01 Dec 2023
Building a blueprint to greening our real estate footprint
This article looks back at the conversations at Sustainability Expo 2023 in Bangkok and how Frasers Property is charting its sustainability journey with like-minded stakeholders.
Partnerships remain a key enabler of Frasers Property’s progress on our sustainability journey. This includes advancing conversations around sustainable development, and the sharing of knowledge and best practices.
We joined forces with like-minded companies to co-found the Sustainability Expo in Thailand, ASEAN’s largest sustainability convention, and were again part of its fourth instalment in 2023.
The convention serves as a collaborative platform for leading organisations from various sectors to exchange insights on global green market trends and innovations to drive sustainability and build a better future.
At SX2023, our executives shared on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy and delved into our initiatives to create value in the communities where we operate.
Innovations that cut emissions
In line with SX2023’s theme ‘GoodBalance, Better World’, we are constantly innovating to create new paradigms of urban living and promote smart city living, said Panote Sirivadhanabhakdi, Group CEO of Frasers Property Limited, in a panel discussion on ‘The Future of Sustainable and Smart City Living for Better Community’.
This is important as the built environment accounts for about a third of the world’s overall waste and almost 40 per cent of global carbon emissions. This presents opportunities for us to further embed sustainability across not only our value chain, but also the entire property lifecycle – from the early stages of planning and construction, to development as well as facilities and operations management.
The deployment of electric-powered mixer trucks for One Bangkok construction is one of many collaborative efforts aimed at managing our environmental impact.
One Bangkok's super structure and foundation respectively utilised CPAC Low Carbon Concrete (Hybrid Cement) and CPAC Low Carbon Concrete (Pulverised Fuel Ash), reducing carbon emissions by at least 3.9 kg/m3 and 17 kg/m3. Every 10 cubic metres of each type of concrete used, compared to regular concrete, is equivalent to planting at least four trees.
More than 75 per cent of construction waste generated at One Bangkok is also recycled. Autoclaved lightweight concrete blocks were recycled into sound barriers, and pile heads were used for precast concrete panels.
Electric-powered mixer trucks were deployed during construction as well, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 26.5 tons of carbon dioxide per year per vehicle compared with their diesel-powered counterparts.
When the integrated precinct is fully completed in 2026, it aims to apply circularity principles to further reduce both waste and emissions. Its food composting system is one example. When One Bangkok is fully operational, about 12,000kg of food waste is expected to be reduced and composted into fertiliser every day.
Clear sustainability goals
To scale up our sustainability efforts, we have set clear Group ESG Goals to guide us in our journey, said Wanshi Zheng, Group Chief Strategy & Planning Officer, Frasers Property Limited.
Zheng Wanshi, Group Chief Strategy & Planning Officer, Frasers Property Limited sheds light on Frasers Property’s decarbonisation journey and sustainability strategies at a panel discussion at SX2023
In 2021, we announced, alongside other sustainability goals, the goal to be a net-zero carbon corporation by 2050. Our concerted efforts across our operations and value chain have allowed us to make significant progress in just two years. As of 2023, almost all of our businesses have developed net-zero carbon roadmaps.
Ed.Square is the newest destination and urban community coming to Edmondson Park with a vibrant mix of amenities and open and green spaces
We are also piloting net-zero energy demand homes at the Ed.Square urban community in Sydney, in partnership with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. Called Balanced Energy homes, they are expected to eventually produce more energy than they consume.
Besides these, existing homes in the neighbourhood are water- and energy-efficient. Connected to the Hoxton Park Recycled Water Scheme and equipped with a dual plumbing system that supplies both potable and reclaimed water to each home, they reduce the use of potable water by 44 per cent. They are equally EV-ready, equipped with electrical infrastructure – including the home’s power board – that makes it easy and convenient to connect charging equipment.
Placing people first
Real estate ultimately remains a people-centric sector. Referencing our Purpose – Inspiring places, creating places for good. – Thanapol Sirithanachai, Country CEO of Frasers Property Thailand, stressed the importance of not losing sight of people and their well-being during the business’ pursuit of green certification and green financing goals.
Thanapol Sirithanachai, Country CEO of Frasers Property Thailand speaking at SX2023
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Artist impression of the Art Loop at One Bangkok
Besides aiming to be the first project in Thailand to receive the LEED Platinum Certification for Neighbourhood Development, One Bangkok also hopes to achieve the WELL Building Standard, which measures the health and well-being of occupants in buildings in areas such as air, fitness and comfort. The project heavily incorporates biophilic features and has set aside half of the total 108 acres for green spaces, including a 2km-long Art Loop that threads through the district, for people to enjoy as a work and live space.
Beyond conventions such as SX2023, Frasers Property will continue to learn from industry peers, foster partnerships and strengthen our sustainability practices. These will help to bolster and sustain our efforts towards creating a better, more balanced world for tenants, customers and visitors alike.
The most up-to-date information on our ESG journey is available in our ESG Report 2023 published last December.