UPDATED

JULY
2013

INCLUDES INFORMATION ON

GBI Tools (NRNC, RNC, NREB, INC, IEB, NRNC:Data Centre, Township) | GBI Registration Fees | Incentives for GBI and Green Buildings

WHAT IS A

GREEN BUILDING?
A Green building focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource
use energy, water, and materials while reducing building
impact on human health and the environment during the
buildings lifecycle, through better sitting, design, construction,
operation, maintenance, and removal. Green Buildings should be
designed and operated to reduce the overall impact of the built
environment on its surroundings.

The global effects of carbon emissions and climate

change are clear. Buildings, cities and the built
environment are the products of civilization. It
is also clear that such development contributes
significantly to climate change and the increase in
carbon emissions. However, with the Green Building
Index, it will allow us to undertake development in a
more environment-friendly way.
YAB DATO SRI MOHD NAJIB
BIN TUN HAJI ABDUL RAZAK
PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

As the Ministry which is responsible for the policies

in green technology of the country, we are proud to be
supporting this significant initiative. With a common
language and standard measurement for building
performance, property developers and owners
can now work towards achieving buildings with
greater emphasis on this Green Building Index,
and tenants are properly guided in the selection of
energy efficient premises.
PTM GEO Building

The challenges our planet faces particularly

climate change and sustainable economic
development are global in nature and so require
global solutions.
The building sector, which consumes as much as
40 percent of the worlds energy, 12 percent of its
water and contributes 40 percent of the waste sent to
landfill, is a major part of this global problem.
However, the building sector can be an even bigger
part of the solution.
As we live in one world, we have a collective
responsibility to work together to achieve change
around the globe. The World Green Building Council
is working within the Asia-Pacific region to promote
the benefits of sustainable building practices, and
Malaysia has embraced the potential of green
building.
International research confirms that green buildings
consume less energy, less water and generate
less waste, and create a healthy and productive
environment for employees.
Green building practices can reduce a buildings
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
buildings dont just make sound ecological and
environmental sense they make sound economic
sense too.
Tony Arnel
Chairman, World Green Building Council

YB DATo SRI PETER CHIN FAH KUI

Image courtesy of Pusat Tenaga Malaysia

Minister of Energy, Green Technology

and Water Malaysia (KeTTHA)

WHAT IS THE

GREEN BUILDING INDEX?

Green Building Index (GBI) is Malaysias green rating tool for buildings
and towns, created to promote sustainability in the built-environment
and raise awareness of environmental issues amongst Developers,
Architects, Engineers, Planners, Designers, Contractors as well as the
Public, so that we can look forward to a brighter and greener future for
generations to come.
The GBI rating tool provides an opportunity for developers and building
owners to design and construct green, sustainable buildings that can
provide energy savings, water savings, a healthier indoor environment,
better connectivity to public transport and the adoption of recycling and
greenery for their projects and reduce our impact on the environment.

GBI is developed specifically for the Malaysian-tropical

climate, environmental and developmental context,
cultural and social needs and is created to:
Define green buildings by establishing a common
language and standard of measurement;
Promote integrated, whole-building designs that
provides a better environment for all;
Recognise and reward environmental leadership;

WHY
GREEN BUILDINGS?
1

Green buildings are designed to save energy and

resources, recycle materials and minimise the emission of
toxic substances throughout its life cycle.

Green buildings harmonise with the local climate,

traditions, culture and the surrounding environment.

Green buildings are able to sustain and improve the

quality of human life whilst maintaining the capacity of
the ecosystem at local and global levels.

Green buildings make efficient use of resources, have

significant operational savings and increases workplace
productivity.

Building green sends the right message about a company

or organisation that it is well run, responsible, and
committed to the future.

Transform the built environment to reduce its

negative environmental impact; and
Ensure new buildings remain relevant in the future
and existing buildings are refurbished and upgraded
to improve the overall quality of our building stock.

We are demonstrating global leadership once

again by being the first nation in the world to
support a green industrial building assessment
tool that takes into account holistically the
resource efficiency of its manufacturing
processes via Green Building Index. The
spillover effect of this is not inconsequential,
as high-value, high-tech industries and
services such as photovoltaic and biomass
technologies will be able to drive high valueadded growth, translating into more business
and job opportunities for the local economy
and thus contributing significantly towards
our Gross National Income.
YAB DATO SRI MOHD NAJIB
BIN TUN HAJI ABDUL RAZAK
PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

WHY GREEN FACTORIES?

The industrial sector consumes over 40% of
the final energy use in Malaysia. In terms of
electricity, this sector consumes almost 50%
of the national electricity production which
is equal to the combined consumption
of the commercial and domestic sectors.
These statistics point to the importance and
need for greening the factories to achieve a
sustainable built environment.

GBI INDUSTRIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION

(INC) & GBI INDUSTRIAL EXISTING
BUILDING (IEB) RATING TOOLS

Since the successful launch of GBI two years

ago, industrial players have expressed keen
interest to green their factories. To cater for
this demand, GBI worked with the Federation
of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) to
develop a rating tool with flexibility to suit
all types of factories prevalent in Malaysia.
The resultant Industrial New Construction
(INC) Tool includes the assessment of

industrial resources and processes, unlike

other international rating tools which tend
to only evaluate the sustainable aspects of
buildings.

WHAT ABOUT OLD FACTORIES?

Existing buildings constitute more than 90%
of the building stock and this statistics also
applies to the industrial building stock.
GBI recognises that Company Corporate
Policy and demand by Importers are
increasing the pressure to green existing
factories. To meet this need, GBI is launching
both the INC and IEB simultaneously a
first by any global green rating tool.

THE GBI
RATING
SYSTEM
BUILDING WILL BE AWARDED
THE GBI RATING BASED ON 6
KEY CRITERIA:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY (EE)
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, comissioning and
sustainable regular maintenance.

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY (EQ)
Achieve
good
indoor
environmental
performance in indoor air quality, acoustic, visual
and thermal comfort. These will involve the use
of low volatile organic compound materials,
application of quality air filtration, proper control
of air temperature, movement and humidity.

SUSTAINABLE SITE PLANNING &

MANAGEMENT (SM)
Selecting appropriate sites with planned
access to public transportation, community
services, open spaces and landscaping.
Avoiding and conserving environmentally
sensitive areas through the redevelopment of
existing sites and brownfields. Implementing
proper construction management, storm
water management and reducing the strain on
existing infrastructure capacity.

MATERIALS & RESOURCES (MR)

Promote the use of environmental-friendly
materials sourced from sustainable sources
and
recycling.
Implement
proper
construction waste management with
storage, collection and re-use of
recyclables and construction formwork
and waste.
WATER EFFICIENCY
Rainwater harvesting, water recycling and
water-efficient fittings.
INNOVATION (IN)
Innovative design and initiatives that meet
the objectives of the GBI.
Achieving points in these targeted areas
will mean that the building will likely be
more environment-friendly than those
that do not address the issues.

GBI CLASSIFICATION
POINTS

GBI RATING

86+ points

Platinum

76 to 85 points

Gold

66 to 75 points
50 to 65 points

THE GBI RATING TOOLS

RESIDENTIAL
NEW CONSTRUCTION (RNC)

NON-RESIDENTIAL
NEW CONSTRUCTION (NRNC)

The GBI Residential New Construction

(RNC) Rating Tool evaluates the sustainable
aspects of residential buildings. This includes
linked houses, apartments, condominiums,
townhouses, semi-detached and bungalows.
This tool places more emphasis on Sustainable
Site Planning & Management (SM), followed by
Energy Efficiency (EE). This serves to encourage
developers and home owners to consider
the environmental quality of homes and their
inhabitants through better site selection,
provisions of public transport access, increased
community services and connectivity, as well as
improved infrastructure.

NON-RESIDENTIAL
EXISTING BUILDING (NREB)

The GBI Non-Residential New Construction

(NRNC) Rating Tool evaluates the sustainable
aspects of buildings that are commercial, and
institutional in nature. This includes offices,
hospitals, universities, colleges, hotels and
shopping complexes.
Of the six criteria that make up the GBI rating,
emphasis is placed on Energy Efficiency (EE)
and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) as
these have the greatest impact in the areas of
energy use and well-being of the occupants
and users of the building.

Such achievements will help reduce the

negative impact to the environment and create
a better and safer place for residents and the
community as a whole.

By improving on the efficiency of active

(mechanical and electrical) systems as well as
incorporating good passive designs together
with proper sustainable maintenance regimes,
significant reductions in consumed energy can
be realised. This can lead to a reduced carbon
footprint and also offers long-term savings for
the building owners.

GBI RNC POINTS ALLOCATION CHART

GBI NRNC POINTS ALLOCATION CHART

23

EE

12

MR

WE

12

WE

8
0

10

20

30

11
10

INDUSTRIAL NEW
CONSTRUCTION (INC)

10

20

30

The Industrial Existing Building (IEB) Rating

Tool evaluates the sustainablity aspects of
existing industrial buildings including their
processes. Additional credits are given to
encourage higher Energy Efficiency (EE) which
is still lacking priority because of subsidised
energy tariffs.

On-site energy capture and improvement in

process-energy-use are given prominence with
provision of breakout space to reduce workers
fatigue.

The prominence and importance of Indoor

Environmental Quality (IEQ) is maintained to
ensure the well-being and productivity of the
occupants and workers.

Proximity to cargo transportation also reduces

environmental pollution.

Credit points are also increased for Water

Efficiency (WE) and Innovation (IN) to encourage
improvements and modifications.

This tool was developed in collaboration with

the Federation of Manufacturers Malaysia
(FMM).

Facility Management is introduced to inculcate

good sustainable management practices. This
will improve environmental protection through
the appropriate the use of chemicals, pesticides
and procurement policies.

GBI INC POINTS ALLOCATION CHART

GBI IEB POINTS ALLOCATION CHART

33

EE

22

EQ

10

MR

Silver

WE

10

WE

Certified

IN

22

10

20

30

40

MR

MR

12
10
0

10

30

40

In particular, two different sets of energy

efficiency targets have been incorporated to
reflect the different energy intensities of
simple retail-type outlets as opposed to
complex-type malls.

40

38

21

21

11
10

SM

10

MR

9
12

WE

10

IN

10

20

30

40

10

20

30

40

TOWNSHIP

The NREB: Retail tool is a bespoke tool based

on the generic NREB rating tool. The development of the tool benefitted from the collaboration with the Malaysia Shopping Malls
Association where pilot testing was conducted
on a number of volunteer existing retail malls.
The sustainable criteria in the tool provides an
opportunity for existing retail malls to improve
their premises to achieve energy savings,
water savings, a healthier indoor environment,
adoption of recycling practices and provide
greenery. Achieving GBI rating is a message to
the public that the mall management cares for
the environment.

Sustainable Townships are livable places that

meet the diverse needs of the community, both
now and in the future. They are places that are
well planned and designed, safe and secure,
and enhances the surrounding environment,
thus providing a high quality of life for the
people who live, work and play there.
The GBI Township Tool sets out a vision for
sustainability within the built environment and
provides guidance to assist end users to deliver
sustainable townships.
Please refer to the Sustainable Townships
section (page 8) for more details.

GBI TOWNSHIP POINTS ALLOCATION CHART

21
11
10

SM

10

MR

7
10

20

30

40

14

TRC

10

15

BDR

10

IN

26

CPD

12

WE

15

EEC

21

EQ

16

38

EE

20

CEW

GBI NREB: RETAIL POINTS ALLOCATION CHART

35

IN
30

GBI NREB: DATA CENTRE POINTS ALLOCATION CHART

EE

NREB: RETAIL

The NRNC: Retail tool was developed in

collaboration with the Malaysia Shopping
Malls Association. The tool is designed to
provide guidance to key stakeholders in the
delivery of sustainable shopping centers and
retail malls to meet the global and local
demand for such green premises. It is based
on the generic NRNC rating tool with bespoke
criteria incorporated to suit the functional and
operational needs of differing types of retail
malls and outlets.

WE

20

20

The importance of Indoor Environmental

Quality, Facility Management, Water Efficiency
and Innovation are emphasised and rewarded.

EQ

16

IN

10

MR

10

35

WE

EQ

12

SM

SM

IN

10

EE

10

SM

MR

38

EQ

18

SM

21

The NREB: Data Center rating tool is a

bespoke tool based on the generic NREB
rating tool and accords a higher emphasis on
Energy Efficiency (EE) to address the high
energy usage which is a characteristic of data
centers. The tool encourages existing facilities
to improve their Power Usage Effectiveness
(PUE) by awarding points for increasing
improvements over previous years.

Allocation of GBI points for the 6 generic

criteria remains unchanged.

EE

GBI NRNC: RETAIL POINTS ALLOCATION CHART

EE

Performance based approach is reiterated in

all other criteria such as internal noise level
thresholds which will vary with different types
of occupancy; external views which will be
applicable only to the main office portion of
the Data Centre; and recognition of cold aisle
containment concept.

EQ

NRNC: RETAIL

The GBI Industrial New Construction (INC)

Rating Tool adopts the established six GBI
criteria with emphasis placed on Energy
Efficiency (EE) and Indoor Environmental
Quality (IEQ). These have the greatest impact
on energy use and the well-being of occupants
and workers in the industrial building.

The NRNC: Data Centre rating tool is derived

from the generic NRNC rating tool with
bespoke requirements incorporated for
specific criteria relevant to Date Centre design
and operation. For instance, in lieu of Building
Energy Intensity (BEI) the PUE (Power Usage
Effectiveness) metrics is adopted.

SM

40

NREB: DATA CENTRE

GBI NRNC:DATA CENTRE POINTS ALLOCATION CHART

38

IN

INDUSTRIAL
EXISTING BUILDING (IEB)

The tool evaluates some credits prescriptively

but the majority of credits are performance
based.

Facility Management is introduced for

Sustainable Site Planning & Management
(SM) and Materials & Resources (MR). This will
improve environmental protection through the
appropriate use of chemicals, pesticides and
procurement policies.

WE

40

Credit points are also increased for Water

Efficiency (WE) and Innovation (IN) to encourage
such improvements and modifications.

EE

21

IN

For the NREB Tool, the highest emphasis is on

Energy Efficiency (EE) and Indoor Environmental
Quality (IEQ) to address energy-use and wellbeing and productivity of the users of the
building. These two criteria together account
for 59% of the total credit points.

EQ

16

SM

MR

IN

35

EQ

33

The GBI Non-Residential Existing Building

(NREB) Rating Tool evaluates the sustainable
aspects of existing non-residential buildings.

GBI NREB POINTS ALLOCATION CHART

EE

12

EQ
SM

NRNC: DATA CENTRE

10

BSI
20

30

40

10

20

30

ORGANISATION

THE GBI BUILDING ASSESSMENT PROCESS

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

APPLICATION & REGISTRATION

Applicant to appoint their

Project Coordinator/GBI Facilitator
and submit for Design Assessment
(DA) to GSB

Complete and submit the Application &

Registration Form to GSB
with supporting documents

Is the
Application
complete?

Is the DA
Submission
complete?

INCOMPLETE

REGULATORY BODY

STAGE 3

COMPLETION & VERIFICATION

ASSESSMENT (CVA)

Applicant to submit for Completion &

Verification Assessment (CVA)
upon completion of project

GSB to return and request

for completed DA submission

GSB to request for more

information from Applicant

GBI ACCREDITATION PANEL

(GBIAP)

GBI Certifier undertakes CVA

APPEAL

INCOMPLETE

GSB notifies Applicant of CVA result

COMPLETE

GBI CERTIFIERS

DESIGN ASSESSMENT (DA)

To Submit Appeal Form & Fees

COMPLETE

GSB processes application and notifies

Applicant of the Registration Fee

GBI Certifier undertakes the DA

Appeal by
Applicant?

APPLICATION

ASSESSMENT & ACCREDITATION

GSB notifies Applicant of DA result

Applicant to make the necessary

Registration Fee payment to GSB
and submit any other additional
required information

APPEAL

APPEAL

REGISTRATION

GBI FACILITATORS

Fail
Request Review for a
Higher Rating

Fail
Request Review for a
Higher Rating
To Submit Appeal Form & Fees

NO APPEAL

GBI PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Appeal by
Applicant?

GSB registers the application and gives a

GBI Registration Number to the Applicant

1) GBI ACCREDITATION PANEL (GBIAP)

The GBIAP comprises leading industry professionals recognised

for their contribution in sustainable developments in Malaysia.
They have been actively involved in every step of the rating
systems development, ensuring that the rating system is fully
tested and compliant to both local and international standards
and best practices.

GBIAP issues Provisional GBI

Certificate to Applicant

GBIAP assigns GBI Certifier

at appropriate time

Complete and submit the GBI Application Form with the Applicants
contact details, project information and supporting documents to
Greenbuildingindex Sdn Bhd (GSB). The Registration Fee will be set
depending on the size of the project. Upon payment of the fees, a GBI
registration number will be given and the GBI Terms and Conditions will
be signed between the Applicant and GSB. A GBI Certifier will then be
appointed for the project.
*GSB = Greenbuildingindex Sdn Bhd

3) GBI FACILITATORS

GBI BUILDING
REGISTRATION FEES
SIZE OF PROJECT

How do I register?
DOWNLOAD THE GBI
APPLICATION FORMS
FROM THE WEBSITE

www.greenbuildingindex.org

TOTAL GROSS
FLOOR AREA (m2)

EXISTING BUILDING

Single Residence

Below 2,000

5,000.00 4

N/A

Small

Up to 4,000

8,000.00

6,000.00

Intermediate

4,001 to 10,000

10,000.00

9,000.00

Medium

10,001 to 30,000

20,000.00

12,000.00

Large

30,001 to 50,000

32,000.00

14,000.00

Extra Large

50,001 to 100,000

45,000.00

19,000.00

Mega Project

Above 100,000

Assessment fee will be determined on a

project-by-project basis

Rates shown are as of the date of Application and Registration and may be reviewed from time to time as appropriate.
Rates shown are excluding Government Service Tax (GST).
Includes Non-Residential New Construction (NRNC), Residential New Construction (RNC) and Industrial New Construction (INC) and NRNC:Data Centre.
Includes Non-Residential Existing Building (NREB) and Industrial Existing Building (IEB).
4
Applicable only to RNC.
1
1
2
3

PROJECT ASSESSMENT
Fee as per prescribed includes:
One Design Assessment (DA)

involve a presentation by the Applicant and their Project Design Team or

by the GBI Facilitator. The GBI Certifier will upon completion, table the
assessment report to the GBIAP to register and award the certification.

APPEAL
A flat rate of RM1,000.00
per credit point

Upon completion of the project, the Applicant should submit for the
Completion and Verification Assessment (CVA). This is to be done
within 12 months after the completion of the building or when the
building becomes 50 percent occupied, whichever is the earlier. The
final GBI award will be issued by the GBIAP upon completion of this
CVA assessment. Buildings are awarded GBI - Platinum, Gold, Silver or
Certified ratings depending on the scores achieved. Buildings will have
to be re-assessed every three years in order to maintain their GBI rating
to ensure that the buildings are well-maintained.

with the accompanying GBI score sheet to show the scores achieved.

A) TAX EXEMPTION

REGISTRATION FEES (RM) 1

NEW CONSTRUCTION

When the Applicant is ready he may then submit the project for GBI
Design Assessment (DA) either directly or through an appointed GBI
Facilitator. Submission should be done when all key criteria of the design
are finalised and preferably before the commencement of construction so
as to enable the project to be monitored and assessed in its entirety. The

*LAM = Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia

INCENTIVES FOR BUILDINGS OBTAINING GBI CERTIFICATE

For GBI Township Registration Fees, please refer to page 10.

The roles and responsibility of GBI Facilitators are to

provide services to enable building projects to achieve GBI
accreditation.

NO APPEAL

GSB records & publishes in

GBI Register

2) GBI CERTIFIERS
The roles and responsibility of GBI Certifiers are to perform
the detailed assessment and accreditation of building projects
submitted to the GBI Accreditation Panel for GBI Certification.

GSB records & publishes in

GBI Register
GBIAP and LAM issue GBI Certificate
to Applicant

GBI Agreement to be signed between

GSB and Applicant

The GBI rating system will be regulated by the GBI Accreditation

Panel (GBIAP), an independent committee consisting of senior
building professionals that will be reviewing and awarding the
GBI rating to qualified projects.

APPEAL

Any person who incurs Qualifying Expenditure (QE) to obtain GBI

certification for a building used for his business qualifies for tax
exemption. This tax incentive provides exemption on the statutory
income which is equivalent to 100% of that expenditure.
Qualifying Expenditure means an additional expenditure (known as
the Green Building Cost Sum) incurred in relation to construction of
a building, alteration, renovation, extension or improvement of an
existing building. The exemption can be up to 100% of statutory
income for each year of assessment.
Any unutilised QE can be carried forward to subsequent years of
assessment until the amount is fully exempted. This tax exemption
only applies once for each building certified from 24 October 2009
until 31 December 2014.
The types of tax incentive mutually exclusive to this tax exemption
are addressed in the guidelines issued by Lembaga Hasil Dalam
Negeri Malaysia (LHDNM).

B) STAMP DUTY EXEMPTION

The stamp duty exemption provides exemption on instruments
of transfer of ownership of buildings and residential properties
acquired from property developers and awarded GBI certificate. The
exemption is on the additional cost of the property incurred to obtain
the GBI certificate. The exemption is only given for the first transfer
of ownership of the building and for sales and purchase agreements
executed from 24 October 2009 until 31 December 2014.

Once certified, applicants can claim for the tax exemption or stamp
duty exemption in their annual Income Tax return Forms. The GBI
Certificate has to be kept for audit purposes by LHDNM.
Please note that a complete set of guidelines on the tax and stamp
duty exemption can be obtained from www.hasil.gov.my.

CORE CATEGORIES
CLIMATE, ENERGY
& WATER (CEW)

BUILDING BETTER GREEN COMMUNITIES

GBI TOWNSHIP RATING TOOL

WHAT IS A

SUSTAINABLE TOWNSHIP?
Sustainable Townships are livable
places that meet the diverse needs
of the community, both now and
in the future. They are places that
are well planned and designed,
safe and secure, and enhances the
surrounding environment, thus
providing a high quality of life for
the people who live, work and
play there.

DRIVERS FOR
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT

The Green Building Index, first

launched on 21 May 2009, was
created to provide a common
and verifiable building industry
mechanism to benchmark buildings
within the Malaysian context. As a
follow-up, the introduction of this
GBI Township Tool is significant
and timely to widen the green
transformation to the next level
in line with the Governments New
Economic Model to become a highincome nation and low-carbon
economy that is both inclusive and
sustainable by 2020.
YAB DATO SRI MOHD NAJIB
BIN TUN HAJI ABDUL RAZAK
PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

COMMUNITY PLANNING
& DESIGN (CPD)

Balanced ongoing production and

consumption of energy and water

Respect the surrounding environment

and native ecological systems

Planned and designed for the benefit

of the community

Aim for zero net carbon emissions by

maximising passive design principles,
minimising the impact of heat island effect,
minimising energy consumption, adopting
onsite energy generation, utilising renewable
energy technologies such as co-generation
and micro-generation.

Sensitive to the needs of the local ecology

& biodiversity and aims to preserve and
enhance the ecological value of the natural
environment.

Created using an integrated approach to

master planning and best practice urban
design principles emphasising people
priority and greenspaces.

Assist in stabilising land subsidence

by reducing the impact of flooding and
erosion.

Such goals help create a strong sense of

place for communities resulting in more
livable and diverse neighbourhoods.

Water neutral through the reduction

of mains water consumption, rainwater
harvesting and greywater recycling.

TRANSPORTATION &
CONNECTIVITY (TRC)

BUILDING &
RESOURCES (BDR)

BUSINESS &
INNOVATION (BSI)

WHAT IS THE

GBI TOWNSHIP TOOL?

Well-connected places with a broad

range of transportation options

Lower impact on resources by applying

the more from less principle

Excellent accessibility, connectivity and are

well linked to surrounding districts.

Emphasize the need to minimise the use of

highly resource-intensive materials by using
a life cycle approach.

Making good use of existing transport links

and make priority and provision for future
services such as rail, bus and cycling
networks.

In recognition of this, the Malaysian

Government has taken a significant step
forward, especially as a developing nation,
by committing to a minimum reduction of
40% of its carbon emissions by 2020 (based
on 2005 carbon emission levels).

Countries throughout the globe have

adopted various approaches and strategies
for addressing climate change and driving
sustainable development. The Malaysian
Government has set a range of ambitious
policies and targets what is now needed
is a vehicle for the implementation and
delivery of projects that support the
governments goals.

ECOLOGY &
ENVIRONMENT (EEC)

The Triple Bottom Line Model

Climate change and the impacts of global

warming, have forced both governments
and industry to make substantial changes to
the way that they operate and function the
old business-as-usual adage is no longer
acceptable in anyones language.

It must be noted, that the reduction of

carbon emissions is only part of the solution,
there is a clear need for a holistic approach
to addressing sustainability issues, an
approach that incorporates both mitigation
and adaptation measures.

FOR SUSTAINABLE
TOWNSHIPS IN MALAYSIA

Image courtesy of Sime Darby Property

Green Rating tools are conceived to be able to assist architects, planners, designers, builders,
property owners, government bodies, developers and end users to understand the impact of
each design choice and solution towards being more environment-friendly.
The Malaysian Green Building Index was created to provide the building industry a common
and verifiable mechanism to benchmark green property development.
The GBI Township Tool takes it to another level and sets out a vision for sustainability
within the built environment and provides guidance to assist end users to deliver
sustainable townships.

Tailored to respond to local needs in

creating business/employment whilst
incorporating innovative solutions
Provide employment opportunities for its
residents to work closer to their homes and
schools and avenues for businesses to form
and flourish.

Making effective use of local materials

and resources for the construction of new
communities.

With the introduction of this Township tool, it

will provide an opportunity for the application
of public-private smart partnership approach
throughout the development process that will
facilitate the Government Agencies and local
Authorities, developers and the professional
teams to work together to generate places that
are well planned and designed, safe and secure,
and enhance the surrounding environment.

Demonstrate best-practices through the

implementation of innovative technologies
and solutions at many different levels of the
township.

GBI TOWNSHIP TOOL

POINTS ALLOCATION CHART
CLIMATE, ENERGY & WATER (CEW)

20
Ecology & Environment (EEC)

15
Community planning & Design (CPD)

26
Transportation & Connectivity (TRC)

14
Building & Resources (BDR)

YB DATO SERI CHOR CHEE HEUNG

15

MINISTER OF HOUSING & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Business & Innovation (BSI)

10
0

10

20

30

The GBI TOWNSHIP Assessment Process

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

APPLICATION & REGISTRATION

Complete and submit the

GBI Township Application &
Registration Form to GSB with
supporting documents

Is the
Application
complete?

PLANNING ASSESSMENT (PA)

Applicant to appoint their

Project Coordinator/GBI
Facilitator and submit for
Planning Assessment (PA) to GSB

GSB to request for

more information
from Applicant

GSB to return &

request for more
information to complete
PA submission

INCOMPLETE
Is the PA
Submission
complete?

INCOMPLETE

STAGE 3

FINAL PLANNING ASSESSMENT (FPA)

Applicant to submit for Completion

& Verification Assessment (CVA)
upon completion of all the key
sustainable strategies and criteria

GBI Certifier
undertakes the FPA

GBI Certifier undertakes CVA

GSB notifies Applicant

of FPA result

COMPLETE
GBI Certifier undertakes the PA

APPLICATION
REGISTRATION

GSB notifies Applicant

of PA result

Fail
Request Review for
a Higher Rating

Appeal by
Applicant?

GSB notifies Applicant

of CVA result

APPEAL

To Submit Appeal
Form & Fees
Appeal by
Applicant?

APPEAL

NO APPEAL

APPEAL
GSB records & publishes in
GBI Register
GBIAP issues GBI Township
(FPA) Certificate to Applicant

NO APPEAL
GSB records & publishes in
GBI Register
GBIAP issues Provisional GBI
Township (PA) Certificate to
Applicant

GBIAP assigns GBI Certifier

at appropriate time

*GSB = Greenbuildingindex Sdn Bhd

Complete and submit the GBI Application Form with the Applicants
contact details, project information and supporting documents to
Greenbuildingindex Sdn Bhd (GSB). The Registration Fee will be set
depending on the size of the project. Upon payment of the fees, a GBI
registration number will be given and the GBI Terms and Conditions
will be signed between the Applicant and GSB. A GBI Certifier will
then be appointed for the project.
Note: Minimum to register shall be 20 acres and 50% of buildings
to be GBI Certified.

*Note the validity of this PA is 5 years.

The Applicant may submit a development for GBI Planning Assessment

(PA) either directly or through an appointed GBI Facilitator. Submission
should be done when all key sustainable strategies and criteria are
finalised. The GBI Certifier will then undertake the Planning Assessment
for GSB. This may include a presentation by the Applicant and the
Project Team or by the GBI Facilitator. The GBI Certifier will upon
completion, table the assessment report to the GBIAP to register and
award the certification. The Provisional GBI Township (PA) certification
will then be issued with the accompanying GBI score sheet to show
the scores achieved

GBI TOWNSHIP REGISTRATION FEES

10

Appeal by
Applicant?

NO APPEAL

GBI Agreement to be signed

between GSB and Applicant

ACREAGE (acres)

REGISTRATION FEES (RM)

SMALL

20 to 40

15,000.00

INTERMEDIATE

41 to 100

29,000.00

MEDIUM

101 to 150

40,000.00

LARGE

151 to 350

55,000.00

EXTRA LARGE

351 to 500

90,000.00

501 to 1,000

135,000.00

Above 1,000

Fee will be determined on a

project-by-project basis

MEGA PROJECT

Appeal
Fail
Request Review for
a Higher Rating

To Submit Appeal
Form & Fees

GSB registers the application

and gives a GBI Registration
Number to the Applicant

SIZE OF PROJECT

Appeal
Fail
Request Review for
a Higher Rating
To Submit Appeal
Form & Fees

Appeal

Applicant to make the necessary

Registration Fee payment to GSB
and submit any other additional
required information

COMPLETION & VERIFICATION

ASSESSMENT (CVA)

Applicant to submit for Final

Planning Assessment (FPA)
upon project receiving the
relevant Planning Approval
from the Authorities

COMPLETE
GSB processes application
and notifies Applicant of
the Registration Fee

STAGE 4

PROJECT ASSESSMENT
Fee as per prescribed includes:
One Planning Assessment (PA)
One Final Planning Assessment (FPA)
(PA/FPA are subject to renewal every 5 years.
Additional Fees will apply.)
One Completion & Verification Assessment (CVA)

*Rates shown are as of date of Application and Registration and

may be revised from time to time.
*Rates shown are excluding Government Service Tax (GST).

*Note the validity of this FPA is 5 years.

Upon the project receiving the relevant Planning Approval from

the Authorities the Applicant should submit for the Final Planning
Assessment.

GSB records & publishes in GBI

Register
GBIAP and LAM issue GBI
Township Certificate to Applicant

*LAM = Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia

Upon completion of all the key sustainable strategies and criteria the
Applicant should submit for Completion and Verification Assessment
(CVA). The GBI award will be issued by the GBIAP upon completion of
the CVA Assessment.

APPLICATION OF THE TOWNSHIP FRAMEWORK

The framework can be used by a broad range of stakeholders; from central and local government agencies to
architects, town planners, urban designers, contractors and developers.
The six core categories can be applied to all levels of township creation, management, operation and governance. The
following are some possible areas of application and impact.
STAGES

POTENTIAL USERS

APPLICATION

EXPECTED RESULTS

Policy

Federal and Local

Government Agencies

Framework used to inform the drafting of strategies

and policies for development.

Resulting in policies that promote the

delivery of best practice sustainable
townships.

Planning

Local Government
Planning Officers

Framework used to assess the sustainability of a

potential township at the planning application stage.

Ensuring that developers have addressed

key sustainability issues, including those
specific to the local area.

Finance

Federal Government

Framework used as part of funding criteria for

projects to ensure they deliver on the Governments
Green Technology Policy targets.

Investment in projects that assist Malaysia

meet key sustainability targets such as the
reduction of carbon emissions.

Construction

Developers and
Contractors

Framework used to identify skilled professionals and

can be applied into the tendering process.

Ensures that delivery professionals are

trained and capable of building sustainable
townships.

Regeneration

Private and Public

Partnerships

Framework used to highlight areas within an existing

township that need to be improved or addressed.

Enables existing township areas to be

addressed and have additional sustainability
measures introduced.
11

SUSTAINABLE LIVING TIPS

Energy

Transport

Waste

Water

Lifestyle

Environment

HOW CAN I HELP?

Why does it matter?

Turn off the lights, air-conditioning and television and reduce unnecessary
electrical use.
Try alternative Green renewable energy for some or all of your electricity.
Use energy-efficient lighting appliances and hot water services.
Use fans, openable windows for cross ventilation, insulation and sunshading devices to cool your homes.

Our energy use is often wasteful and can impact the

environment through green house emissions that
contribute to climate change. Sourcing for increasingly
depleting natural resources also leads to further
damage to sensitive environments.

Walk, cycle or use public transport where possible.

If you use a car, try to car pool with friends or co-workers.
Optimise car use activities to reduce your car trips.
Consider the option to live, learn work and play within the community or
locality of your home.
Consider buying a fuel efficient car and service it regularly.
Consider living in an area that has public transport options.

Improving the way we go about our daily lives can

reduce fuel use, which decreases pollution like smog
and green house gas emissions, while reducing
household costs and saving time.

Avoid excess packaging and use a reusable bag when shopping.

Recycle packaging and bags.
Donate unwanted items to charities.
Use compost systems or worm farms for food scraps and garden wastes.
Correctly dispose of household hazardous wastes and batteries.
Do not litter or discharge wastes into the waterways and surroundings.

Avoiding waste where possible, encouraging reuse,

recycling and proper waste disposal are all ways to
reduce the communitys impact on the environment.
Proper disposal also helps keep our surroundings
clean, healthy and beautiful.

Reduce wasteful water use, i.e. have shorter showers, self-closing taps.
Fix faulty plumbing and install water-wise showers and taps.
Consider changing to low-water-use appliances such as washing machines
and toilets.
Grow a water-wise garden.
Consider installing a rainwater tank for watering the garden or external
cleaning purposes.
Dont throw rubbish into drains and waterways.
Implement soil erosion and proper drainage to areas where earth has
been disturbed to prevent siltation of waterways.
Preserve and maintain natural water courses and catchment areas.

Waste-free and wise water use helps maintain

adequate fresh water resources for the community and
the environment.

Change to a healthier diet and lifestyle.

Exercise regularly or play a sport.
Get to know your neighbours and help keep your community safe.
Visit your health practitioner for regular check-ups.
Think about sustainability when purchasing or improving your home.
When you can, buy locally and purchase locally made goods and produce.
Further learning and developing new skills are great ways to challenge
yourself and meet other people.

Good community health, more sustainable green

rated buildings and homes, and a more supportive
society can contribute to the communitys health and
sustainability.

Join in litter cleanup activities

Report any illegal dumping or open burning
Report any illegal logging, mining or destruction of the natural
environment
Enjoy the natural environment and recreational areas through healthy
activities such as walking, jogging, hiking, climbing, boating, swimming,
snorkeling and diving
Be responsible to preserve local flora and fauna

A healthy sustainable environment creates and allows

its communities to recreate in it. It is an important
heritage to be kept for future generations.

IS SUPPORTED BY

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