International Commerce Centre (ICC), under Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), achieved the ‘Outstanding’ rating, the highest honour under BREEAM In-Use, a green building assessment method by the British Research Establishment (BRE). ICC obtained full marks in three assessment categories.

ICC is the first building in Hong Kong to be certified by BREEAM. ICC is now, together with the top 3% of green buildings around the globe, widely recognized by the international community for its excellent green management, setting an outstanding environmental standard for Hong Kong. 

According to Mr Lo King-wai, General Manager (Office Leasing) of Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency, tenants of ICC are mainly multinationals or large organizations, which have stringent environmental protection requirements. “Reaching the highest BREEAM In-Use International rating is a testament to ICC’s outstanding green management standards, which are at the top of the industry and exceed international levels. This demonstrates SHKP's commitment to sustainable management and its success in thoroughly meeting the sustainability requirements of its environmentally conscious tenants,” he said.

ICC, managed by SHKP’s Kai Shing Management Services Limited, has long enhanced its energy-saving performance through the use of the latest technology to become an intelligent green building. Since 2012, through various energy saving measures, ICC has conserved 15 million kWh of energy, equivalent to the total annual electricity consumption of more than 4,500 three-member households, and a reduction of 10,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. 

Based on its longstanding management approach of Intelligence, Collaboration and Continuity, the team leverages smart technologies, such as an intelligent management system to monitor and control the operation and energy consumption of different facilities and equipment. The team utilizes Internet of Things (IoT) technology to analyse big data collected through a mobile digital system for energy efficiency optimization in the building. At the same time, the team proactively engages the community by collaborating with tenants and stakeholders in green and energy-saving initiatives to help achieve sustainable development. With the continuous efforts of the management team, ICC is the first building in Hong Kong to be certified by BREEAM In-Use. 

The BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Method) was launched by British Research Establishment (BRE) in 1990. It was the world’s first sustainability assessment method for buildings and has been adopted in 87 countries. BREEAM In-Use is used to assess all types of buildings in operation, except for residential buildings. Under the Building Management part of BREEAM In-Use, qualified BREEAM Assessors assess buildings in seven categories, namely ‘Management’, ‘Health & Wellbeing’, ‘Energy’, ’Water’, ’Materials’, ’Land Use & Ecology’ and ‘Pollution’. To achieve the ‘Outstanding’ rating,  a project must receive an overall score of 85% or above, which only the top 3% of certified projects have obtained. 

ICC’s contribution towards sustainability is well recognized by the industry.  In 2017, it received the first-ever top platinum certificate in the BEAM Plus Existing Buildings V2.0 scheme, issued by the Hong Kong Green Building Council, and in 2019, it was the first property in Hong Kong to be certified by Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency with ISO 41001:2018 Facility Management Systems. It also received the Hong Kong territory-wide Hanson Energy Saving Championship award, co-organized by the Environment Bureau and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department for three consecutive years, and received the Grand Award in 2017. Looking forward, the management team will continue to fully practice green management and adopt the latest green technologies. With its superior world-class green building elements and the most advanced technology applications, ICC will continue to enhance the green management standard.