SYNOPSIS

The need for sustainable development in the built industry is a done deal and nature has an ‘erratic’ way of reminding us lest we contemplate otherwise. Our green journey ahead will be fraught with man-made obstacles both at global and local levels. The challenges are aplenty but the end goal is certainly worthwhile for the human race.

It is inevitable for engineers to be at the fore front of this survival war, after-all we gave mankind the Industrial Revolution. Energy Efficiency can be deemed to be the prelude to Sustainability, and locally we did not fare too tardily having developed our MS1525 in 2001. It is only unfortunate that our infamous bureaucracy delayed the incorporation of MS1525 into our UBBL until late 2012. This paper will serve to remind us that to realize the Sustainable (Green) agenda there is need for a holistic design approach by all relevant players in the industry.


Speaker’s Biodata

Ir. TL Chen is a practising Mechanical Engineer with over 35 years’ experience in the Building Services Industry, and was a co-author of all 3 editions of MS 1525 since 2001. He is an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer and lectures regularly on Energy Efficiency and Sustainability globally. In 2009, he lead the development of Malaysia’s own Green Building Index rating system, which has gained international recognition and garnered government support in the form of Green Cost tax incentives (recently extended to 2020).

Chen has served as President of the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM); the Institution of Fire Engineers Malaysia (IFEM); ASHRAE Malaysia Chapter; and the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation. He also serves as Advisor to the Malaysian Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Association (MACRA) since its inception.

In recognition of his contribution to the engineering fraternity, he was honoured with the ACEM Gold Medal Award in 2010.