Energy Market Authority of Singapore and the IEA co-host first ever Regional Training Programme on Green Buildings

More than 100 participants from 15 countries, largely from Southeast Asia, have convened in Singapore this week for the Singapore-IEA Regional Training Programme on Green Buildings. This Training Programme, which runs from 16 to 18 July, has brought together policy makers, academics, architects and engineers, and representatives from the construction industry across Southeast Asia to establish a path towards a low-emission, efficient and resilient buildings and construction sector in 2050.

The Training Programme was designed to assist policy makers and professionals to address future challenges in buildings and energy demand – electricity demand in Southeast Asia is projected to grow faster than any other final form of energy, accounting for nearly 60% of growth in total demand by 2040, and electricity demand from buildings specifically is set to grow three-fold to reach almost 1700 TWh per year by 2050. The programme aims to help develop regional networks while supplying participants with the tools necessary to set targets, and design and implement better policies and buildings design.

In his opening remarks, Jonathan Goh, Director of External Relations at the Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore, highlighted collaboration under the Singapore-IEA Regional Training Hub initiative that has resulted in the training of more than 300 professionals from 20 countries since 2016.

“The training on green buildings this year is based on the agreement at the 36^th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting in Singapore in 2018, where our Ministers welcomed the progress towards developing regional green building codes,” said Mr Goh. “We hope that the robust training programme will equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge in the development of energy efficient and green buildings.”

Mr Goh’s remarks were echoed by Melanie Slade, Senior Programme Manager at the IEA, who stressed the importance of strengthening networks among policy makers, academics and professionals working in the sector to accelerate a move towards more efficient buildings.

The Training Programme follows the methodology of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction for the development of building sector roadmaps, with sessions focusing on 1) building planning and design, including new buildings and retrofits; 2) building systems and operation, including systems for cooling, lighting, water heating, building management and building operations; and 3) policy in action, including policy implementation of buildings policies, and monitoring and evaluation.

The hands-on curriculum includes case studies, lectures and practical exercises and a site visit to allow participants to learn from international best practices and each other, and together identify pathways for technology and policy implementation. The Training Programme represents the first step in the development of Buildings and Construction roadmaps for Southeast Asia, and participants will be encouraged to continue engaging with the process through further stakeholder consultation.

The Singapore-IEA Regional Training Programme on Green Buildings is the third event under the Singapore-IEA Regional Training Hub initiative, which was launched in 2016 when Singapore became an Association Country of the IEA.