Introduction

The public sector is taking the lead by using energy and resources more efficiently. As part of this programme, public sector buildings will have to meet energy efficiency targets to reduce energy expenditure.

Beyond improving building energy efficiency, all agencies are also encouraged to adopt environmentally sustainable practices that are cost beneficial, such as participating in the Water Efficient Building and Eco-Office rating frameworks developed by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and Singapore Environment Council respectively, and implementing recycling programmes.

Through this initiative, the public sector aims to demonstrate the associated environmental and economic benefits and set an example for the private sector.

Public agencies are also encouraged to finance and implement their energy efficiency improvements through performance contracting.

All large air-conditioned public sector office buildings, as well as polytechnics and ITEs, with central air-conditioning systems and air-conditioned area greater than 10,000m² will be energy-audited by FY2011. Infrastructure facilities will also be energy-audited by FY2012.

Energy Efficiency

All large air-conditioned public sector office buildings, as well as polytechnics and ITEs, with central air-conditioning systems and air-conditioned area greater than 10,000m² will be energy-audited by FY2011. Infrastructure facilities will also be energy-audited by FY2012.

Large central air-conditioning systems in buildings will be fitted with instrumentation to monitor the coefficient of performance (COP) of the air-conditioning systems. The air-conditioning systems must be upgraded to achieve a COP of at least 4.7 at the next available opportunity.

Large public sector office buildings with central air-conditioning systems and air-conditioned area greater than 10,000m² will be Energy Smart Office labelled within two years of their energy audits. New public sector office buildings with central air-conditioning systems will also be labelled within two years of operations.

An increase of 1^oC in the air-conditioned indoor air temperature could reduce air-conditioning electricity consumption by about 3%. All public agencies will ensure that the ambient indoor air temperature of all public sector premises remain within the range of 22.5^oC to 25.5^oC.

All new office information and communication technology equipment will meet the latest ENERGY STAR standards, where available, from FY2009 onwards.

Water Efficiency

PUB is working with all public agencies and schools to achieve the Water Efficient Building (WEB) label for buildings they own by FY2010. To date, 444 public sector buildings including schools are already certified as WEB.

Recycling

Currently, approximately 73% of public agencies already implement recycling programmes, which include initiatives to recycle paper products, plastics, metals (e.g. aluminium cans) and print cartridges. Proceeds from the sales of these recyclables for each agency can amount to a few thousand dollars annually. Moving forward, all public agencies will implement recycling programmes by end FY2009.

General Environmental Sustainability

Public sector offices will achieve the Eco-Office Green Office label by FY2011. The label rates offices on practices that include energy efficiency, recycling, water conservation, reducing and reusing resources, and monitoring of resource consumption.

All new public sector buildings with more than 5,000m² air-conditioned floor area, including buildings with development cost fully or partly funded by the public sector (e.g. new universities and hospitals), will attain the Green Mark Platinum level. Existing buildings with more than 10,000m² air-conditioned floor area will also attain the Green Mark Gold^Plus standard by 2020.