Climate change has been the talk of the town over the past few years. Countries, businesses, and individuals alike have tried to find ways to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable. With a gradual change in mentality towards issues of climate change, more and more individuals are leading the charge by making significant changes in their lifestyle and daily activities to reduce their carbon footprint.
There are many ways to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. Going net zero is one of them. Net zero, or carbon neutrality, is to basically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero. By reducing the carbon footprint to zero, it helps contribute to the goal of keeping global warming to only a 1.5 degrees celsius increase rather than 4 degrees.
This article discusses how net zero buildings are the future. While it is still far from entering the mainstream, Singapore has committed to going net zero by 2050 on the international stage. Things are moving fast. The government, local institutions and businesses are now walking the talk and pioneering innovative new buildings that are net zero. We also include a special feature of a net zero home!
Singapore’s Commitment to Net Zero by 2050 at COP26
In the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNCCC) held from 31 October to 13 November 2021 (a.k.a. COP26), Singapore has set the target of going Net Zero by 2050. There are also many other outcomes that we have pledged to, which include reversing deforestation, promoting usage of electric vehicles (EV), mobilising finance for climate change, and collaborating with other nations, organisations and businesses to achieve the COP goals.
You might have noticed some friends or volunteers participating in tree planting activities, or seeing more EVs on the road (Tesla Cars & Electric Buses). LTA is even planning to electrify half of its fleet by the end of the decade. The Budget 2022 also included plans fto expand the EV charging infrastructure and bring them closer to homes. Singapore is taking real, big steps to reaching its net zero. This is something that Singaporeans should be proud of and actively participate in. Not just lip service, but actively planning and taking action to build a better future for coming generations.
Being an island city, Singapore is rather vulnerable to negative outcomes of climate change. In the worst case scenario, we will see much of our country under water. This Straits Times article provides some interactive visuals for you to see how bad things can get if we don’t start to take action right now. More and more people (and organisations) are well aware of the situation and are now being part of the solution rather than the problem. Food delivery services are helping people cut down on cutlery usage. Offices are going paperless.
Is going net zero by 2050 a difficult target? Yes, it is. Is it a realistic one? Technically, it is definitely possible. But everyone will have to play their part in making lifestyle changes to be more sustainable. At the political level, Singapore may be committed to making a change. Are our citizens and residents equally motivated? Even if we aren’t as motivated, at least we have fewer excuses with the government and organisations being the ones taking the first step.
Local Net Zero Buildings by NUS & DBS
Speaking of organisations, some have done more than just paperless policies. NUS and DBS are two great pioneers in the net zero building space in Singapore. Taking a deep and bold step into what the future of buildings may look like. It is definitely neither cheap nor easy to do so. Much effort goes into the designing process, making almost every detail and feature as sustainable as possible.
In some sense, it is like building the first-ever aeroplane. It needs to be lightweight enough to fly but at the same time strong enough to not fall apart mid-flight. Similarly, net zero buildings need to be carbon neutral. Eliminating as much carbon emissions as possible, while finding ways to integrate carbon reduction features to hit net zero. Designing and building an energy-efficient building is a lot of work. Making it conventionally usable at the same time doubles the challenge.
DBS Newton Green is the first net zero building by the local bank. The 30-year old building was recently retrofitted with a $5 million dollar investment into its green design and technology. It was able to reduce its energy consumption from 845,000 kilowatt hours to as little as 265,000 kilowatt hours. Furthermore, 1,000 square metres of solar panels on the roof powers its air conditioning, lighting, and other energy needs. The new building now approximately consumes only 31% of the original energy needed. This just demonstrates the massive room for improvement every building could make.
Another local institution knee-deep into the net zero building space is NUS. Being ahead of the curve, NUS’s first net zero building was opened at the start of 2019. This was before COP26 and even the pandemic (can you believe that?). You can check out their YouTube video here for more details about the building. The building aptly hosts the School of Design and Environment, showcasing the collaboration work of their experts with external parties. In order to achieve net zero, the building was architecturally designed to have more shade. Aided by innovative, new, cooling and ventilation systems, the 1,225 solar panels provide the 500,000 kilowatt hours the building needs to operate.
With the power of innovative design and technology now available, the potential for going net zero is within reach. As solar and battery technology continues to make advancements, we will probably find net zero buildings cheaper to build and thus, more common. Government support in the form of grants will also help encourage the adoption of these new technologies in building green buildings.
What a Net Zero Home looks like
If we can build net zero offices and schools, then net zero homes are possible too! Looking at how individuals in Europe and the United States are building solar-powered homes, net zero homes might be catching on faster than you think. It is even common to see some of these homes actually being net negative on their carbon footprint. This means that it actually makes more energy than it consumes. In some countries, you can sell the excess electricity generated back to the power grid, giving you that little bit of cash back for your investment. For a tropical island like Singapore where sunlight is plenty, we ought to be taking more advantage of our solar resources as compared to countries which really only get to benefit from full-force summer a few months of the year.
In Singapore, you might start to see some HDBs or Condos starting to build solar farms on their rooftops to at least help to offset carbon emissions even if it can’t get to net zero. As a special feature in this article, we take a look at a net zero landed home in Frankel estate. This 8,000 square feet home (living space) is built on 4,203 square feet of freehold land. The 46 sets of solar panels on the roof can produce between 2,500 to 3,000 kilowatt hours per month, more than enough to meet the household electricity needs. So technically, the home is not net zero, but net negative. It produces more electricity than it uses.
This spacious landed home definitely showcases how its possible not only to go net zero but even recoup the investment for the green home. The 46 solar panels have a warranty of 25 years and over 5 years of included maintenance, all coming in under $30,000. After an inspection and confirmation from the power grid to buy the excess generated electricity, there will be a positive cashflow coming in every month to gradually offset the investment. By the way, the electricity produced is enough even to power 6 fridges and an electric car. You can take a look inside the home to see just how many appliances can be powered by the sun!
Landed property owners aren’t the only ones stepping into the net zero game. HDB is on track to going net zero for common areas for its 10,000 over flats. Including the launch of its seventh SolarNova tender, HDB would have committed to installing solar capabilities for over 8,400 flats. At the moment, only 2,700 flats have been fitted with the solar panels but the remaining 5,700 will soon join the party in 2-3 years.
Closing Thoughts
Are net zero buildings the future? No. It is right here, in the present. And it is getting readily accepted into the mainstream with open arms. Rather than a distant dream, green net zero homes are not only an investment for a better future and cleaner environment. It is an investment with financial returns as well.
If you would like to have a conversation on going net zero, or enquire about our showcase home, please reach out to our experts to find out more!
