SINGAPORE - A new academy focused on driving sustainability in the Republic was launched on Friday (Aug 5).

The Singapore Sustainability Academy (SSA) will offer training programmes on energy efficiency, solar power and climate, just to name a few.

Another goal of the SSA is to promote collaboration among businesses, academics and even young people in the area of improving sustainability efforts and standards in the country.

The academy will be developed by real estate developer City Developments Limited (CDL) and non-profit organisation Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS).

To be located at the roof terrace of City Square Mall along Serangoon Road, the $2 million academy is slated to be completed by March 2017.

The 4,300 sq ft (399.5 sq m) academy will also be a zero-energy building - meaning it will produce enough energy to operate the building - with several green features including 3,230 sq ft (300 sq m) of solar panels.

In her speech at the academy's launch at Tower Club in Republic Plaza, Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources, called the partnership an "exciting collaboration".

"There is tremendous potential for the private sector to play a major role in our journey towards mitigating and adapting to the devastating effects of climate change," she said.