Latest news with #Go25
New Paper
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Paper
People working in air-conditioned spaces prefer 24 deg C and warmer: Poll
While many commercial buildings in Singapore are cooled to between 21 deg C and 22 deg C, a survey of 5,000 respondents commissioned by the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) found that more than half of the respondents preferred maintaining indoor temperatures at 24 deg C or warmer. The results of the survey - dubbed the Indoor Comfort Quiz - were revealed on July 9 at the International Green Building Conference 2025 at Raffles City Convention Centre, in a summary report titled Go 25 Indoor Comfort Snapshot. The report surveyed individuals working in air-conditioned environments across various industries and offers data-driven insights to help business owners, building managers and workplace experience teams make informed decisions about temperature settings in commercial spaces. Its goal is to encourage the adoption of sustainable cooling measures without compromising comfort levels. These measures include adopting hybrid cooling alternatives, such as setting the air-conditioning at 25 deg C and coupling it with ceiling fans, as well as encouraging employees to dress lightly. This comes as Singapore rolled out the Go 25 movement in May, which encourages residents to set the indoor air-conditioning temperature in their homes, offices and buildings to 25 deg C. The campaign is an initiative housed under Go Green SG 2025. According to SGBC president Allen Ang, buildings account for more than 20 per cent of Singapore's carbon emissions, with air-conditioning being a key contributor to building energy consumption. SGBC also noted that the overcooling in commercial buildings here accounts for as much as 50 per cent of the total energy required for cooling. This results in unnecessary energy usage and contributes to environmental impact. Overcooling refers to the cooling of interiors with air-conditioning beyond the comfort range. This, in turn, creates a vicious circle where hotter cities demand more cooling, which generates more emissions and heat, further raising ambient temperatures. The quiz consisted of five multiple-choice questions on personal air-conditioning habits and preferences, such as preferred temperature settings and how respondents would respond if it became too cold. It was built upon earlier research that found 25 deg C to be the ideal temperature for balancing human comfort and energy efficiency. One such study, commissioned by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and SGBC, was conducted between January and April by Ngee Ann Polytechnic's (NP) Centre for Environmental Sustainability. The study showed energy savings of up to 12 per cent for each degree raised in air-conditioning temperature from 23 deg C to 25 deg C in offices, with no reported increase in occupant discomfort. Questions in the quiz, adapted from established thermal comfort research globally, were packaged as a personality quiz, where respondents received one of six personality profiles with Singaporean food themes. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, who opened the conference, said: "When the air-con temperature is increased above 25 deg C and combined with hybrid cooling methods like fans, it can feel as cool as 23 deg C - while using much less energy." Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu speaking at the International Green Building Conference 2025 on July 9. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Referencing the study done by NP, she noted that raising the air-conditioning temperature to 24 deg C or 25 deg C in a typical 3,000 sq m office - about the size of 30 four-room Housing Board flats - can achieve annual savings of around $6,400 in electricity costs. In addition to air-conditioning temperatures, the state of the building infrastructure and the need for upgrading outdated air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems also play important roles in achieving sustainable cooling. In a dialogue with SGBC chief executive Yvonne Soh at the conference, Ms Fu highlighted issues caused by improper installation of ventilation systems. These create uneven airflow in air-conditioned areas, leaving some spaces stuffy. To address the lack of air circulation, building owners resort to lowering the temperature, which then leads to individuals working near the air-con feeling excessively cold. Another resource, the Go 25 Industry Guide For Building Operations, was also introduced at the conference. This industry guide provides a detailed overview of actionable strategies that support building managers, engineers and operators in implementing the Go 25 initiative. It draws on industry data and best practices to offer recommendations for increasing indoor temperatures in air-conditioned environments without compromising comfort or productivity. Some of these recommendations include ensuring proper placement of air vents and encouraging employees to dress comfortably for work. The Go 25 Industry Guide is designed to assist managers of smaller buildings who may lack the knowledge or expertise to carry out the required adjustments. It provides them with the background, outlines the benefits and includes a checklist to guide them through a phased implementation, SGBC said. "Rethinking the way we cool our spaces isn't just a good-to-have, it's essential for meeting our climate goals... With these tools, we are empowering every stakeholder in the built environment to take meaningful, measurable steps towards a low-carbon future," SGBC's Mr Ang said.
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
People working in air-conditioned spaces prefer 24 deg C and warmer: Survey
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu speaking at the International Green Building Conference 2025 on July 9. SINGAPORE – While many commercial buildings in Singapore are cooled to between 21 and 22 deg C, a survey of 5,000 respondents commissioned by the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) found that more than half of the respondents expressed a preference for maintaining indoor temperatures at 24 deg C or warmer. The results of the survey – dubbed the Indoor Comfort Quiz – were revealed on July 9 at the International Green Building Conference 2025 at Raffles City Convention Centre in a summary report titled Go 25 Indoor Comfort Snapshot. The report surveyed individuals working in air-conditioned environments across various industries , and offers data-driven insights to help business owners, building managers, and workplace experience teams make informed decisions about temperature settings in commercial spaces. Its goal is to encourage the adoption of sustainable cooling measures without compromising comfort levels . These measures include adopting hybrid cooling alternatives, like setting the air-conditioning at 25 deg C and coupling it with ceiling fans, as well as encouraging employees to dress light . This comes as Singapore rolled out the Go 25 movement in May 2025 , which encourages Singapore residents to set the indoor air-conditioning temperature in their homes and offices and buildings at 25 deg C. The campaign is an initiative housed under Go Green SG 2025. According to SGBC president Allen Ang, buildings account for more than 20 per cent of Singapore's carbon emissions, with air-conditioning being a key contributor to building energy consumption. SGBC also noted that the overcooling in commercial buildings here accounts for as much as 50 per cent of the total energy required for cooling. This results in unnecessary energy usage and contributes to environmental impact. Overcooling refers to the cooling of interiors with air-conditioning beyond the comfort range. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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The quiz consisted of five multiple -choice questions on personal air-conditioning habits and preferences, such as their preferred temperature settings and how they would respond if it became too cold . It was built upon earlier research that found 25 deg C as the ideal temperature for balancing human comfort and energy efficiency. One such research was commissioned by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and SGBC, and was conducted between January and April 2025 by Ngee Ann Polytechnic's (NP) Centre for Environmental Sustainability. The study showed energy savings of up to 12 percent for each degree raised in air-conditioning temperature from 23 deg C to 25 deg C in offices, with no reported increase in occupant discomfort. Questions in the quiz, adapted from established thermal comfort research globally, were packaged as a personality quiz , where respondents received one of six personality profiles with Singaporean food themes. 'When the air-con temperature is increased above 25 deg C and combined with hybrid cooling methods like fans, it can feel as cool as 23 deg C – while using much less energy,' said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, who opened the conference. Referencing the study done by NP , she noted that raising the air-conditioning temperature to 24 or 25 deg C in a typical 3,000 sq m office – about the size of 30 four-room HDB flats – can achieve annual savings of around $6,400 in electricity costs . In addition to air-conditioning temperatures, the state of the building infrastructure and necessity for upgrading outdated air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems also play important roles in achieving sustainable cooling. In a dialogue with SGBC chief executive officer Yvonne Soh at the conference, Ms Fu highlighted issues caused by improper installation of ventilation systems. These create uneven airflow in air-conditioned areas, leaving some spaces stuffy. To address the lack of air circulation, building owners resort to lowering the temperature, which then leads to individuals working near the air-con feeling excessively cold. Another resource, the Go 25 Industry Guide for Building Operations, was also introduced at the conference. This industry guide provides a detailed overview of actionable strategies that support building managers, engineers and operators in implementing the Go 25 initiative. It draws on industry data and best practices to offer recommendations for increasing indoor temperatures in air-conditioned environments without compromising comfort or productivity. Some of these recommendations include ensuring proper placement of air vents, and encouraging employees to dress comfortably for work. The Go 25 Industry Guide is designed to assist managers of smaller buildings who may lack the knowledge or expertise to carry out the required adjustments. It provides them with the background, outlines the benefits, and includes a checklist t o guide them through a phased implementation, SGBC said. 'Rethinking the way we cool out spaces isn't just a good-to-have, it's essential for meeting our climate goals... With these tools, we are empowering every stakeholder in the built environment to take meaningful, measurable steps toward a low-carbon future,' SGBC's Mr Ang said.
AsiaOne
17-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
New campaign to urge S'pore home, business, building owners to set air-cons at 25 deg C, Singapore News
SINGAPORE — A new campaign to urge home, business and building owners to turn up their thermostats was launched on May 16. Called the Go 25 movement, it encourages Singapore residents to set the indoor air-conditioning temperature in their homes, offices and buildings at 25 deg C. The campaign is an initiative housed under Go Green SG 2025. According to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), buildings account for more than 20 per cent of Singapore's carbon emissions, and air-conditioning is a key contributor to building energy consumption. This in turn creates a vicious circle where hotter cities demand more cooling, which generates more emissions and heat, further raising ambient temperatures, said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE). BCA also noted that approximately 60 per cent of electricity consumption in non-residential buildings is attributed to cooling systems, with mechanical ventilation accounting for an additional 10 per cent. Overcooling — which happens when spaces are cooled with air-conditioning beyond the comfort range — increases electricity usage, accelerates climate change and exacerbates the urban heat island effect. The urban heat island effect occurs when densely built areas experience higher air temperatures than undeveloped rural areas. "Achieving our climate goals requires the collective efforts of everyone. Each of us has a personal responsibility to protect and steward our shared environment, for ourselves as well as our future generations," said Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor at the launch of Go Green SG 2025 on May 16 at Changkat Primary School. The launch of the third edition of Go Green SG — a month-long campaign packed with activities for the public, schools and organisations to participate in — was attended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam interacting with (from left) Changkat Primary School pupils Khayra Nyla Khairil Nizam, Foo Jun An and Srikaarthika Chidambaram, who helped draw some of the characters in SG60 Go Green SG storybook. PHOTO: The Straits Times Running till June 29, the campaign aims to rally the public to make Singapore a green, liveable and climate-resilient nation. Led by the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) and MSE, and supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and BCA, the Go 25 movement has three key initiatives: A pledge, a personality quiz and an industry guide. The pledge encourages building owners, businesses and organisations to commit to sustainable cooling, which also includes the provision of cooling alternatives like fans, and encouraging relaxed dress codes among tenants and occupants. A downloadable toolkit that includes poster templates, social media assets and information sheets is available for pledge-takers to encourage stakeholders and others to "Go 25" as well. An online personality quiz titled Go 25 Indoor Comfort Quiz was also created to teach users about their ideal temperature profile and the benefits of higher indoor temperatures. The insights gathered will be consolidated into a report that will be published in June. The report will outline the average temperature preference of Singapore residents, basic energy savings potentials, and quick actions for business owners and building managers to refer to. Changkat Primary School's Eco Hub during the launch of Go Green SG 2025 on May 16. PHOTO: The Straits Times The toolkit and quiz can be accessed at Finally, an industry guide developed by SGBC and BCA on how to raise indoor ambient temperature while maintaining occupant comfort will be published in the third quarter of 2025. Baey hopes that with more than 95 per cent of government buildings already adopting Go 25, the Government will be able to set an example for businesses and organisations across Singapore. A study by Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Centre for Environmental Sustainability found that every degree raised in air-conditioning temperature, between 23 dec C and 25 deg C, yielded up to 12 per cent in cooling energy reduction, with no reported increase in occupant discomfort. The study was commissioned by MSE and SGBC, and conducted between January and April. NEA data also found that for every degree raised by households, approximately $13 of savings could be achieved every year. "Building owners and businesses can... supplement air-conditioning with hybrid cooling solutions such as ceiling fans, and engage their tenants and occupants on sustainable cooling," Dr Khor said. "We can also dress light when going to air-conditioned places such as shopping malls, opt for fans over air-conditioning at home, and encourage our family and friends to do the same." The Go Green SG launch event featured booths by SGBC and CapitaLand on their energy-saving and green building initiatives, as well as booths by NEA, PUB and the Singapore Food Agency. Through sustainability challenges organised by CapitaLand, small start-ups and entrepreneurs were able to pitch and develop sustainable technologies that could be implemented in building construction and improvement. An example is Magorium, a home-grown brand that repurposes plastic waste into bitumen, which is used to pave roads. According to Ted Howland, CapitaLand Investment vice-president of group sustainability, Magorium has used plastic waste from CapitaLand malls including Raffles City Shopping Centre and Plaza Singapura in the making of its bitumen. CapitaLand will also be using this bitumen to pave the roads of its upcoming showflats and development projects. "Each of these solutions represents one small but very important step that accumulates and brings us to reaching our 2030 sustainability masterplan targets. It's not about finding that one silver bullet to solve everything, because we don't believe there's one of those," he said. The statutory boards under MSE also organised booths to educate students on their respective histories and milestones in establishing a more sustainable and environmentally conscious Singapore. President Tharman launched Changkat Primary School's newly constructed Eco Hub, which offers pupils a space to learn about sustainability concepts such as circular economy, food security, and biodiversity through experiential learning. The highlight of the interactive space is a wormery. Piloted in 2024, the wormery is looked after by Primary Five and Eco Club pupils who add food scraps collected from the school canteen twice a week to compost boxes. They water the compost mix daily to ensure the composting worms — African nightcrawlers — remain healthy. After four weeks, the vermicompost is ready for use in the school garden. (From left) Changkat Primary School pupils Khayra Nyla Khairil Nizam, Foo Jun An and Srikaarthika Chidambaram helped draw some of the characters in the newly unveiled SG60 Go Green SG e-comic book. PHOTO: The Straits Times A commemorative SG60 Go Green SG e-comic book featuring characters that three pupils of the school helped draw was also unveiled. The book, which traces the Republic's environmental journey over the past 60 years, teaches students how they can keep waterways clean, reduce waste and support local produce. The books will be distributed to all primary and secondary school children from May 16. Organised by MSE, together with some 400 partners, Go Green SG 2025 will feature more than 900 activities, with programmes released gradually over the month. Some of these activities include guided ferry tours of the Southern Islands and a mushroom cultivation workshop. Online registration for Go Green SG 2025 activities opened on May 12. The public can visit to check out the activities currently available. ALSO READ: Mean and green: We take a closer look at the Traffic Police's first electric patrol car This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Go 25 movement to spur sustainable cooling launched in tandem with Go Green SG 2025
Senior Minister for State Amy Khor speaking during the launch of Go Green SG 2025 on May 16. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Go 25 movement to spur sustainable cooling launched in tandem with Go Green SG 2025 SINGAPORE - A new campaign to urge businesses and building owners to turn up their thermostats was launched on May 16. Called the Go 25 movement, it encourages Singapore residents to set the indoor air-conditioning temperature in their homes, offices and buildings at 25 deg C. The campaign is an initiative housed under Go Green SG 2025. According to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), buildings account for over 20 per cent of Singapore's carbon emissions, and air-conditioning is a key contributor to building energy consumption. This, in turn, creates a vicious circle , where hotter cities demand more cooling, which generates more emissions and heat, further raising ambient temperatures, said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE). BCA also noted that approximately 60 per cent of electricity consumption in non-residential buildings is attributed to cooling systems, with mechanical ventilation accounting for an additional 10 per cent. Overcooling – which happens when spaces are cooled with air-conditioning beyond comfort range – increases electricity usage, accelerates climate change and exacerbates the urban heat island effect. The urban heat island effect occurs when densely built areas experience higher air temperatures than undeveloped rural areas. 'Achieving our climate goals requires the collective efforts of everyone. Each of us has a personal responsibility to protect and steward our shared environment, for ourselves as well as our future generations,' said Senior Minister for State Amy Khor at the launch of Go Green SG 2025 on May 16 at Changkat Primary School. The launch of the third edition of Go Green SG – a month-long campaign packed with activities for the public, schools and organisations to participate in – was attended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam interacting with students who helped with the illustration of SG60 Go Green SG storybook on May 16. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Running till June 19, the campaign aims to rally the populace to make Singapore a green, liveable and climate-resilient nation. Led by the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) and MSE, and supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and BCA, the Go 25 movement is mapped out into three key initiatives: a pledge, a personality quiz and an industry guide. The pledge encourages building owners, businesses and organisations to commit to sustainable cooling, which also includes the provision of cooling alternatives like fans, and encouraging relaxed dress codes among tenants and occupants. A downloadable toolkit that includes poster templates, social media assets and information sheets is also available for pledgers to encourage stakeholders and other potential pledgees to 'Go 25' as well. An online personality quiz titled 'Go 25 Indoor Comfort Quiz' was also created to teach users about their ideal temperature profile and the benefits of higher indoor temperatures. The insights gathered will be consolidated into a report that will be published in June. The report will outline the average temperature preference of Singapore residents, basic energy savings potential, and quick actions for business owners and building managers to reference in their operations. Changkat Primary School's Eco Hub during the launch of Go Green SG 2025 on May 16. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI The toolkit and quiz can be accessed at Finally, a guide developed by SGBC and BCA will be published in the third quarter of 2025, which will serve as a technical guide for the processes and considerations needed when raising indoor ambient temperature while maintaining occupant comfort. Mr Baey hopes that with more than 95 per cent of government buildings already adopting Go 25, the Government will be able to set an example for businesses and organisations across Singapore. A study by Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Centre for Environmental Sustainability found that every degree raised in air-conditioning temperature, between 23 and 25 deg C, yielded up to 12 per cent of cooling energy reduction, with no reported increase in occupant discomfort. The study was commissioned by MSE and SGBC and was conducted between January and April. NEA data also found that for every degree raised, approximately $13 of savings could be achieved every year. 'Building owners and businesses can... supplement air-conditioning with hybrid cooling solutions, such as ceiling fans, and engage their tenants and occupants on sustainable cooling. We can also dress light when going to air-conditioned places such as shopping malls, opt for fans over air-conditioning at home, and encourage our family and friends to do the same,' Dr Khor said. The Go Green SG launch event featured booths by SGBC and CapitaLand on their energy saving and green building initiatives, as well as booths by NEA, PUB, and the Singapore Food Agency. Through sustainability challenges organised by CapitaLand, small start-ups and entrepreneurs were able to pitch and develop sustainable technologies that could be implemented in building construction and improvement. An example is Magorium, a home-grown brand that repurposes plastic waste into bitumen, which is used to pave roads. According to Mr Ted Howland, CapitaLand Investment vice-president of group sustainability, Magorium has used plastic waste from CapitaLand malls including Raffles City Shopping Centre and Plaza Singapura in the making of its bitumen. CapitaLand will also be using this bitumen to pave the roads of its upcoming show-flats and development projects. 'Each of these solutions represents one small but very important step that accumulates and brings us to reaching our 2030 sustainability masterplan targets. It's not about finding that one silver bullet to solve everything, because we don't believe there's one of those,' he said. The statutory boards under MSE also organised booths to educate students on the boards' respective histories and milestones in establishing a more sustainable and environmentally conscious Singapore today. President Tharman launched Changkat Primary School's newly constructed Eco Hub , which offers pupils a space to learn about sustainability concepts such as circular economy, food security and biodiversity through experiential learning. The highlight of the interactive space is a wormery. Piloted in 2024, the wormery is looked after by Primary 5 and Eco Club pupils who add food scraps collected from the school canteen twice a week to the compost boxes. They also water the compost mix daily to ensure the composting worms – African nightcrawlers – remain healthy. After four weeks, the vermicompost is ready for use in the school garden. (From left) Upper primary pupils Khayra Nyla Khairil Nizam, Foo Jun An and Srikaarthika Chidambaram illustrated some of the characters in the newly unveiled SG60 Go Green SG e-comic book. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI A commemorative SG60 Go Green SG e-comic book featuring characters illustrated by three pupils of the school was also unveiled. The book, which traces the Republic's environmental journey over the past 60 years, educates students on what they can do to keep waterways clean, reduce waste and support local produce. The books will be distributed to all primary and secondary school students from May 16. Organised by MSE , together with some 400 partners, Go Green SG 2025 will feature more than 900 activities, with programmes released gradually over the month. Some of these activities include guided ferry tours of the Southern Islands and a mushroom cultivation workshop. Online registration for Go Green SG 2025 activities opened on May 12. The public can visit to check out the activities currently available. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
