The GBI is a guideline for developers to build Green Buildings that are designed and operated to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on its surroundings. As the buildings should be designed to save energy and resources, recycle materials and minimise the emission of toxic substances throughout its life cycle, the 6 key criteria in the rating system will give developers a better idea on how the buildings are to be built.
When it comes to Energy Efficiency (EE), green buildings should improve energy consumption by optimising building orientation, minimizing solar heat gain through the building envelope, harvesting natural lighting, adopting the best practices in building services including use of renewable energy, and ensuring proper testing, commissioning and regular maintenance. Indoor Environment Quality (EQ) involves the use of low volatile organic compound materials, application of quality air filtration, proper control of air temperature, movement and humidity will achieve good quality performance in indoor air quality, acoustics, visual and thermal comfort.
By selecting appropriate sites with planned access to public transportation, community services, open spaces and landscaping and implementing proper construction management, storm water management and reducing the strain on existing infrastructure capacity, Sustainable Site Planning & Management (SM) will be avoiding and conserving environmentally sensitive areas through the redevelopment of existing sites and brownfields.
Another reason is to promote the use of environment-friendly Materials & Resources (MR) sourced from sustainable sources and recycling, and implement proper construction waste management with storage, collection and re-use of recyclables and construction formwork and waste. Increasing Water Efficiency (WE) through rainwater harvesting, water recycling and water-saving fittings, and Innovation (IN) in design and initiatives that meet the objectives of the GBI will mean that the building will likely be more environment-friendly than those that do not address the issues.
As Tony Arnel, Chairman, World Green Building Council pointed out, "Green building practices can reduce a building’s operating costs by as much as 9 percent, increase building values by 7.5 percent and realise a 6.6 percent increase in return on investment. So, green buldings don’t just make sound ecological and environmental sense – they make sound economic sense too."