Jakarta, INTI – Member of Commission A of the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD DKI), Manuara Siahaan, is urging the Jakarta provincial government to accelerate Green Building certification for government buildings. This initiative aims to position Jakarta within the top 50 of the Global Cities Index, requiring a significant effort to climb 24 ranks from its current position at 74.
Manuara’s vision aligns with the ambition of Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung. Governor Pram stated that Jakarta is targeted to rank among the top 50 “global cities” in the Global Cities Index within the next five years. The essence of a global city is one that is part of a network of major centers of investment, economic, social, and cultural activities, equipped with world class infrastructure and facilities.
Green Building: More Than a Symbol or Marketing Value
Furthermore, Manuara emphasized that Green Building certification is not merely a symbol of a modern city, but also contributes to energy efficiency and budget savings. To obtain Green Building certification, a building must undergo assessment by competent consultants with clear criteria. Manuara hopes that all government buildings under the Jakarta provincial government can meet these standards.
“There are several evaluation variables, including energy efficiency, water usage, space effectiveness, and workplace comfort,” Manuara said recently.
“This is one of the indicators toward a global city. At minimum, buildings should achieve Gold level,” he added.
However, unfortunately, the term “green building” is often used for promotional purposes. In a New York Times article titled Architecture in Tune With the Climate, the word “green” in a development project can significantly influence its market appeal. As a result, many buildings compete by providing large gardens and vegetation merely to achieve the label “green.”
Revitalizing Old Buildings into Green Buildings
Manuara stressed that certification does not necessarily require altering the main design, especially for buildings with heritage status. According to him, old buildings can also become Green Buildings. Systems for plumbing, electricity, and acoustics can be optimized without changing the original structure.
“If achieved, it’s impressiv a heritage building that is energy efficient,” Manuara explained.
A successful example is Wisma 46, an iconic Jakarta building that began operating in 1996 and has earned the Greenship Existing Building Gold certification from the Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI). This achievement underscores Wisma 46’s commitment to sustainability and environmental efficiency in its management.
Wisma 46 met the criteria for environmentally friendly offices set by GBCI, earning a total score of 74 across key aspects, including Appropriate Site Development (ASD), Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC), Water Conservation (WAC), Material Resources and Cycle (MRC), Indoor Health and Comfort (IHC), and Building Environment Management (BEM).
Significant improvements in Wisma 46 include 72.2% vegetated canopy coverage, 21% energy efficiency with an IKE of 197.4 kWh/m²/year, 25.9% water savings with clean water consumption of only 37.05 liters/person/day, use of eco friendly materials, implementation of an Outdoor Air Introduction system, and a Greenship Professional on the management team to ensure green building practices are effectively applied.
Energy Consumption Efficiency
Nazarudin, Wisma 46 Construction Manager, stated that energy consumption at Wisma 46 is highly efficient and even lower than Indonesian National Standard (SNI).
“For example, our energy consumption index is 197 kWh per year, lower than the SNI standard of 250 kWh/m²/year, along with consistent building maintenance, equipment operation, and waste management. These claims are verified by independent auditors,” he explained.
Nazarudin added that the team consistently implements energy efficiency measures, including LED lighting, optimal air conditioning use, and utilizing natural resources such as rainwater for operational needs.
“In addition, for rainwater utilization, we have a collection system for reuse in garden irrigation and toilets. Water quality is regularly tested by independent institutions to ensure it is safe for both human and environmental use,” he said.
Government Support for Green Buildings
Renewable energy is a key factor in green building criteria. GBCI is promoting green financing, which has already been applied in a residential project in BSD City with funding from Bank BRI.
According to Tiyok Prasetyoadi, Vice Chair of the Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI), the ESG market for corporations is growing and is now mandated under the OJK Green Taxonomy for property investment projects seeking green loans.
“Developers constructing new buildings will follow green building principles, not only because it is required, but also because it increases asset value and competitiveness,” Tiyok said.
He added that existing buildings should take the opportunity to review and optimize management for efficiency. Throughout 2024, a positive trend has been observed in existing buildings obtaining certification.
Conclusion
Accelerating Green Building certification for government buildings in Jakarta is a strategic step toward competing as a global city. The success of Wisma 46 in achieving Greenship Gold certification demonstrates that even old buildings can qualify without altering the main design, provided energy efficiency is prioritized. With government support and GBCI initiatives, including green financing and sustainability principles, Jakarta’s transformation into a modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly global city is on solid ground.
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