Malaysia Green Building Confederation – An Introduction

In the Early Days

MGBC through its technical committee on rating tools, initiated and established the original framework as well as the initial criteria and categories of the Green Building Index (GBI). However, due to delays in meeting the requirements of the ROS and given the urgency of the matter at hand, PAM and ACEM contributed funds and resources to the development of a green building rating tool catered to Malaysia’s specific needs. In hindsight, placing the rating scheme under direct control of two professional institutions whose members come under the purview of the Board of Engineers Malaysia and the Board of Architects Malaysia turned out to be the best fit for the industry given the knowledge and expertise of the local building industry of the participants from these two organisations.

Key representatives from both of these organisations also became members of the core founding group of MGBC and reciprocally, key members of the MGBC currently sit in the PAM/ACEM Committee on Sustainability responsible for the development of the GBI.

In the interim, MGBC will play an active role in GBI by supporting, promoting and channeling industry input for the improvement of our very own locally grown green building rating tools.

The Government of Malaysia, through the patronage of MGBC by its Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water as well as by the Public Works Department of the Ministry of Works is supportive of an objective, unbiased and impartial Green Building Assessment and Certification Scheme professed and pursued by the MGBC through its continued support of the GBI. More than 550 buildings have signed up to be certified under the GBI and 214 have attained their GBI certifications (as of 31st March 2013).

Strong Partnerships

MGBC continues to work in partnership with various Professional Organisations, including The Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), The Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM), The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) as well as the ASHRAE Malaysia whose members form part of the make up of the first elected Board of the MGBC. Strong links with various Government universities has also been established and MGBC now has a representation of a diverse range of stakeholders including professionals, professional institutions, academicians, government organisations, developers, contractors, manufacturers and others related to the building and construction industry.

Promoting Sustainable Practices

MGBC promotes green building programmes, technologies, design practices and processes as well as green labels in embracing responsible sustainable measures and other green requirements for environmental, social and economic benefits. An emerging member of the World Green Building Council (WGBC), MGBC is the only organisation in Malaysia endorsed and supported by WGBC.

MGBC as the lead green building NGO in Malaysia encourages the establishment of a Building Products Eco Label framework, and GreenPagesMalaysia represents the first step in the move towards this. Based on response received from the industry, indications are that the market is ready for an initiative such as the GreenPagesMalaysia for the listing of environmentally responsible green building products and services.