In view of the ongoing energy and climate crisis, movements on taking the thermostat reading one degree down have begun, with nations like Singapore banning the supply of high-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants and advocating setting cooling systems to temperatures no lower than 25 degrees Celsius.
Southeast Asia's commercial construction sector is experiencing rapid growth, with a projected 2.5% increase in 2023, reaching a value of US$450.1 billion. Simultaneously, the demand for infrastructure in Asia is anticipated to surge, reaching a forecasted US$1.7 trillion by 2030. However, despite the substantial economic advantage, the sector is a substantial contributor to waste, responsible for 35% of the world's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The continuous rise in construction activities will pose a heightened threat to global warming and potentially contribute to extreme weather events. In 2023, the region experienced a record-breaking heat wave, which has inevitably increased air conditioning usage, causing further energy consumption and GHG emissions.
