KUALA LUMPUR: British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd (BAT Malaysia) head office in Guoco Tower, Damansara, has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, reinforcing the company's commitment to putting sustainability front and centre.
BAT Malaysia's commitment to create an office environment not only environmentally friendly but optimised for the welfare and well-being of its employees.
BAT Malaysia managing director Jonathan Reed said the well-being of employees as well as the commitment to safeguard the environment has always been a priority for BAT Malaysia.
"Receiving the LEED certification reflects this passion and underlines our efforts to pursue sustainable practices across the business to deliver A Better Tomorrow for all our stakeholders.
"This LEED certification is just the start of our journey in embedding a culture of sustainability amongst our people and across all areas of our business.
"Moving forwards, we are committed towards driving a positive change across four key areas of focus comprising harm reduction, environment, social impact and governance and look forward to continue in delivering a positive impact in these spaces," he said in a statement today.
As a globally recognised benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings, LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world.
It is also the most comprehensive and stringent framework for identifying, implementing, and measuring green offices.
As part of the review process, companies must not only commit working collaboratively with LEED consultants in all stages of the design, construction, operations and maintenance of the office but, maintain and upkeep these standards in order to maintain this certification.
Key features built into the BAT Malaysia office that earned the coveted LEED certification includes enhanced indoor air quality, between 30 – 40 per cent savings in energy and water, reduced carbon emissions by 40 per cent and reduced solid waste to landfills by 70 per cent.
With such rigorous processes in place, not many companies take it upon themselves to get LEED certified.
In Malaysia, only a handful of offices are LEED certified, putting BAT Malaysia in good company of other leading corporate brands who are recognised for having sustainability as a priority.
US Green Building Council president and chief executive officer Mahesh Ramanujam said transforming buildings and spaces happens one project at a time.
"BAT Malaysia understands the value of LEED and has shown extraordinary leadership in reshaping the market.
"The success of LEED is due to the partnership and support of those committed to advancing green building and sustainability.
"Each new LEED certification brings us one step closer to revolutionising the spaces where we live, learn, work and play," he said.