The article, “Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction” ,ConstructionClimateChallenge (2019) claims that green construction “makes buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable”. This article focuses on introducing sustainable construction technologies that enhance the environment. Three main topics that the CCC are focusing on are the materials, applications, and design. Firstly, the technologies under materials, including “cool roofs”, “electrochromic smart glass”, “rammed earth bricks”, “green insulation”, “biodegradable materials”, and “sustainable resource sourcing” suggest will help in the reduction of “heat absorption” and the harmful impacts on the environment by using recycled or sustainable raw materials. Secondly, applications that are “water efficiency technologies”, “sustainable indoor environment technologies”, and “solar powers”. These applications intend to conserve resources and discourage the use of substances and materials that cannot be renewed while reducing damaging impacts on the environment. The last point is on design, which includes “low energy house and zero-energy building design”, “self-powered building” and “the uses of smart application”. Designed to conserve and produce energy for the building to generate sufficient power. Green construction not only makes buildings more sustainable by using resource-efficient and environmentally friendly processes but also reduces costs for building owners.
While I agree to some extent with ConstructionClimateChallenge(2019) that green construction helps to reduce the expenses after the building is built even though the start-up cost is high, in the long run, it can benefit stakeholders like building owners as well as the users economically[BFB1] . There are three main aspects to cost reduction, namely long-term energy savings, reduction of health costs for workers as well as government subsidies, and incentives for moving into green construction.
Firstly, the long-term energy savings aspects from having green construction will help to cover the initial cost of constructing the building. According to Au-Yong (2018), the start-up cost investment for green construction "cost up to five percent” more as compared to regular buildings without green technologies involved. Au Yong also quotes the Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee who claims that “These costs can be recuperated within three to six years which are well within the typical useful life of the building assets.” In addition, there are also ways to have initial savings as the cost of constructing a green building depends on different conditions. The conditions that are listed by Surbana International Consultants are the location of the building, the measurements of the building, what the clients want for the building, and the number of times that consultants are at the site (Reyes,2014). With the above statements , I believe that the costs might be able to recover within the lifespan of the building as having green construction technologies will help building owners to increase their savings on energy costs.
Secondly, having green construction does not only help in the reduction of the cost of energy consumption but can also help in the reduction of health costs for workers. As mentioned by Minister Desmond Lee in the article by Au-Yong (2018), having green construction in buildings can help to “ensure a healthier lifestyle” for the people working in those buildings. Having an improved lifestyle helps employees from getting sick and eliminates the constant need for workers to go for doctor’s appointments. It also eventually reduces the cost for employers to pay for the claims by the employees. According to Zein (2018), there is a study by researchers from three universities on the Impact of Green Buildings in Cognitive Functions shows that green building’s environment workers are “more productive” as compared to buildings without green technologies installed.
Lastly, buildings converting to using green constructions will be able to get some government subsidies and incentives. As mentioned by Au-Yong(2018), Minister Desmond Lee says that the government, namely the Centre for Public Project Management, which falls under the Ministry of Finance will help to collate the “norms for construction costs and consultancy fees” to help companies with the budget for their projects. Au-Yong (2018) also wrote that the government will work with the companies to “review the design of major infrastructure projects to ensure cost-effectiveness and value for money.” In another article, according to Yu, Toh and Huang(2011), the Singapore Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will be establishing a $100 million Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB) to motivate building owners to take the first step to upgrade and improve their building according to the Green Mark standards.
With the help of long-term energy savings, reduction of health costs for workers and government subsidies. The start-up investments and cost of green construction will eventually be covered by all the savings throughout the years even though the cost is high.
References
Yu, S.M., NUS, Toh, E.S., & Huang, B. (2011). BCA-NUS Project on valuation of green commercial properties. Singapore Building Construction Authority. https://www1.bca.gov.sg/docs/default-source/docs-corp-buildsg/sustainability/green_building_valuation_report.pdf
Au-Yong, R. (2018). Parliament: Green buildings cost up to 5 per cent more, but savings ‘more than offset’ costs. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parliament-green-buildings-cost-up-to-5-per-cent-more-but-savings-more-than-offset-costs
ConstructionClimateChallenge.com. (2019). Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction. https://constructionclimatechallenge.com/2019/02/19/top-sustainable-technologies-in-green construction/
Reyes, E. (2014). Busting the myth of costly green buildings. Eco-Business. https://www.eco-business.com/news/Busting-myth-costly-green-buildings/
Zein, Z. (2018). 5 ways green buildings are good for your health. Eco-Business. https://www.eco-business.com/news/5-ways-green-buildings-are-good-for-your-health/
