CapitaLand Reduces Electricity and Water Consumption

This is a news release from CapitaLand.

Singapore, 14 January 2009 – CapitaLand’s Group-wide initiatives to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle have paid off. In the first 11 months of 2008, the Group reduced electricity and water consumption in 23 retail malls, office buildings and serviced residences in Singapore by 4% and 5% respectively compared to the same period in 2007, after adjustments for human traffic and occupancy rate. This is equivalent to about S$1.5 million based on current utility costs. The electricity saved can power 12,500 five-room HDB flats for one month while the water saved can fill 24 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

As part of CapitaLand’s ISO 14000 certification for its group-wide Environmental Management System (EMS), the Group set targets to reduce electricity and water consumption for the properties it manages. For 2008, the target was to reduce consumption by 2% compared to 2007, which has been achieved. For this year, CapitaLand has raised the bar, targeting to reduce electricity and water consumption in about 150 Singapore and overseas properties by 3% and avoiding between S$3 million and S$4 million in utility costs.

Last year, CapitaLand extended ISO 14000 certification for its EMS to the Group’s operations overseas. The EMS was first established in Singapore to ensure that environmental practices are implemented consistently across the Group for development and management of properties. ISO 14000 certification was obtained for Singapore in 2007, and for China and Vietnam in 2008. This makes the certification one of the most comprehensive for any Singapore real estate company.

Mr Liew Mun Leong, President and CEO of CapitaLand Group, said: “Going green is a natural extension of CapitaLand’s credo of “Building People”. Creating an environmentally-aware mindset throughout the company and implementing various green initiatives to reduce, reuse and recycle have enabled us to surpass our 2008 targets. Many of CapitaLand’s properties already have green ratings and are energy and water-efficient. It is thus significant that we are still able to further reduce consumption.”

How We Reduced Electricity and Water Consumption

CapitaLand adopts a holistic approach to managing its environmental footprint, covering the development and management of CapitaLand projects and properties as well as its own office operations. For example, the electricity and water usage, and waste generation of all CapitaLand properties are monitored through an online CapitaLand Environmental Tracking System. The system currently tracks about 150 of the Group’s properties in 60 cities worldwide.

To reduce electricity and water usage in its properties, CapitaLand carries out regular maintenance and periodic upgrading of facilities to ensure efficient operations and to minimise electricity or water wastage. The Group also implements conservation measures such as using motion sensors for travellators, escalators, lights and taps, shutting down some lifts after office hours and using water saving devices such as thimbles in taps.

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