Public agencies and government-owned companies in Singapore are under increasing pressure to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon emissions. National policies such as the Public Sector Green Plan require government entities to lead by example in sustainability. To meet these mandates, carbon analysis dashboards, empowered by IoT platforms, provide accurate, real-time visibility into energy use and emissions. This article explores how public organisations leverage data to comply with mandates and drive continuous improvement.
We draw on Neuron’s projects and link to related resources including Energy & Carbon Saving for Singapore’s Green Buildings, Public Sector IoT Integration and From Carbon Analysis to Action: The Role of Digital Platforms in Net Zero Goals.
Government energy and carbon mandates
A carbon analysis dashboard, making part of Neuron’s ESG module, helps collect, process, and visualise data related to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It enables organisations to:
Monitor energy use in real time.
Data from smart meters, IoT sensors and building management systems feeds into the dashboard.
Calculate carbon emissions.
Energy data is converted into carbon equivalents based on emission factors. Dashboards may also track scope 2 and scope 3 emissions, and the report will be more locally relevant, as factors will automatically adjust to local standards based on project geographic location.
Benchmark performance.
Agencies compare energy intensity and emissions across buildings and departments.
Generate compliance reports.
Automated data collection streamlines key reporting information for regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders.
Identify opportunities.
Visualisations and analytics highlight inefficiencies and prioritise improvements.
What are carbon analysis dashboards?
A carbon analysis dashboard, making part of Neuron’s ESG module, helps collect, process, and visualise data related to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It enables organisations to:
Monitor energy use in real time.
Data from smart meters, IoT sensors and building management systems feeds into the dashboard.
Calculate carbon emissions.
Energy data is converted into carbon equivalents based on emission factors. Dashboards may also track scope 2 and scope 3 emissions, and the report will be more locally relevant, as factors will automatically adjust to local standards based on project geographic location.
Benchmark performance.
Agencies compare energy intensity and emissions across buildings and departments.
Generate compliance reports.
Automated data collection streamlines key reporting information for regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders.
Identify opportunities.
Visualisations and analytics highlight inefficiencies and prioritise improvements.
Building the data infrastructure
IoT hubs and unified data models
The foundation of a carbon analysis dashboard is a unified data platform. IoT hubs integrate data from energy meters, HVAC systems, renewable energy systems and different sensors. Neuron’s platform at Zero Carbon Park (insert link), a representative Hong Kong public demonstration project, serves as a central platform for showcasing and managing how a universal data model and open APIs enable seamless data integration.
Automated data collection and ESG modules
In the Artyzen Habitat Hengqin Zhuhai case(insert link), Neuron’s system implemented ESG emissions tracking modules and automated reporting, saving five man-days per month. This approach is directly applicable to the O&M department and public agencies that must prepare regular reports on energy use and sustainability. Dashboards also support annual sustainability disclosures and capture key information for Green Mark documentation.
Centralised operations centres
The Regional Digitisation Control Centre (RDCC Insert link) centralised digital supervision across more than 400 government buildings. It included performance benchmarking and analytics, enabling agencies to identify underperforming buildings and prioritise upgrades. Public organisations can establish similar operations centres to oversee energy and carbon data across portfolios.
Integration with green building mandates
Defining monitoring parameters and key performance indices compliant with the BCA Green Mark 2021 requirements, ensuring continuous monitoring and verification. By collecting real-time data and automating calculations, organisations ensure compliance and prepare for audits. When combined with IoT-enabled optimisation — such as chiller plant optimisation in the Drainage Services Department project — they not only report performance but also drive improvements.
Implementation steps
Define analysis requirements.
Identify the metrics mandated by national policies (energy use, carbon emissions, water consumption) and internal sustainability targets.
Install sub-metering and sensors.
Equip buildings with smart meters and IoT sensors to capture electricity, gas, water and renewable energy data. Integrate with existing BMS and SCADA systems.
Deploy an IoT hub and dashboard platform.
Choose a platform that supports open APIs, data normalisation and modular reporting features. Ensure cybersecurity and scalability.
Automate data processing.
Configure the platform to convert energy data into carbon metrics using emission factors. Set up automated calculations for Green Mark or other certifications.
Visualise and benchmark.
Develop dashboards that display current and historical performance, comparisons between buildings and targets vs. actual outcomes.
Train staff and engage stakeholders.
Educate facility managers and sustainability teams on how to interpret the data. Share dashboard insights with agency leadership and the public.
Act on insights.
Use the data to prioritise retrofits, behavioural interventions and policy changes. Integrate with predictive maintenance and energy optimisation algorithms to drive continuous improvement.
Case examples
Artyzen Habitat Hengqin Zhuhai
Automating ESG data collection saved staff time and improved data accuracy. Public organisations can similarly streamline compliance reporting and focus resources on strategic initiatives.
Regional Digitisation Control Centre (RDCC)
Centralised monitoring, benchmarking and analytics across hundreds of government buildings provided actionable insights for energy and carbon reduction.
Drainage Services Department
Integration of energy systems and predictive maintenance reduced energy consumption and improved reliability. Coupling optimisation with reporting ensures that improvements are reflected in dashboards.
Conclusion
Public organisations play a vital role in leading Singapore’s transition to a low-carbon future. The carbon and energy analysis feature in the Neuron ESG module, powered by robust IoT platforms, enables agencies to comply with government energy mandates, enhance transparency, and identify optimization opportunities. Insights from Neuron’s projects demonstrate that integrating unified data models with key performance indicators aligned to various Green Building Scheme standards, combined with predictive analytics, delivers stronger compliance outcomes and tangible energy savings. As public agencies adopt these solutions, they not only meet regulatory requirements but also inspire private sector partners to elevate their sustainability efforts.
For more detailed guidance, explore Energy & Carbon Saving for Singapore’s Green Buildings and related clusters on Understanding the Green Energy Mandate, From Carbon Analysis to Action, and Industrial Projects: Reducing Peak Load and Carbon Emissions.
FAQs
Why do public organisations need carbon analysis dashboards?
Government agencies must comply with energy and emissions mandates. Dashboards provide accurate, real-time data and automated reporting data collection and analysis, enabling transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making.
What data sources feed into carbon dashboards?
Smart meters for electricity, gas and water; IoT sensors for environmental conditions; BMS; renewable energy systems; and utility bills. The IoT hub aggregates and normalises this data.
How are emissions calculated?
Energy consumption data is multiplied by emission factors (EFs) (e.g., kg CO₂e per kWh). Dashboards may also account for scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity and scope 3 emissions from outsourced services or travel. Different countries have different EFs relying on varying mixes of the energy supply types plus different levels of industrialization, population density, consumption habits and etc.
Can dashboards support Green Mark certification?
Yes. Real-time monitoring and auto fundamental data collection help meet measurement and verification requirements. Dashboards provide evidence of energy savings and environmental performance for certification submissions.
How do dashboards drive action beyond reporting?
Dashboards highlight areas of inefficiency and benchmark performance across facilities. When integrated with predictive analytics and maintenance, they not only report metrics but also suggest improvements and track the results of interventions.
