GreenRE tops 500 mil sq ft in certified space, ISW 2026 drives net-zero push

KUALA LUMPUR (April 14): GreenRE has certified over 500 million square feet of gross floor area in Malaysia across residential, commercial and industrial projects. GreenRE Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Fateh Iskandar Mohamed Mansor (FD Iskandar) said the certification is not limited to one segment of the market, but covers a wide range of property types.  

“We started with residential, but now we’ve done even the second tallest tower in the world, Merdeka 118, Battersea Power Station in London, AEON Mall Meh Chey in Phnom Penh, and even industrial properties,” he told EdgeProp at the International Sustainability Week (ISW) 2026 soft launch today at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec).

He added that the scope of certification has expanded significantly, including industrial parks, petrol stations along the North-South Expressway (NSE), Melaka, Penang, Kedah, and even data centres.

GreenRE is also strengthening its regional footprint across Asean markets, while consolidating its position in Malaysia’s green building certification landscape.

“Our main concentration now is Asean first, before going beyond that,” he said.

ISW 2026 targets 1,500 regional participants

International Sustainability Week (ISW) has grown into a key regional sustainability platform over six editions, expanding from 40 participants in its early years to 800 last year, with this year’s edition targeting 1,500 participants.

ISW 2026 will take place on Sept 10 and 11 at Mitec under the theme “From Certification to Transformation: Building a Net Zero Future Together”. 

It is expected to feature over 20 regional and international speakers, including Expo City Dubai executive director Nadia Verjee, Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority former group director Larry Ng, and Arup Australia Global Climate and Sustainability leader Joan Ko.

Key discussions will focus on net-zero cities, climate-responsive urban development, governance and standards, and the role of data and infrastructure in delivering measurable sustainability outcomes.

“This is our sixth ISW. When we first started, we only had 40 people. Last year, we had 800,” FD Iskandar said.

ISW 2026 is co-organised by GreenRE and Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd, with EdgeProp as the media partner. It is designed as a standard-led ecosystem connecting policy, certification and industry solutions under a single framework..

The platform positions Malaysia within the broader global push for sustainable buildings and future-ready cities.

ISW forms part of the International Green Build Conference (IGBC), now also in its sixth edition. Having now expanded to include the GreenScape: International Green Innovation Exhibition, it brings together policy, standards and implementation within one platform. It is expected to draw 100 innovation exhibitors, and attract about 5,000 visitors.

The soft launch also saw a memorandum of collaboration (MoC) exchange between the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) and ISW organisers, aimed at strengthening coordination across Malaysia’s sustainability ecosystem, including alignment with the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM).

He said ISW has also expanded its education and outreach efforts, including engagement with universities through grant programmes involving both lecturers and students.

“We have 10 universities that we give out grants, and we actually invite not only their lecturers, but also students,” he said.

FD Iskandar said the initiative is designed to build long-term awareness of sustainable development across the next generation, rather than relying solely on regulatory enforcement.

“It’s a buy-in into sustainable development,” he said.

Industry alignment brings whole sustainability ecosystem together

The sustainability ecosystem is increasingly driven by industry participation, supported by government incentives and financial sector initiatives, including tax allowances and green financing schemes.

“The whole ecosystem is coming together,” he said.

ISW has helped accelerate this ecosystem-wide shift, where developers, regulators and financiers are now aligned in advancing green development.

“The banking sector is now putting in so many incentives to ensure developers incorporate the right sort of sustainability element,” he said.

Over the past six years, sustainability discussions have translated into tangible policy support, including investment tax allowances and lower financing rates for green projects.

“Now, if you were to take green financing incentives, it’s at a lower interest rate,” he said.

He said while market conditions remain uncertain due to geopolitical developments, the direction for the industry remains clear.

ISW continues to play a key role in translating sustainability from compliance to execution, bridging policy, financing and implementation.

FD Iskandar said construction costs, which have increased by 30% to 40% in some cases because of ongoing market volatility, have yet to clearly impact green certification costs.

“At this moment, not yet. A lot of things are not settled yet,” he said, adding, “A lot of people are very cautious.”

He said uncertainty in global oil prices continues to make it difficult to assess the actual impact on construction and green development pricing.

“So, until there’s a degree of stability, we cannot see the actual increase in construction costs,” he said.

Climate Change Act to be tabled mid-year

The launch was officiated by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup. In his speech, he said the Cabinet’s recent approval of the National Carbon Market Policy lays the foundation for the upcoming Climate Change Act.

“We plan to bring a Climate Change Act to the table in Parliament by June or July this year, so that we can at least have a framework up for our carbon emissions scheme,” he said.

Addressing geopolitical uncertainties, he acknowledged that targets may need revision, particularly as industries face rising energy and fuel costs.

“Although we had a plan to implement the carbon tax by this year, we understand that industries are now very sensitive to any costs,” he said.

However, he stressed that the transition towards sustainability must continue.

“I don’t think that the geopolitical situation now is an excuse for us to slow down. We still need to move towards renewable energy and have a greener environment,” he said.

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