(b) Green Mark Scheme

1. Contracts signed by two or more
countries / countries around the
world to work together to deal with
climate change
Policies implemented by individual
countries to reduce the country’s
greenhouse gas emissions
(1) International Agreements (2) National Responses
Responses to Climate Change
Goal:
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Case study: Kyoto Protocol Case study: Singapore
(a) Successes
(b) Limitations
(a) Singapore Green Plan 2012
(b) Green Mark Scheme
(c) Plant-A-Tree Programme

2. National Response – Singapore
(b) Green Mark Scheme
Launched by the Building Construction Authority
(BCA) in 2005, the Green Mark Scheme aims to
encourage the construction of more new ‘green’
buildings.
‘Green’ buildings are more energy-efficient and
environmentally friendly.
The building could run partly on solar energy to meet
its electricity needs.
This would reduce the amount of fossil fuels burnt to
produce electricity, leading to the decrease in CO2
emissions.

3. National Response – Singapore
(b) Green Mark Scheme
For example, in the National
Library building, light shelves
are extended into library
space to reflect sunlight into
the building.
This optimizes daylight and
reduces the use of artificial
lighting.
This results in less electricity
used and less fossil fuels
burnt.

4. National Response – Singapore
(b) Green Mark Scheme
Has this been effective?
Effectiveness Challenges / Limitations
 Under the Green Mark
scheme, existing ‘green’
buildings reported
energy savings of
15-35% compared to
conventional buildings.
 These energy savings
help to cut down
greenhouse gas
emissions by reducing
the amount of fossil
fuels burnt to generate
electricity.
 However, construction companies and
developers in Singapore tend to be
conservative about adopting new ideas
and materials to build ‘green’ buildings.
 Also, ‘green’ buildings may cost more to
build because ‘green’ materials (e.g.
bamboo or recycled metal) may be more
expensive.
 As such, if companies continue to build
conventional buildings instead of ‘green’
buildings, the reduction in greenhouse gas
emission will be limited as conventional
buildings continue to use fossil fuels to
generate electricity.