Stephen Smith

As Singapore accelerates its sustainability ambitions, the built environment remains one of the greatest opportunities for carbon reduction. Singapore’s tropical climate has led to widespread reliance on air conditioning, with the nation having the highest per capita installation rate of air-conditioning units among ASEAN countries. This extensive use contributes significantly to both energy consumption and carbon emissions.

In this presentation, we will explore why smarter, more practical construction and insulation choices are essential for slashing emissions – both operational and embodied carbon – without compromising performance, cost, or feasibility.

We begin by comparing uninsulated vs. insulated buildings, revealing the significant operational carbon savings that insulation can unlock in Singapore’s hot and humid climate. Next, we shift the focus to the often-overlooked embodied carbon of construction materials, demonstrating how different material choices influence a building’s overall carbon footprint by evaluating three key building approaches:

1. Concrete with traditional insulation methods
2. Concrete with low-carbon insulation
3. Lightweight construction with low-carbon insulation

The session demonstrates the real-world carbon impact of building design and material selection – and why Singapore must rethink traditional construction methods to meet its long-term climate goals. It also provides a data-driven, actionable roadmap for architects, developers, and policymakers, revealing findings from a brand-new study on Singapore’s building stock. The study provides fresh insights into the potential carbon savings achievable through different insulation and construction choices, offering practical, scalable solutions that can be implemented immediately to reduce emissions. The future of sustainable construction hinges on making smarter, strategic choices that provide both environmental and economic benefits.