Colliers unveiled its third annual Impact Report earlier this month, highlighting the progress made globally towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. The report showcases Colliers’ commitment to creating healthy buildings, fostering a sense of community, and promoting mental and physical well-being.
Key 2022 performance highlights include:
Globally, Colliers achieved a noteworthy 10.1% reduction in emissions compared to the previous year.
Colliers Singapore has already reached its 2022 objective by obtaining the WELL Health-Safety rating 215 million square feet of green-certified properties under management.
285 green certifications held by Colliers professionals.
50% of Colliers’ Singapore workforce are women
Colliers’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond reducing emissions. Colliers integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations as a standard approach to support occupiers throughout the real estate lifecycle. Colliers Singapore embraces these strategies and aligns them with the local context to deliver sustainable and inclusive solutions.
“In Colliers’ third annual Impact Report, we are proud to showcase our accomplishments in Singapore, where we have implemented groundbreaking strategies that foster a beneficial influence on our esteemed clientele, our dedicated workforce, and the environment,” expressed Bastiaan van Beijsterveldt, Managing Director Colliers Singapore. “Our unwavering dedication lies in expediting triumphs for our personnel, valued clients, and local communities.”
Colliers’ 2022 Global Impact Report adheres to rigorous reporting frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, and Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure. This ensures strong governance of Colliers’ ESG programmes.
“We are on track to achieve our net zero and Science-Based Targets, both for ourselves and our clients,” stated Sean Drygas, Global Lead, ESG & Impact. “In addition to our focus on climate change, we prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as the promotion of health and wellbeing among our workforce and the buildings we manage.”
Building Review Journal spoke with Ron Pressman, the Global CEO of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a global organisation focused on promoting responsible land use and sustainable communities.
As the world becomes more aware of the urgent need to address climate change, many industries are taking steps to become more sustainable. Real estate, which accounts for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, is no exception. But what does it mean for the real estate industry to be sustainable? And how can developers, investors, and policymakers work together to pave a more sustainable way forward? In this interview, Pressman shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities facing the real estate industry, the role of technology and policy in promoting sustainability, and the importance of engaging with local communities in sustainable development.
1. What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for the real estate industry in terms of sustainability?
Real estate represents around 40 percent of the annual carbon emissions. While very fragmented across trillions of square feet of global real estate, it represents the largest segment of addressable carbon emission reduction opportunities. So, it is important to galvanise focus on this. Two big reduction opportunities are running buildings more efficiently and building new projects more sustainably. Roughly two-thirds of the annual global emission footprint arise from operating existing buildings. There are many ways to reduce this via updated heating, cooling, and building management technology. New build embodied carbon from construction, materials, and transportation represents the other “third”. There are many new options to build to a more efficient standard embracing sustainable construction and materials leadership practices.
One of the biggest sustainability challenges for the real estate industry is navigating the regulatory and reporting environment, and then ensuring that the organisational metrics will result in accurate measurement against these regulations and standards. Transparency on sustainability is no longer optional – stakeholders across the industry expect the real estate sector to clearly report on their sustainability performance and progress against goals. The industry is dealing with an alphabet soup of climate regulations and policies that overlap, compete and differ by country and region. There is a lack of consistency globally, and waiting for one is not an option. Therefore, the sector must work together to successfully navigate the road ahead. Collaboration and a balance between ‘quality’ and ‘quantity’ should be the focus.
On the other hand, as the industry pivots to mitigating climate change risks, there are opportunities to bring competitive, cutting-edge buildings to the market. New projects now have ESG regulations and standards embedded by default, and legacy buildings are also being retrofitted to be up to date with the same standards amid the global push for greener buildings. Real estate owners and developers who are proactively incorporating sustainability opportunities into their assets are benefitting from the competitive advantage of green premiums like high-performance buildings, higher quality tenants, lower tenant turnover, and increased asset value.
2. How can real estate developers and investors incorporate sustainability into their decision-making processes?
Conducting a sustainability assessment is one of the ways sustainability can be incorporated in decision-making processes. This includes incorporating sustainability considerations into decisions regarding due diligence, property condition assessments, financing, building operations, and disposition.
Before investing in a property or beginning a development project, it’s essential to conduct a sustainability assessment. This involves evaluating the environmental impact (and associated investment needs) of the project, including factors such as energy consumption, water usage, waste generation, and carbon emissions.
Specifically, the investors should actively understand climate change adaptation needs for key markets. This requires investors to shift from an asset-centric view to a market-level appraisal of risk and resilience drivers. They should consider ways to leverage technical expertise to build the capacity of communities to absorb climate shocks and stressors. Building resilience against the impacts of climate change will require a cooperative ecosystem made up of public, private, non-profit, and academic institutions. To these ends, investors can support the creation of robust community resilience and recovery plans and should direct their investment to infrastructure and real estate asset classes that are climate responsive, adaptable to changing environmental conditions, and enhance the overall social and ecological resilience of communities.
A fundamental problem recognised in Europe is the failure of valuation processes to take account of climate transition risks. High values in an area of high demand can mask the potential for environmental underperformance to lead to an asset stranding while low values in secondary areas undermine the business case for retrofit. Values that reflected transition risk would help to embed sustainability in decision-making.
3. What role can technology play in creating more sustainable buildings and communities?
Aligning sustainability with innovation strategies is one of the key priorities for real estate companies in Asia Pacific, with ESG considered a significant factor in the decision-making for new technologies. PropTech solutions, and more recently ClimateTech solutions, offer tremendous opportunities to advance building decarbonisation and resilience.
By incorporating technology into their operations, building owners and developers can optimise energy usage, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve occupant health, bolster resilience against physical climate hazards, and improve the overall sustainability of their buildings and communities.
For example, building automation systems (BAS) can optimise the use of energy and the emission of carbon by automating various functions, including heating, cooling, and lighting, turning them on only when someone is in the room, or shifting some of the building’s energy load to times when the utility grid is cleaner.
4. How can urban planning and policy support more sustainable real estate development?
Urban planning and policy can play a critical role in supporting more sustainable real estate development:
Zoning regulations can enforce more sustainable development patterns, such as mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, and walkable neighbourhoods. Zoning regulations can also require the inclusion of green space, sustainable building materials, and energy-efficient features in new development projects.
Transportation planning can promote sustainable options such as public transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly streets. This can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality by going car-lite or even car-free.
Community engagement is also a crucial element of sustainable urban planning and policy. Engaging with the public in the development process can ensure that the project meets the needs of the local community, respects their values and culture, and helps to create more liveable and sustainable neighbourhoods. It can also help to build support for sustainable development projects, which is essential for their success.
5. What are some examples of innovative and sustainable real estate projects that you have seen around the world?
One of the winners of the 2022 ULI Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence – Wesley Place (pictured above) – is a commercial office project on a 1.1-hectare site near Melbourne city centre, featuring a high degree of sustainability technology, including a thermally efficient façade, smart metering, rooftop solar, waste monitoring and recycling.
However, the project was designed with the S (social) in ESG in mind as well. The office building is complemented by a 5,000-square-metre, nicely scaled, landscaped plaza on the ground floor. The plaza retains 150-year-old trees and has 24-hour public access connecting to a variety of other buildings and amenities.
In addition, the project site incorporates a collection of five significant heritage buildings dating to 1837, including Wesley Church together with its associated Manse. Following long negotiations with Church authorities, the buildings and surrounding spaces have been extensively refurbished, with close attention to details such as restoring stained glass windows and sourcing appropriate masonry from as far away as Europe. The church has remained a place of worship, while the other buildings have been adapted to various commercial purposes, including a café/restaurant in the Manse building that has been integrated into the office-building lobby, creating a unique experience for occupants.
The exercise was successful not only as an example of urban heritage preservation carried out in a way that retains the density required by the CBD location but also as a template for leveraging the commercial value of the office buildings to carry out refurbishment in a situation where financing would probably not otherwise have been available. The theme of adaptive reuse is further strengthened – currently, a separate, rather anachronistic 70s-era building located nearby is also now undergoing refurbishment as opposed to demolition.
6. How can the real estate industry balance the demand for affordable housing with the need for sustainability?
It’s a common misconception that a building can’t be both affordable and sustainable. Affordable housing runs on thin margins, so meeting sustainability goals can require getting creative with funding, financing, and strategy. Depending on the regulatory environment of the locale – the availability of grants, incentives, technology, etc. – the level of difficulty would vary. Often, affordable housing runs on a master utility meter – so when the building reduces energy costs, it’s the owner who benefits from the savings. Residents benefit from higher performance and healthier living spaces, while owners benefit from lower operating expenses. District heat networks can bring similar benefits.
Another approach could be to view housing as part of a larger set of systems of mobility, access to jobs and services, and urban infrastructure. Energy, water, and food systems need to be considered as enablers for affordability, and in a context that enables liveability and equity for everyone who connects with it. All industry players should consider how affordable housing can be more than an independent goal – and explore how it can also contribute to a greener community in the long run.
7. How can the industry engage with and address the concerns of local communities when it comes to sustainable real estate development?
One of the pillars of sustainability is social – i.e., the well-being of the communities in which an organisation operates, or in this case, where the real estate project is being set up. Collaboration across the real estate value chain is proving essential to achieving global sustainability goals. This collaboration includes real estate working alongside governments, community members, tenants, and supply chains. It is an indication that the social element of ESG is genuinely being addressed. This engagement also ensures that new development’s amenities serve the needs of the local community – sometimes developers’ assumptions do not match actual desires.
One emerging topic is to view building utilisation as a solution to sustainability in the built environment. For instance, developers can explore how the surrounding community can use spaces to avoid duplication of amenities that already exist in an area, thereby optimising resources to create more diversified facilities and adaptable spaces. It goes without saying that directly engaging local communities to exchange feedback and address their concerns, such as through dialogue or briefing sessions, should also be of importance. This could mean, for example, carving out space on site for an open park, providing a community food garden (agrihoods), or adding additional EV charging parking spots.
8. What role do you see public-private partnerships playing in advancing sustainability in the real estate sector?
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can play a significant role in advancing sustainability in the real estate sector by combining the strengths and resources of both the public and private sectors. Private sector expertise and capital can be leveraged to address sustainability challenges that may be too complex or costly for the public sector to tackle alone. On the other hand, governments can help mitigate risks for developers; this, in turn, raises their willingness to invest in sustainable development. This way, the sharing of risks between both parties can produce win-win outcomes in PPP projects.
One such example in Singapore is Eco@Punggol (pictured above), Singapore’s first eco-town. The award-winning project was initiated by the Housing Development Board (HDB), Singapore’s public housing authority, in partnership with various private sector companies. The eco-town features a range of sustainable living initiatives and amenities that enable eco-friendly high-rise living, such as effective energy, water, and waste management. The development also includes a comprehensive network of pedestrian and cycling paths, as well as an extensive public transportation system to encourage the use of sustainable transportation options.
9. How can the industry measure and report on its progress towards sustainability goals?
Over the last 10 years, the avalanche of new ESG reporting requirements applicable to real estate has presented a significant challenge. Keeping up has not been easy, even for the most ambitious organisations with the greatest resources to allocate to the area. In addition, there are different views on what must be prioritised, disclosed, against which criteria, for what purpose and whether commitments will stand up to scrutiny.
It is important to understand the purpose of the different ESG frameworks and standards and the intended user of the information – there is no one-size-fits-all standard. Accordingly, an organisation will need to choose the right standards and metrics that appropriately reflect the requirements of their ESG strategy and their overall environmental impact and comply with minimum social standards throughout the entire real estate lifecycle in value and supply chains.
To help industry players navigate the vast selection of different regulations and standards, ULI has created self-assessing questions that organisations can use to map the core issues and foci of their ESG strategy to the required and appropriate standards and regulations. One of the greatest advantages of streamlining measurement and reporting is that it frees up time for action that we know is needed.
Wesley Place image courtesy of Cox Architecture Eco@Punggol image courtesy of HDB
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.
Multi-prong impact-driven approach to reduce scopes 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions drive long-term value for the planet, partners and the community
In October 2021, Lendlease announced its Mission Zero Roadmap for Asia as part of its commitment to becoming a 1.5°C aligned company and achieving Absolute Zero Carbon by 2040. The roadmap details steps that Lendlease will take across its business in Asia to achieve its Mission Zero ambitions – Net Zero Carbon by 2025 and Absolute Zero Carbon by 2040. In Asia, Lendlease will undertake a multi-pronged approach by reviewing the fuels burnt, power consumed, materials and services purchased and tenant emissions at its projects, assets and across operations. This includes:
1. Reducing Scope 1 emissions, which are direct emissions from Lendlease-owned and controlled resources, produced directly from fuels burnt.
Initiatives include trialling alternative onsite fuels, increasing use of electric construction plant and equipment, and use of battery storage and charging infrastructure.
For example, the team will be using biodiesel on generators at one of Lendlease’s redevelopment projects
2. Reducing Scope 2 emissions, which are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy from a utility provider, produced by the power consumed.
Initiatives include increasing renewable electricity incrementally to reach 100% by 2030, increasing onsite solar generation on our assets and integrating renewable energy infrastructure on all new developments.
Lendlease prioritises the health and wellbeing of its employees and will only occupy high-performance buildings for its workspaces. For instance, 100% of Lendlease’s assets in Singapore have achieved a Green Mark Platinum rating.
3. Reducing Scope 3 emissions, which are all indirect emissions that occur upstream and downstream of Lendlease’s value chain, through the review of materials and services procured.
Initiatives include investing in R&D and collaborating with suppliers to eliminate embodied carbon in construction materials procured.
For example, Lendlease is part of the Singapore Green Building Council’s Embodied Carbon Taskforce and signed the Embodied Carbon Pledge to Act, working with industry peers and partners to reduce upfront emissions from the manufacture of building materials.
4. Reducing Scope 3 emissions from tenants
Initiatives include partnering with tenants to reduce their emissions and developing next-generation green leases.
For example, 100% of tenants in Lendlease’s malls in Singapore are on Green Leases, which promotes energy efficiency.
Lendlease-managed funds achieve top accolades at the 2021 GRESB rankings
Meanwhile, Lendlease has again retained its top positions in the 2021 GRESB Real Estate Assessment in the Asia Retail category, continuing its momentum in maintaining its sustainability leadership in the built environment. GRESB is an investor-driven benchmark and reporting framework for the global real estate and infrastructure industry based on environmental, social and corporate governance performance. More than 1,500 property companies, REITs, private equity funds and real estate developers representing US$5.7 trillion of AUM participated in this year’s assessment.
All Lendlease’s non-listed funds clinched top spots in the Asia Retail (Non-Listed) category by coming within the top 5 positions, while Lendlease Global Commercial REIT (LREIT) emerged top in both the Asia Retail (Listed) and Asia Retail (Overall) categories. LREIT retains its status for the second year as Regional Sector Leader in both Asia Retail (Overall) and Asia Retail (Listed) categories. Likewise, Parkway Parade Partnership (PPP) clinched its status as Regional Sector Leader in the Asia Retail (Non-Listed) category. These top rankings are a clear testament to Lendlease’s longstanding commitment to integrating sustainability into business operations.
Justin Gabbani, Chief Executive Officer Asia, Lendlease, said: “In line with our commitment to becoming a 1.5°C aligned company, our Mission Zero roadmap cuts across our integrated business in development, construction and investments. We recognise the importance of setting targets with a clear plan to set our sights on a more sustainable future and create communities that can thrive.”
He added, “We are proud to be recognised by GRESB as Regional Sector Leaders in Asia, underscoring our efforts to champion environmental stewardship and the wellbeing of our community. These form strong fundamentals which will stand us in good stead as we continue to achieve excellence in sustainability.”
In a bid to drive sustainable cooling in Malaysia amid the climate crisis, Grundfos recently launched an energy-efficient solution for air-conditioning systems that consumes 50 percent less energy than current conventional cooling systems.
Urbanisation and hot climatic conditions have intensified demand for air conditioning in Malaysia, reaching 1 million units in 2018, an almost 10 per cent increase since 2013.1 This demand is expected to further increase over the coming decades as climate change further drives temperatures up. By 2050, Kuala Lumpur’s average temperature is expected to rise by 2.3 degrees Celsius, while other cities such as Johor Bahru, Putrajaya and Klang may also see a 1.5-1.8 degrees Celsius increase in temperature.
Recognising the need for sustainable methods of cooling
in Malaysian cities,
Grundfos has launched
its Distributed Pumping System, a first in Malaysia. It is a novel
system capable of operating in optimised conditions at any time. This enables
significant energy savings over conventional cooling systems that consume high
level of energy, consequently contributing to greater carbon emissions, due to
issues such as over-pumping to compensate for discrepancies between the chilled
water supply and return temperatures, as well as their tendency to run at
constant speed and pressure throughout their operations, regardless of
fluctuating cooling demands.
With Malaysia’s Paris Agreement pledge
to reduce its greenhouse gas emission intensity of GDP by 45
per cent by 2030 and cut 32 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2020,
Grundfos Pumps Sdn. Bhd. forecasts that the demand for distributed pumping
systems will increase
in the coming years as a result of greater demand for energy
efficient solutions.
Leong Chee Khuan, Area Managing Director for South Asia
and General Manager for Grundfos Pumps Sdn Bhd said, “Climate change
is one of the most pressing and urgent issues
today and it is paramount that we, as countries,
businesses, and individuals, make a swift transition to carbon friendly
solutions in all aspects
of life. For tropical countries like Malaysia, where air conditioning is increasingly becoming a daily essential to cope with
the hot weather conditions, sustainable cooling is one of the key components in
the fight against climate change.
“Sustainability has always been at the core of our
business at Grundfos and with the Distributed Pumping System, we aim to help
bring Malaysia a step closer to its Paris Agreement goals by helping reduce its
energy consumption through cleaner and more energy efficient technologies.”
The Distributed Pumping System is able to intuitively
regulate the water flow based on feedback from temperature sensors, meeting the
exact requirements of different building zones, and intelligently controlling
energy consumption by delivering the right flow at all times. On top of
reducing energy consumption and operational costs, this new system achieves
comfort for users of the building by ensuring a consistent building temperature
at all times.
This revolutionary approach to optimum water
distribution is made possible by Grundfos’ MAGNA3 and TPE3 pumps – both ranges
feature compact, intelligent circulator pumps fitted with built-in sensors,
variable speed drive, controller and communication module, and state-of-the-art
IE5 motors ensuring the highest
efficiency. TPE3 is a dry-runner, vertical, in-line pump used as the primary
pumps, while MAGNA3 is a wet-runner circulator used as the secondary pumps.
The self-balancing nature
of Grundfos’ Distributed Pumping System also means that control valves are
not required, removing the need for tedious and time-consuming balancing which
also reduces the cost of the initial installation.
Earlier this year, Kimberly-Clark Corporation switched on one of Singapore’s largest solar energy installations at its manufacturing facility in Tuas, which produces Huggies diapers and baby wipes. 7,730 photovoltaic panels mounted on its roof will generate 3.5 Gigawatt hours of clean energy, enough to power up a thousand three-bedroom HDB flats for a year.
With this investment, renewable energy will now replace 15 percent of conventional energy use at the plant, reducing Green House Gas emissions (GHGs) by approximately 1,600 metric tons per year. This is equivalent to removing nearly 350 passenger cars from roads annually.
Kimberly-Clark’s Tuas plant has a long track record of reducing its environmental footprint. In 2016, it launched an in-house wastewater treatment plant that recycles 75 percent of the water used in its wet wipes production. Since 2017, it has partnered with Ngee Ann polytechnic researchers to find utility for material waste generated during its production process, as part of its broader efforts to re-use or recycle 100 percent of its waste.
At a ceremony held to inaugurate its solar roof, Achal Agarwal, President, Kimberly- Clark Asia Pacific, said “Our manufacturing operations in Singapore have long been recognized as a leader in environmental protection. Switching on this solar roof marks a new milestone in our sustainability journey and accelerates our progress towards our goal of achieving a 20 percent reduction in GHG emissions globally, by 2022.”
Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, was the guest of honour at the inauguration. He said, “I am glad to see enterprises such as Kimberly-Clark Corporation step up efforts to adopt renewable energy. Sustainable development is not just central to the mitigation of climate change and protection of the environment. When thoughtfully incorporated, it can benefit business operations and reduce costs in the long run.”
The solar roof panels were installed in partnership with Singapore-based solar energy provider Sunseap, which has played an instrumental role in the development of many grid-connected PV systems, pioneering the solar energy movement in Singapore.
“We are pleased to work with Kimberly-Clark in their efforts to go green. As the leading integrated clean energy solutions provider in Singapore, we encourage all companies to look for ways to be environmentally friendly in their business. There are various measures companies can take to reduce their carbon footprint including tapping renewable energy for their operations and going paperless in their day-to-day work,” said Frank Phuan, CEO and Executive Director, Sunseap Group.
The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) kicked off the World Engineers Summit (WES) 2019 on ‘Engineering Future Cities – Harnessing and Managing Technologies to Improve Quality of Life’ today at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, graced the Opening Ceremony as the guest-of-honour.
The world is at a critical turning point of urbanisation, with about 68 per cent of its population expected to be living in urban areas by 2050. In the face of such unprecedented growth, WES 2019 placed the spotlight on critical and escalating issues such as climate change, pollution and traffic congestion. More than 800 international engineers from around the world have gathered to exchange knowledge, expertise and ideas in using and managing of technologies to build greater sustainability, liveability, economic security and climate resilience for cities.
WES 2019 will feature six topical discussion tracks namely climate change: mitigation & adaptation, connectivity & mobility, sustainable energy, Industry 4.0 & beyond, water and sustainable environment and smart infrastructure.
In addition, for the first time, IES and The Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan, (IEPJ) have joined hands to organise a seventh track that will cover building smart energy and sustainable cities in Asia. His Excellency, Mr Jun Yamazaki, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore, also gave a speech as a guest speaker at the Opening Ceremony.
“WES 2019 will cover a multitude of interests and perspectives with the aim of creating greater momentum and spawning new collaborations amongst engineering communities around the world to engineer sustainable and liveable cities of tomorrow,” said Er. Prof Lim Kok Hwa, WES 2019 Conference Chair.
Reading Time: 3minutesGlobal pump manufacturer Grundfos showcased its sustainable water and wastewater solutions at the Ninth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific, a platform for broad cooperation on promoting the 3Rs – reduce, reuse, and recycle – in Asia.
The forum, which took place from March 4 to 6 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, was co-organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), the kingdom of Thailand, the Ministry of the Environment of the Government of Japan (MoEJ), and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) of Division for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Grundfos team at the Ninth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific
This year, the forum’s theme was ‘3R As a Way for Moving Towards Sufficiency Economy – Implications for SDGs’. In line with this theme, Grundfos is showcasing its range of sustainable and energy-efficient products and solutions that have helped customers and communities reduce their impact on the environment, and subsequently addressing global challenges aligned to UN SDGs.
Pia Yasuko Rask, Senior Engagement & Responsibility Manager, Grundfos, said, “The UN has set 17 very ambitious goals, many of which relate directly or indirectly to water and energy. Our resources are limited but demand continues to grow. How do we live large with a smaller impact? How can we use less but gain more?”
“This forum is an incredible platform for key leaders and decision-makers to come together and discuss these issues, and we were excited to take this opportunity to show how technology can make a real difference to the world in this area. Sustainability is in Grundfos’ DNA, and we will continue to build our strategy on the SDGs through our portfolio of sustainable products and solutions.”
Mr. Tsukasa Akimoto, State Minister of the Environment, Japan and H.E. General Surasak Karnjanarat, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand visit the Grundfos exhibit at the Ninth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific
Forum delegates also learnt about Grundfos’ work, specifically around renewable energy. One key initiative is the Grundfos Lifelink water solutions, which aims to strengthen the quality, reliability and sustainability of drinking water supply in rural and urban communities in developing countries, particularly across Southeast Asia and Africa. Lifelink solutions combine renewable energy, proven pump technology, water treatment and intelligent water ATMs with online water management and a professional service network.
Notably in 2015, to improve access to clean water in rural Thailand, Grundfos Lifelink water solutions worked with the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) to test its fully automated AQpure water treatment system, with an aim to turn river water and surface water into drinking water for the residents in 15 Thai villages, meeting the needs of around 30,000 residents.
Grundfos also showcased solar solutions such as SQFlex submersible pumping system, which utilises abundant solar energy to power water supply. The pump system offers the perfect water supply solution in remote areas where the power supply is non-existent or unreliable.
Reading Time: 2minutesFor GROHE, water is not only a source of joy, but also a precious resource. Globally, access to clean drinking water is not a matter of course; it often takes a back seat to public perception given the good water supply of industrialised countries in the Western part of the world. On 22 March 2019, the World Water Day initiated by the United Nations wants to remind people of this issue, indorsing this year’s motto of “Leaving No One Behind – Water and Sanitation for Everyone”.
Sustainable Use of Water Is an Integral Part of the GROHE Brand As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sanitary fittings, GROHE’s mission is to develop intelligent technologies that enable people to consciously and sustainably use water. The World Water Day’s approach regarding the availability and sustainable management of water is an integral part of the GROHE brand’s sustainability goals.
“GROHE’s goal is to design and manufacture products that enable users to safely and responsibly use the resources of water and energy. In addition, we are constantly striving to conserve resources within and beyond our operations,” said Thomas Fuhr, GROHE executive director operations and responsible for sustainability at board level.
Water Systems for a Sustainable Water Experience Without Plastic The water system GROHE Blue Home offers still, medium or sparkling water that is tasty, filtered and chilled to the optimum drinking temperature and comes directly from the striking kitchen faucet, combining convenience and enjoyment both elegantly and sustainably: Time- consuming water purchases, annoying hauling of water crates or disposable plastic bottles are a thing of the past.
With GROHE Blue, a family of four avoids an average of 600 plastic bottles per year, which also benefits the environment: CO2 consumption is reduced by approximately 61 percent compared to bottled water and there is less plastic and packaging waste.
Filter Faucets for Safe Drinking Water from the Tap Worldwide While it is a matter of taste in many regions of the world, there are also countries where water directly from the tap cannot be used for every purpose due to its insufficient water quality. Therefore, bottled water often replaces available tap water when it comes to everyday use in the kitchen. GROHE Blue Pure filter faucets feature state-of-the-art filter technology provided in two different versions by the BWT brand, offering maximum taste and safety directly from the faucet.
The Ultrasafe version eliminates chlorine, biocides, pesticides and bacteria, making water that was not drinkable in regions with poor water quality now safe to drink. GROHE Blue Pure allows unrestricted use of tap water provided from official utility suppliers in any kitchen or bathroom for applications without any restrictions.
Intelligent Water Management for Sensible Use of Water With intelligent water security systems like GROHE Sense and Sense Guard, GROHE has set the foundation for a smart water security and water management system. A future groundbreaking innovation will allow the water consumption of a house or apartment to be exactly trackable and customers with input of their water and energy prices to receive a precise statement of their costs.
This not only ensures full control of the valuable resource of water, but also offers the opportunity to adapt user patterns and to use water more consciously. Hence, the GROHE brand not only cares about cautiously using water but also offers customers the opportunity to make conscious decisions about their daily use of the precious resource by applying digitised product properties.
The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia and creator of The Red Sea Project, announced in September its international Advisory Board of twelve world-leaders in business, tourism, environmental sustainability and conservation.
The Advisory Board will help set The Red Sea Project’s agenda to develop and implement a new international standard in environmental protection and restoration, sustainable development, innovation and luxury tourism. Located along the west coast of Saudi Arabia at the crossroads of the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa, the project is envisioned as an ultra-luxury tourism destination for nature, adventure, wellness, and culture. It is part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious blueprint for the future.
“Utilising this group of advisors to guide The Red Sea Development Company is crucial to creating a world-class project of this scale,” said John Pagano, Chief Executive Officer of TRSDC. “The collective expertise of this impressive group will help us to exceed the inspirational goals set for the tourism sector in Vision 2030.”
The members of the Advisory Board will serve multi-functional roles when working with TRSDC’s Board of Directors and Executive Team. They will also advise the Board of Directors of TRSDC, led by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Collectively the Advisory Board members will call on their broad experiences to suggest best practices across an array of disciplines; connect potential investors and partners to the opportunities offered by the luxury travel industry—one of the fastest growing global economic segments; and serve as ambassadors of the project to raise its profile globally.
Advisory Board members first met in New York City in March 2018 to provide initial feedback on the project’s direction. They met again in Saudi Arabia in July 2018 to visit The Red Sea Project’s unique marine and land ecosystems, and to provide further input on development and sustainability strategies.
“TRSDC’s Advisory Board is playing a fundamental role in the development of the project,” Pagano said. “The insights and advice that we gather from the Board are extremely valuable in assessing and tailoring the effectiveness of our current plan. This will enable us create something truly unique for our guests and for the people of Saudi Arabia, as we set new international standards for protecting, preserving, restoring and providing access to a unique experience at this site for generations to come.”
The members of the Advisory Board are:
Sir Richard Branson Founder, Virgin Group – Sir Richard is a serial entrepreneur known for his ambitious forays with the Virgin Group, creating eight different billion-dollar companies in eight different sectors. Sir Richard’s experiences building Virgin Hotels, Virgin Holidays, Virgin Limited Edition, and Virgin Airways will inform the strategic implementation of many aspects of The Red Sea Project.
Steve Case Chairman and CEO, Revolution – As the CEO of Revolution, an investment firm dedicated to building “built to last” businesses, Case has established a legacy for creating some of the strongest businesses in history. He revolutionized the Internet through AOL, and negotiated the largest merger in business history. Case will work with The Red Sea Project’s executive team to bring transformative business management to the project.
Philippe Cousteau Jr. Co-Founder and President, EarthEcho International – Cousteau Jr. is a multi Emmy-nominated TV host, author, speaker and social entrepreneur. He advises on best practices for social and environmental sustainable development and through his non-profit, EarthEcho International, prepares the next generation to solve the environmental challenges the world faces.
Carlos Duarte Professor, Red Sea Research Center – Duarte’s leadership in biological oceanography and marine ecology will serve to inform conservation at utmost scientific level. His Red Sea expertise, and versatility as a world-leading marine ecologist, makes him a core part of the environmental protection initiative behind The Red Sea Project.
J. Carl Ganter CEO, Vector Center — Ganter is an expert on water security who focuses on the intersections and impacts of changing water, food, and energy resources globally. His experience with Vector Center’s data analysis, contextualization, and reporting will help guide The Red Sea Project’s leadership on risk identification and mitigation, investment, and environmental and sustainability initiatives.
Paul Holthus Founder, President, and CEO, World Ocean Council – At the World Ocean Council, Holthus is responsible for a global multi-industry leadership alliance blending private sector interests and market forces to develop practical solutions for achieving ocean sustainability. Holthus will advise on best practices in business-led marine environmental management and sustainable development.
Aradhana Khowala CEO & Founder, Aptamind Partners – Khowala’s accomplishments in travel, tourism and hospitality will lend valuable insight into building and scaling the project. Her appreciation for tourism as a force of good will help bring together luxury hospitality and environmental conservation together with community engagement for The Red Sea Project.
Sven-Olof Lindblad CEO, Lindblad Expeditions – Lindblad’s experience in building world-class expeditions, particularly marine-focused trips aboard intimate ships, is an excellent resource for The Red Sea Project. Lindblad’s work with National Geographic and his understanding of cultural nuance in remote regions of the world will help inform the project’s vision, development planning and guest experiences.
William McDonough Founder, William McDonough and Partners – McDonough brings a wealth of experience relating to environmental design and sustainable development. McDonough is a leading environmental thought leader of our time, the co-author of Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, and a strategic advisor to many of the world’s largest firms. He brings invaluable perspective to all environmental facets of the project.
Frits Dirk van Paasschen Senior Advisor, TPG Capital – Investment and business expert, van Paaschen has a strong understanding of consumers’ mindset, industry disruption and sustainability. His experience as the former CEO of Starwood Hotels and in the C-suite of various Fortune 500 companies will provide important counsel to The Red Sea Project.
Vijay Poonoosamy Director of International and Public Affairs, QI Group – Poonoosamy is also President of the Hermes Air Transport Organisation. He started his career as an Aviation Lawyer in London, was the Managing Director of Air Mauritius, the Executive Chairman of Airports of Mauritius and the Vice President International and Public Affairs of the Etihad Aviation Group. He has served on the Board of Directors of the US Travel Association, the Board of Governors of the International Aviation Club and as Chairman of IATA’s Industry Affairs Committee. Poonoosamy will be vital for planning transportation to the Red Sea.
Sonu Shivdasani CEO and Joint Creative Director, Soneva – Often referred to as the founder of Six Senses, Shivdasani is an experienced hotelier who has built and prepared some of the most luxurious and environmentally pioneering hotels in the world. Shivdasani’s work in addressing environmental challenges for imaginative projects will provide valuable counsel to The Red Sea Project to steer it in an environmentally conscious direction.
The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia and creator of The Red Sea Project, announced in September its international Advisory Board of twelve world-leaders in business, tourism, environmental sustainability and conservation.