In line with the World Green Building Council's (WorldGBC) initiative to ensure all new buildings operate at net zero carbon by 2030 and all existing buildings are renovated to operate at net zero carbon by 2050, the Ecoloft residential complex in Jakarta has been awarded the EDGE Zero Carbon Certificate. With 82% energy savings in comparison to an average local building, as well as at least 31% savings in water and 47% embodied energy in materials, the Ecoloft residential complex is the first zero carbon building in Indonesia with EDGE certification.
EDGE is a green building certification system established by the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, focused on making buildings more resource efficient. The zero carbon certification is awarded to a building for achieving carbon neutrality in operations on an annual basis. It is the highest internationally recognized EDGE green building standard. An EDGE Zero Carbon building must be awarded final certification at the EDGE advanced level with at least 40% energy savings and satisfy all its remaining energy needs with renewable energy sources or purchase carbon offsets to achieve carbon neutrality during operations.
The zero carbon standard of the Ecoloft residential complex in Jakarta has been reached through a variety of environmentally friendly solutions such as: solar-thermal water heating, photovoltaic panels, thermal-insulated facades, filter system for drinkable tap water, rainwater infiltration, and most importantly usage of efficient and low embodied energy building materials which comply with EDGE standards. The Asia Green Real Estate Ecoloft residential complex has a chance of being echoed in shaping the future of green buildings in Indonesia.
According to the WorldGBC report, buildings are responsible for 39% of global energy related CO2 emissions: 28% from operational emissions, from energy needed to heat, cool and power them, and the remaining 11% from materials and construction. Guided by the Net Zero Carbon Buildings initiative, joint efforts to reduce the CO2 emissions in the building sector are necessary to restore the earth's carbon cycle and limit global warming below 2 degrees. Building more energy-efficient properties, limiting the transportation time and switching to clean energy are important steps on the way towards achieving these goals. At the same time, green buildings deliver higher returns to investors and reduce the health and environmental cost for society. With the growing climate concern and numerous regulations imposed on the construction sector, they can also mitigate the policy risks.