The Growing Need for Malaysia Green Building Certifications

Less than 1% of construction projects in Malaysia have the Malaysia Green Building Certifications, proving them to be green and sustainable. This highlights the urgent need for greater adoption of green building practices. Sustainable buildings reduce energy consumption, lower carbon footprints, and improve indoor air quality.

However, the adoption of green buildings in Malaysia has been slow. Between 2013 and 2022, the country saw a decline in green building development. While awareness is growing, the percentage of certified buildings remains low. Despite this, organizations like GreenRE and the Green Building Index (GBI) are working to promote sustainable construction.

The Benefits of Malaysia Green Building Certifications

Green buildings provide financial and environmental benefits. Certified green buildings can:

Reduce operating costs by 8-9%
Increase property value by up to 7.5%

These savings make sustainability an attractive choice for developers and investors. Additionally, Malaysia’s green building market is expected to grow at a 14.3% annual rate until 2027. This signals a strong shift toward sustainability in the construction sector.

GreenRE’s Role in Sustainable Construction

GreenRE was launched on March 22, 2013, to encourage eco-friendly construction in Malaysia. It provides certification programs that promote energy efficiency, green technology, and sustainable materials.

The Green Building Index (GBI), introduced in 2009, has also played a key role in driving sustainability. As of December 2023, Malaysia had 1,176 registered green building projects, but only 671 had received GBI certification. While these numbers show progress, the country still has a long way to go in adopting sustainable construction.

The Challenges of Adopting Malaysia Green Building Certifications

Despite the benefits, the number of certified green buildings in Malaysia remains low. Several factors contribute to this slow adoption:

Higher upfront costs associated with green building materials and technologies often deter developers focused on minimizing initial investment.
Lack of awareness among some industry players regarding the long-term benefits and cost savings of green building certifications also hinders progress.
Regulatory barriers, including the need for stronger enforcement of government policies supporting green buildings, further compound the challenges.

Additionally, the overall green building development trend has been declining in recent years, especially in 2013 to 2022. If this trend continues, Malaysia may struggle to meet sustainability goals. The Malaysian government has reinstated the GTFS 4.0 – a government initiative aimed at promoting the adoption of green technology across various sectors. This includes the building industry, with a budget of up to RM1.0 billion until 31 December 2025.

The Future of Malaysia Green Building Certifications

To encourage sustainable construction, Malaysia needs to:

Increase awareness of certification benefits among developers and homeowners.
Provide incentives such as tax reductions or grants for green projects.
Streamline certification processes to make them more accessible.

Certifications like GreenRE and GBI will be crucial in shaping Malaysia’s eco-friendly future. With a 14.3% market growth rate and rising demand for sustainable buildings, Malaysia has the potential to become a leader in green construction.

By overcoming challenges, the country can create healthier, more efficient, and environmentally friendly buildings for future generations. Malaysia Green building certifications are not just about sustainability—they are also a smart investment in the future.