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KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 28): Certified green building developments in Malaysia rose 25% last year, with high-rise residential, logistics, and industrial projects driving demand, signaling steady growth in the adoption of sustainable building practices.
GreenRE Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Seri FD Iskandar said that many developers and contractors now recognise these benefits, and buyers of green-certified properties also benefit from better financing rates.
“With support from buyers, developers, contractors, financial institutions, and regulators, we expect to see wider adoption of green building practices.
“Last year, we recorded a 25% increase in certified developments compared to the year before. If that trend continues, with a similar 20% to 25% increase, it shows that Malaysia is moving in the right direction, with more buildings and construction sites pursuing certification,” he told EdgeProp here on Tuesday at the GreenRE and Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd signing ceremony to co-organise the International Sustainability Week (ISW) 2026.
“At this point, the strongest sectors [seeking green certification] remain high-rise residential, industrial developments, logistics facilities, and warehouses,” he said.
Iskandar also explained that in the southern region, particularly Johor, demand for certification for industrial developments is picking up, with many data centres planned there.
“There is interest in data centres, with several projects registered with us, but physical construction has not yet begun. Certification typically takes place once construction is underway.
“That said, we have yet to see significant uptake in data centre certifications as most projects are still in the planning or early construction stages,” he said.
ISW 2026 facilitates discussion to solution
ISW 2026 is scheduled on Sept 10–11 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) here. It is intended as a national platform with regional relevance to advance sustainability in the built environment and urban developments.
Themed “From Certification to Transformation: Building a Net Zero Future Together”, the event will bring together policymakers, developers, architects, engineers, planners, and city authorities from Malaysia and abroad to discuss implementation, performance measurement, and industry readiness, anchored by recognised standards and certifications, including GreenRE certification.
The programme will include two main components. The International Green Build Conference (IGBC) will discuss ESG (environmental, social, and governance) requirements, policy alignment, and the challenges of applying green standards in buildings and urban developments.
Meanwhile, GreenScape will feature the International Green Innovation Exhibition to showcase certified and certification-ready technologies, solutions, and projects across the built environment. It will highlight practical tools and approaches for sustainable development.
Iskandar said this integration creates a stronger “ideas-to-solutions” pathway, where the conference discussions are immediately connected to practical technologies, services, and innovations on the exhibition floor. This also enables partnerships to form with greater speed and confidence.
“GreenRE’s role is to ensure that the conversations, innovations, and solutions presented are grounded in recognised standards and real project experience so that sustainability discussions are anchored in outcomes the industry can trust.
“For GreenRE, ISW 2026 is therefore an opportunity to strengthen confidence for developers making long-term investments, for financiers assessing risk and value, and for policymakers seeking reliable pathways to achieve national sustainability goals,” he said.
He stated that with GreenRE co-organising ISW 2026, the platform plays a key role in pushing green adoption beyond compliance, and into mainstream development.
“Initially, green building certification was largely driven by regulatory requirements, but today, there is much stronger buy-in from developers, banks, and financial institutions.
“There is often a perception that green buildings cost more. [However,] while upfront costs may be slightly higher, the long-term savings are significant,” Iskandar said.
Meanwhile, Qube Integrated executive chairman Richard Teo said that the organisers are targeting between 5,000 and 10,000 trade visitors to the exhibition, with participation from around 150 companies.
“We hope to achieve this target, and potentially exceed it, with the support of all stakeholders,” he said.
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