Attaining points for certification of green building through choice of paint

Abstract

Scientists predict that anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions will raise global temperatures by 2 °C this century. More importantly, buildings account for a significant proportion of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, the concept of green building is currently considered one of the best strategies for addressing the challenges of global climate change and energy efficiency. Green building technologies can be integrated into existing technologies to ensure substantial reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The Malaysian Green Building Index (GBI) is a novel rating initiative designed to assess buildings using six criteria (with a total of 100 points) required to attain certification. This study presents an analytical case study of Nippon Paint in Selangor, Malaysia with a range of green products using GBI criteria for Non-Residential New Construction buildings (NRNC). The results demonstrate that by considering the choice of paint of the built form, 12 points could be earned by a building, cutting across the six criteria of the GBI rating. Therefore, the use of green materials in buildings rated under the index can contribute to substantial reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions.