlined operations under Monozukuri.
With over two decades of consulting and management experience in multinational organisations, Satoshi held senior positions at BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP (BCG) and UBS Securities Japan, Investment Banking Division. He has a master’s degree from IMD Business School and a bachelor’s degree from Keio University.
Singapore’s upcoming Kallang Tennis Centre (KTC) is the first sports facility to attain the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Super Low Energy Building (SLEB) award. It is slated to be completed in June 2023. SAA is providing architectural consultancy for KTC, while Surbana Jurong is engaged for environmental sustainability design, civil and structural engineering and mechanical and electrical services.
Singapore’s reputation as a city in a garden inspired SAA to design the Centre to be set amidst lush greenery that extends from the Geylang River nearby. The greenery continues onto the rooftop public park and the vertical greenery surrounding the outdoor courts. KTC is envisioned as a first-class venue for tennis events and a vibrant addition to the nearby Singapore Sports Hub, with up to seven indoor, 12 outdoor courts, and four rooftop courts and amenities such as a sheltered event plaza, sponsorship lounge, and a player’s lounge.
The airy design of the naturally ventilated space offers a welcoming sense of visual and physical openness for visitors. The green boulevard between the 10 outdoor practice courts is a mini park on its own, providing a soothing environment to rest or to watch tennis players as they practice.
The building sector is responsible for more than 30 percent of global CO2 emissions. In the fight against climate change and for an environmentally friendly future, it is therefore particularly important to build in a sustainable and resource-saving way. But how to find the most climate-friendly among all the products? How is sustainable planning and building possible? The best way is with measurable data and transparency. This can be found in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
Environmental Product Declarations are a method for the standardised presentation of the environmental impacts of products or services. EPDs provide a data basis that maps the entire life cycle of a building product or parts thereof and quantifies its environmental impacts. EPDs are based on the international standard ISO 14025, which applies to all sectors, but the construction industry is the pioneer in its application. The idea is that the standardised collection of environmental data on building products creates a comparable basis for sustainable construction planning. Planners, architects and builders then use this information to make an informed decision when making their selection.
They use the EPD to determine which building products will minimise the environmental impact of their project. This supports sustainable construction and advances climate protection. At the same time, a sustainable way of doing business is also supported, which aims to conserve resources and reduce environmental pollution. In addition, customers can use them as evidence for various building certification systems such as LEED, BREEAM or DGNB.
The most important contents of an EPD
In an EPD, the environmental impacts of a product are recorded along the entire life cycle or in parts, including raw material extraction, production, transport, use, disposal, and recycling, among others. For each area, various environmental criteria such as greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption are recorded and evaluated. These results or environmental indicators flow into the EPD and enable comparability between building products.
An important component of an Environmental Product Declaration is the assignment of the product to a specific product category. This classification in the Product Category Rules (PCR) is necessary to establish comparability between similar products. In each product category, the relevant environmental factors are recorded and included in the EPD.
Environmental Product Declarations and Life Cycle Assessments – two that belong together
Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) are two key elements of sustainability in the construction industry that are closely linked. Simplified, one can say that the EPD is a standardised summary of the results of an LCA.
The LCA is carried out in four phases. First, the purpose and scope of the LCA are defined. This is followed by a life cycle inventory, which records data collection and calculation methods to quantify relevant inputs and outputs of a product system. In the impact assessment phase, potential impacts on the environment are analysed with the help of the results of the life cycle inventory. In the final evaluation, the results of the life cycle inventory and the impact assessment are considered together.
Depending on the building product, there are different approaches to assessing environmental impacts. All start from the cradle and differ over the further life cycle of the product. The concept of “cradle to grave” covers all phases of a product’s life, from raw material extraction to production, transport, use, and disposal. It shows the complete ecological footprint from beginning to end. The approach “cradle to gate” records the ecological footprint of a product until it leaves the factory gate and before it is transported to the consumer.
It does not take into account further environmental impacts during use and disposal. “Cradle to cradle” is the most comprehensive consideration. It is based on the principle of the circular economy, where products are designed so that they can either be fully recycled or composted at the end of their life cycle. It avoids the generation of waste and promotes the conservation of resources.
How does aquatherm support its customers and partners with the LCA?
aquatherm has had an ISO-compliant LCA carried out for four product families, which has been verified by an independent institute. Based on these Life Cycle Assessments, aquatherm provides customers with the corresponding EPDs for their projects. The results show that aquatherm piping solutions made of polypropylene have clear advantages compared to other materials such as copper or steel with regard to energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and the amount of waste.
As the world celebrated Earth Day on 22 April 2023, the preeminent, multi-disciplinary design firm, WATG, reinforced its advocacy of designing with sustainability in mind. For more than 70 years, the firm has stood at the forefront of sustainable architecture from reducing carbon emissions via renovations to designing energy-efficient buildings. The firm has set an ambitious goal for all projects to have an accredited team member onboard by 2024, regardless of the client’s plans for a sustainable project.
By 2025, WATG hopes to receive accreditation for at least 50 percent of its team members. A pioneer of sustainable design, WATG is responsible for some of the world’s most iconic and eco-conscious architectural projects, including the Fari Islands in the Maldives, and the Hann Lux Resort Banyan Tree and Angsana in the Philippines.
“As architects, we serve as agents of change in addressing the global climate crisis. The construction industry is responsible for 40% of global CO2 emissions, and this needs to change. At WATG, we believe that every project we undertake must respect the local environment and have a positive impact on its surrounding communities,” said Chiara Calufetti-Lim, AIA, LEED AP BD+C and Principal of Architecture at WATG. “We are proud to champion sustainable design and will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to creating a purposeful built environment.”
Fari Islands in the Maldives
In supporting a collective ‘Four Islands, One Destination’ vision, Fari Islands offers an elevated Maldivian resort experience on an island archipelago in North Male Atoll. Its design features innovative technologies such as solar panels and a water treatment system that recycles wastewater. The resort also boasts a coral regeneration programme and biophilic architecture that support cross ventilation and natural wave movements, which help to minimise adverse impacts on the surrounding marine ecosystem.
The Fari Islands project has won several awards, including the 2021 Green Good Design Awards and the 2021 AHEAD Asia Award for Eco-Friendly Hotel of the Year. The master planning project was led by Chiara and Marcel Padmos, Vice President of Planning, and conceptualised with sustainability at its core for a truly unique guest experience across a pristine landscape.
Hann Lux Lifestyle Resort, Banyan Tree and Angsana, in the Philippines
This is an ambitious ‘luxury playground’ and expansive eco-resort that showcases WATG’s integrated design services and commitment to sustainable tourism in the northern Philippines. The resort’s landscape is designed as a biodiverse space that celebrates local agricultural practices. WATG’s interior design firm, Wimberly Interiors was also involved in designing the wellness-orientated 56-key Banyan Tree and family favourite 200-key Angsana. Other green design features include a water management strategy and a rainwater harvesting system.
“Identifying existing real estate to be renovated, converted for new use, and fitted with new tech and systems is now mandatory. Sustainability can no longer be an afterthought and must remain at the forefront of our approach to architecture. Our work can have immense influence on the environment, so we dutifully develop sustainable solutions, integrate them into our design process and always stay sensitive to the site and its connection to the Earth,” concludes Chiara.
Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, and the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) have launched a joint report highlighting the critical challenges that need to be tackled as well as key recommendations to accelerate green building adoption in Singapore.
The report, titled “Going Green from the Inside Out: Accelerating Green Building Adoption in Singapore”, presents and analyses the findings of a survey by Schneider Electric involving 500 business leaders across MNCs and SMEs in Singapore, as well as findings from a qualitative study conducted with members of the SGBC on the level of awareness, preparedness, understanding and views of business leaders on green buildings in Singapore. Fieldwork was conducted between October 2022 and February 2023.
Most business leaders in Singapore have a general understanding of green buildings only
The report unveils that most business leaders (51%) in Singapore have a general understanding of green buildings, while only four in 10 (38%) have a comprehensive understanding. These findings highlight the crucial need for more business leaders to develop a deeper knowledge of green buildings so as to spur greater adoption and progress.
Low awareness may be holding back adoption, but momentum is expected to pick up
In line with the lack of understanding of green buildings, low awareness over its benefits may be holding back greater adoption of green buildings, as only 12% of respondents indicate that all their operations already utilise green buildings. Nevertheless, the adoption of green buildings is expected to gain momentum, as over half (52%) say their organisation plans to increase investment in using green buildings in the next one to two years.
Sustainability goals and energy efficiency are the top drivers for adoption
In terms of the drivers for adoption, the report finds that “sustainability and ESG considerations” (41%), as well as “energy efficiency” (40%) are the top two factors for organisations looking to increase the use of green buildings.
“Cost and ROI” seen as the biggest barrier to increasing access to green buildings
As for barriers, 61% of survey respondents indicate that “cost and return on investment (ROI)” is the biggest barrier when looking to increase the use of green buildings in the next one to two years. This highlights the opportunity to convince more organisations to tap into the various support schemes available and reap their benefits.
Most business leaders are highly supportive of Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 targets
Business leaders are generally still highly supportive of Singapore’s green building targets, with 95% agreeing that 80% of Singapore’s buildings should be ‘green’ by 2030, and 98% agreeing that 80% of Singapore’s buildings should be ‘Super Low Energy’ from 2030. Of those who indicated support for the latter goal, 56% believe the target should be lower.
Recommendations
In light of these findings, Schneider Electric and SGBC have listed five recommendations in the report to accelerate the adoption of green buildings in Singapore:
Stakeholders, particularly developers and landlords, can take the lead to advance the green agenda: Within the private sector, developers and building owners especially play a critical role in ensuring that green features are accounted for from the onset in upcoming developments or by retrofitting existing buildings.
Promote greater awareness to leverage technology and tap on support schemes: To enable the scalability of green buildings, upfront costs and doubts over subsequent potential cost savings reaped from green solutions must be tackled.
Grow pool and pipeline of green building professionals: Institutes of higher learning can work closely with the industry to groom the next generation of green building professionals.
Enabling greater access to green finance: Green financing must become more mainstream and accelerated to drive sustainable financing for the sector.
Forging impactful partnerships and co-innovating solutions: Stakeholders’ strengths can be leveraged to co-develop new innovative solutions and industry best practices.
“As we approach key national sustainability milestones, it is imperative that we continue accelerating efforts to reduce emissions and advance towards a net-zero future,” says Lee Ang Seng, President of the SGBC. “While it is heartening to see companies taking action, more can be done to improve the awareness and update of green building solutions towards a low-carbon future. We are heartened to work with SGBC Founding Member Schneider Electric on this meaningful report which will definitely help the industry to identify common challenges, outline actionable steps, and leverage collective effort to decarbonise the built environment.”
“With Singapore’s buildings accounting for over 20% of national carbon emissions, the case for greening its infrastructure has never been greater, and developers, building owners and business leaders play a critical role in helping to drive this agenda on sustainable development,” says Yoon Young Kim, Cluster President, Schneider Electric Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei.
“At Schneider Electric, we are deeply committed to this cause and are constantly growing our capacity to help partners strategise, digitise and decarbonise. We are confident that by taking this first step towards understanding the opportunities and challenges of going green, we can better help companies navigate this complex but critical task and sustain stronger results in their decarbonisation journeys.”
LG Electronics (LG) has earned the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Performance Award for the sixth year in a row. The challenging-to-obtain accolade points to the consistently high quality of LG’s HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) solutions, as every model selected by AHRI for testing must pass all evaluations for three straight years for the award to be granted.
AHRI is a globally-respected trade association representing the world’s HVAC, refrigeration, and water heating solution manufacturers. Established in 1953, AHRI now boasts more than 350 member companies.
To ensure the highest standard of testing, the majority of AHRI Performance Award evaluations are conducted by Intertek, one of the world’s most trusted third-party standards, certification and testing organizations. Intertek runs a comprehensive battery of assessments on the selected products to determine if the actual performance is consistent with the specifications listed by the manufacturer.
Representing seven product categories – including, for the first time, Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) – all 67 LG HVAC solutions submitted for testing passed AHRI’s rigorous evaluations for the third year in a row (2020 to 2022). In addition to LG’s ERV, the models evaluated belong to the following HVAC categories: Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF), Unitary Small Heat Pump (USHP), Water-Cooled Chillers (WCLL), Air-Cooled Chillers (ACCL), Room Fan Coil (RFC) air conditioners and Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHP).
One of the LG products evaluated for the AHRI Performance Award, the LG Multi V large-capacity outdoor unit employs the company’s proprietary Ultimate Inverter Compressor to deliver a strong, energy efficient performance. Popular with customers worldwide, especially those in Northern Hemisphere countries where winters can be particularly cold, LG’s flagship VRF system is able to provide dependable heating operation in temperatures as low as negative-30 degrees Celsius (negative-22 degrees Fahrenheit).
Also tested was the air-cooled Inverter Scroll Chiller, which leverages LG’s advanced inverter technology to obtain a high level of operational efficiency. In addition to impressive performance, the chiller has a compact design that takes up less space than other models in its class, affording customers greater installation flexibility.
Earning the award for the first time, LG’s ERV solution replaces still and stagnant indoor air with clean filtered air from outside and is equipped with a heat exchanger that significantly decreases hot air loss while also helping to reduce heating and cooling costs. Moreover, when connected with a system air conditioner, it manages energy consumption and indoor air quality to ensure optimal comfort and efficient operation.
“LG has now been recognized by AHRI for six years in a row – a significant achievement that reflects the quality, performance and reliability of LG HVAC solutions,” said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “We will continue to strengthen our position in the global HVAC market by delivering highly effective and energy efficient solutions for commercial and residential use.”
Bureau Veritas is delighted to announce the opening of a “Net Zero” centre of excellence to support customers in their efforts to reduce energy consumption, decarbonise their activities, and ensure the traceability of their declarations. This project is supported by Envision Digital’s technology. The centre will help organisations to achieve significant progress towards their “Net Zero” commitments, thanks to digitised, verifiable and certifiable processes. Thanks to its collaboration with Envision Digital, Bureau Veritas will benefit from the expertise of a world leader in carbon footprint reduction and monitoring.
To help organisations reduce their carbon footprint and ensure the level of transparency that is required today, Envision Digital, the technological leader in artificial intelligence and IOT (AIoT) for Net Zero targets and decarbonisation, and Bureau Veritas, world leader in testing, inspection and certification, are combining their expertise to develop an integrated service offer for energy management and carbon monitoring, that will be hosted in a “Net Zero” centre of excellence.
This centre will propose solutions in three areas:
❖ Real time certification of carbon emissions to ensure credibility and facilitate extra-financial data reporting (CSRD, ESG, etc.)
❖ Attaining the energy and carbon goals defined while optimising costs (monitoring and optimisation of carbon emissions, results-based commitment on expected savings, etc.)
❖ Funding the investments required for carbon emission monitoring (supply of sensors, platform installation, energy-carbon management service) via the energy savings certificates scheme, for which Bureau Veritas is one of France’s leading experts via its Capital Energy subsidiary.
“This centre of excellence is being created in response to an increasingly demanding regulatory context and sharp rises in energy costs. The centre represents a fundamental innovation for our customers, because it will enable them to attain their “Net Zero” targets faster. It is further proof of Bureau Veritas’ commitment to helping its customers to be more efficient and credible in the implementation of sustainable solutions. As an independent third party, we will be proposing services & solutions for today’s energy and ecological challenges, assisted by Envision Digital, leader in its field,” explained Jacques POMMERAUD, EVP Africa, France & Government Services at Bureau Veritas.
“The EnOS™ digital platform that we are making available to the Bureau Veritas teams is based on our AIoT technology, combining an IoT platform with advanced expertise in artificial intelligence for decarbonisation. In the current situation of strong energy and environmental tension, this solution enables evaluation and optimisation of customers’ energy consumption and carbon footprint, to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free economy. Thanks to the know-how of world leader Bureau Veritas, our customers will have access to the services of a shared carbon centre of excellence, encouraging an overall approach and dedicated to the implementation of practical, efficient and innovative solutions,” added Maher CHEBBO, Managing Director of EMEA at Envision Digital.
From one end of the chain to the other [see diagram below], Bureau Veritas and Envision Digital will be proposing a secure, modular, digital decarbonisation system to their customers, along with overall technical assistance; this model is already in place throughout the world.
The creation of this carbon centre of excellence represents a further milestone in the joint efforts made by the two companies since 2021, when their partnership was first announced.
*EnOS™, Envision Digital’s proprietary AIoT operating system, connects and manages over 240 million connected objects and 560 gigawatts of energy assets worldwide. Its monitoring solution, Carbon Envision Ark, earned Envision Group a place on Fortune magazine’s “Change The World” list in 2021.
Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been ranked best in its sector by three prominent, independent Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating providers.
These include:
Number one position among Electrical Components & Equipment companies in the 2022 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) conducted by the renowned rating agency S&P Global. -First place in the Electronics & Equipment sector by Vigeo Eiris, Moody’s principal European ESG ratings agency, and
A List status on the 2022 list of companies recognized as leaders in environmental transparency and action compiled by CDP.
This outstanding extra-financial performance confirms Schneider’s unique sustainability leadership positioning in the private sector, demonstrating the value of its commitment and strategy to combine business with sustainable impact.
“In a context of continued disruptions, we show how it is possible to stay focused on what matters most: people, planet, and performance,” said Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer at Schneider Electric. “Not only do these top ratings reflect our unwavering engagement towards the welfare of our internal and external stakeholders, and the environment, they encourage us to concentrate on action and innovation, and bring everyone along.”
Details of the three external recognitions are as follows:
12th consecutive year on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index
• Schneider Electric ranked #1 among industry peers in the latest CSA with a score of 90 out of 100, well above the Electrical Components & Equipment sector’s average of 21, and in recognition of progress made on Biodiversity, Operational Eco-Efficiency, Supply Chain Management, Labor Practices, and Human Rights (score date: December 9, 2022).
• This assessment serves as the basis for Schneider Electric’s inclusion in the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World and Europe.
12th consecutive year on the CDP Climate Change A List
• Schneider Electric is the only company in its sector to have been listed as A-List for the 12th year in a row.
• CDP recognized Schneider Electric’s Climate Strategy and its commitment to environmental transparency following the recent renewal of its short- and long-term carbon reduction targets, in accordance with SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard.
#1 in its sector by Vigeo Eiris
• Schneider Electric ranked first in the Electronic Components & Equipment sector in Europe with a score of 73 out of 100, a two-point increase compared to 2021 (score date: July 2022). • This ensures Schneider’s inclusion on the Euronext Vigeo World 120, Europe 120, France 20, and CAC40 ESG indices, made up of the highest-rated companies selected by Moody’s ESG Solutions.
Schneider Electric uses the annual ratings from these key independent external indexes to grant shares to executives, senior management, leaders, and talented employees determined as part of the long-term rewards scheme.
Shaw Tower celebrates a series of accolades certifying it as one of Singapore’s most state of the art, sustainable and healthy workplaces. It has been awarded the coveted Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) certification under the latest 2021 criteria – the first grade A commercial building in Singapore to achieve this prestigious accolade. In addition, as an industry’s first for a commercial building, the development is also awarded three additional badges, showcasing exemplary performance gaining the Health and Wellbeing (Hw), Intelligence (In) and Maintainability (Mt) badges.
80% of new developments by gross floor area (GFA) will be required to be BCA Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) certified from 2030 under the Singapore Green Building Masterplan announced last year. As the first grade A commercial building to achieve the higher standards required, Shaw Tower will demonstrate how future workplaces in Singapore can be greener and healthier from design and construction through to completion and beyond.
As a BCA Green Mark 2021-certified Super Low Energy Building, the new Shaw Tower builds a solid foundation on the following key features:
• Superior energy efficiency: The new Shaw Tower will achieve more than 60%1 energy savings – utilising an advanced hybrid air-conditioning system, smart Internet of Things (IoT) lighting and tenant power management strategies. These will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of Shaw Tower, mitigating climate change in the transition toward a carbon zero industry.
• Provide renewable energies: Rooftop solar photovoltaic panels along with a wind turbine will also generate renewable energy, contributing to the overall energy efficiency of the building.
• Employ smart technologies: Shaw Tower will use smart facilities management systems powered by an IoT ecosystem to monitor and automatically adjust indoor air quality and lighting levels for optimal energy efficiency and thermal comfort. It will also capture building occupancy and space utilization data to optimise workplace strategy.
• Create healthier environment for tenants: High performance air filtration and sterilisation systems clean the air throughout the tower to promote better air circulation for human health. This is supported by Indoor Air Quality monitoring systems and controls that respond automatically to changes in air quality due to shifting occupancy levels or other factors.
1 This refers to 60% energy savings above 2005 building codes which is being used as the anchor reference for Green Mark energy savings.
Occupants and visitors can also take advantage of amenities such as a gymnasium, end of-trip facilities supporting healthier travel options and 15,700 square feet of retail and dining options including a rooftop restaurant.
With buildings contributing over 20% of emissions locally, Lendlease continues to work with like minded partners and supporters like BCA and Shaw Towers Realty Pte Ltd, to help Singapore create more sustainable and healthier buildings for the benefit of communities now and in future.
Raising the bar on the future of work
In addition to the BCA Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) accolade, the new Shaw Tower is also:
• The first building under development in Singapore and Asia to achieve the WiredScore Platinum award – the highest rating available – in recognition of its digital connectivity standards as a future-ready workplace supporting tech-centric ways of working.
• Singapore’s first high-rise grade A commercial building under development to be pre-certified the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), targeting WELL v2 Core Gold, boosting the health and wellbeing of tenants and visitors.
• ABC Waters Certified Project by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) for its lush green cascading gardens capping the podium section and the two sky terraces at the top and midpoint of the tower, providing biophilic spaces further enhancing the health and wellbeing of future occupants and visitors.
“It is not an easy feat to achieve the very first BCA Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) award under the latest 2021 criteria for a new grade A commercial building, along with the other accolades from WiredScore and PUB. We are thankful for the opportunity to co-create high-tech, sustainable and healthy buildings for Singapore,” commented Ms Ng Hsueh Ling, Managing Director, Singapore and Chairman, Lendlease Global Commercial Trust Management.
Shaw Tower celebrates a series of accolades certifying it as one of Singapore’s most state of the art, sustainable and healthy workplaces. It has been awarded the coveted Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) certification under the latest 2021 criteria – the first grade A commercial building in Singapore to achieve this prestigious accolade. In addition, as an industry’s first for a commercial building, the development is also awarded three additional badges, showcasing exemplary performance gaining the Health and Wellbeing (Hw), Intelligence (In) and Maintainability (Mt) badges.