Is this really a “Sustainable Development” or is it only a “Greenwash”?

Is this really a “Sustainable Development” or is it only a “Greenwash”?

Well, “Sustainable Development” …..

Seems like everyone has their own idea of SD!

But when it comes to developing & constructing a building, I believe we should objectively use some rating tools to determine how “green” a building is.

And in the construction industry, seems like not everyone has a “proper” understand of sustainable development!

I refer to a project that I am involved in recently.

The client wants to build a “Green” building. I am the mechanical and ESD consultant of the project.

There are a few ESD initiatives proposed for the building, such as heat recovery, ABGR 4.5 stars, 4 Green Star, solar hot water system, etc.

However, I see some other things not going the right direction.

It was supposed to be “Energy Efficient”.

Enormous glazing area is not “energy-friendly”! This is because when comparing the heat conduction rates through glass and through normal wall are quite different.

If we use the U-value required by BCA Part J1.5, which has R-value of 1.8 or U-value of 0.56 compare to normal single clear glazing of 5.84, there is a factor of around 10, i.e. glass gains 10 times the heat through conduction compare to a BCA compliant wall!!!!! They want as much (cheap single clear) glass as possible, full width & full height!! Is this “Green”?

But then, they want to boast the building being very “sustainable” and “green”, first in this and first in that …..!!!

I don’t see it that way. I only see its performance as “approaching” the minimum standard. (Not exactly true green.)

And if you have a look at the respective authorities’ website, we can’t make a claim and reference to a rating scheme if we are not achieving to the required standard.

“We want you to make the report more COLORFUL!!”…..

Sorry, UNABLE TO COMPLY!!