When asked about the primary risks associated with incorporating sustainable practices in property development, Teh said the challenges are primarily related to costs.
“This includes the expense of incorporating novel technologies and other innovations in our development projects. In operations, costs arise from compliance with regulations, such as sustainability reporting, attending training sessions, and engaging sustainability consultants to craft or review SDB’s sustainability framework and strategy, which are then integrated into the day-to-day business functions,“ she added.
Teh said that to ensure its workforce aligns with its sustainability goals, SDB has conducted training sessions related to sustainability, starting with mandatory training for board members. “At the operational level, we have organised awareness webinars and employee engagement initiatives to raise awareness among general employees.”
Touching on other challenges, Teh said home affordability remains crucial for many homebuyers, especially first-time buyers.
She said integrating more sustainable features into SDB products or sustainable practices in operations, such as construction, may increase costs. “Therefore, finding the right balance between cost and the need to minimise our business impacts on the environment while delivering greener living spaces to our customers is essential.
“We prioritise the interests of homebuyers, giving them value for money by understanding their needs and challenges, external market trends and other macroeconomic factors. Every sustainable technology or feature we incorporate into our products, such as rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, larger window or thicker frame, or even composting, must directly benefit our home buyers.”
Teh said that, as a public-listed company, SDB has formally incorporated its sustainability framework into its overall strategy. The framework has been adopted by SDB’s board of directors, reaffirming the property developer’s commitment to drive its sustainability agenda from the highest level of leadership.
