GreenRE certification is now a standard requirement for many residential, commercial and industrial developments. Buyers, tenants and financiers increasingly ask for it, and certified buildings may qualify for green investment tax incentives administered by the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), subject to eligibility. As a result, more developers now appoint a GreenRE consultant in Malaysia at the start of a project.
Getting certified takes more than adding a few green features. Every credit needs calculations, drawings and evidence, and decisions made at design stage decide most of the final score. This is where an experienced GreenRE consultant comes in. This guide explains how GreenRE works, what each rating level means and what a consultant does at every stage of the process.
What Is GreenRE?
GreenRE is a green building rating tool established in 2013 by the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (REHDA). It is run by GreenRE Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of REHDA. Together with the Green Building Index (GBI), it is one of the two rating tools most commonly used in the Malaysian property market.
GreenRE assesses a building’s environmental performance across six areas:
- Energy efficiency
- Water efficiency
- Environmental protection
- Indoor environmental quality
- Other green features
- Carbon emission of development
Energy efficiency accounts for a large share of the points, so the building envelope, air-conditioning and lighting design have a large effect on the result.
GreenRE Rating Levels Explained
Each project is scored against the criteria in its rating tool and awarded one of four ratings:
| Rating | GreenRE score |
|---|---|
| Bronze | 50 to below 75 points |
| Silver | 75 to below 85 points |
| Gold | 85 to below 90 points |
| Platinum | 90 points and above |
Setting the target rating early matters. The step from Gold to Platinum is only five points, but those points are usually the most expensive to earn. A consultant can show which credits are achievable within your budget before the design is fixed, so the target is realistic from day one.
Which Developments Can Apply for GreenRE?
GreenRE has separate rating tools for most building types, including:
- Residential buildings and landed homes
- Non-residential buildings such as offices, hotels, retail and healthcare facilities
- Industrial facilities
- Office interiors
- Existing residential, non-residential and industrial buildings
- Townships
Each tool has its own criteria and documentation requirements, so the first step is confirming which tool applies. Mixed-use developments may need more than one. For large master-planned projects, read our guide to green township certification.
How the GreenRE Certification Process Works
GreenRE certification follows four main stages.
Stage 1: Application
The project is registered with GreenRE together with the supporting documents.
Stage 2: Pre-Assessment (Optional)
The design is reviewed against the criteria to understand where the project stands and confirm a realistic target rating.
Stage 3: Actual Assessment
GreenRE reviews the design documents and calculations. When this stage is complete, the project receives a Provisional Certificate.
Stage 4: Site Verification
At completion, GreenRE checks that what was designed has been built. Once verified, the project receives its Final Certificate.
For large projects, the gap between provisional and final certification can run into years. Specifications often change during construction, and a value-engineering decision that swaps the specified glazing or chillers can cost points. Tracking compliance through construction is as important as getting the design right.
What Does a GreenRE Consultant Do?
A GreenRE consultant manages the certification on behalf of the developer and works with the architect, M&E engineers, quantity surveyor and contractor. A typical scope covers:
- Feasibility study and target rating recommendation
- Gap analysis of drawings against GreenRE criteria
- Energy modelling and thermal performance calculations such as OTTV and RETV
- Preparing and submitting certification documents
- Responding to assessor comments
- Construction-stage monitoring and site verification support
The real value is in the trade-offs. An experienced consultant knows which credits cost little to achieve and which add construction cost for very few points, and steers the design team accordingly. Our article on how to choose a green building consultant covers what to look for when appointing one.
When Should You Appoint a GreenRE Consultant?
The best time to bring in a GreenRE consultant in Malaysia is at concept or schematic design, before building orientation, facade and M&E systems are fixed. Changes at this stage cost little, while the same changes after tender can be expensive.
Late appointment is still possible. For projects already under construction, a consultant can carry out a gap analysis and find the most practical route to the target. Completed buildings can be certified under GreenRE’s existing building tools.
Why Choose DME Solutions as Your GreenRE Consultant?
As a GreenRE consultant in Malaysia, DME Solutions has been delivering GreenRE certification since the early years of the scheme, across residential, commercial, industrial, data centre and township projects. Our work includes Andaman Island in Penang, which in 2023 became the first township in Malaysia to receive GreenRE Platinum Provisional Certification under the township category.
Our team brings together architecture, engineering and environmental expertise, with offices in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Besides GreenRE, we also handle GBI, LEED and CASBEE Iskandar, so we can advise on which rating tool suits your project. Find out more about our green building consultancy services.
GreenRE Consultant FAQs
Q: What does a GreenRE consultant do?
A: A GreenRE consultant manages the certification for the developer. This covers setting the target rating, reviewing drawings against the criteria, preparing calculations and documents, responding to assessor comments and supporting site verification at completion.
Q: How long does GreenRE certification take?
A: The Provisional Certificate is issued once the design assessment is complete. The Final Certificate follows site verification after construction, so the overall timeline depends on the construction programme. For large projects, this can be several years from registration to final certification.
Q: What is the difference between GreenRE and GBI?
A: Both are Malaysian green building rating tools that assess similar areas such as energy, water and indoor environmental quality. GreenRE was set up by REHDA in 2013, while GBI was launched in 2009 by PAM and ACEM. The right choice depends on your project goals, market expectations and which credits suit the design.
Q: Which GreenRE rating should my project target?
A: It depends on your budget, market positioning and any incentives you plan to claim. Gold and Platinum usually need sustainability built into the design from the start. A pre-assessment shows which rating is realistic before costs are committed.
Q: Can an existing building get GreenRE certification?
A: Yes. GreenRE has rating tools for existing residential, non-residential and industrial buildings, which focus on how the building performs and is managed in operation.
Q: When should I appoint a GreenRE consultant?
A: Ideally at concept or schematic design, before the building orientation, facade and M&E systems are fixed. Projects already under construction can still appoint a consultant for a gap analysis.
Talk to a GreenRE Consultant
Looking for a GreenRE consultant in Malaysia for a new development or an existing building? Contact DME Solutions to discuss your project, target rating and timeline. We support developers from feasibility through to final certification.