Forging Local and International Partnerships to Accelerate the Transformation Towards Low Carbon Cities
9 October 2019, Kuala Lumpur – The 2019 Low Carbon Cities Awards ceremony was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) in conjunction with the 10 th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia 2019 (IGEM 2019). 10 Low Carbon Zones and 9 Low Carbon Partners received the Diamond Recognition for reducing their carbon emissions across 4 elements; energy, water, mobility and waste and increasing their carbon sequestration by planting more trees. Among the efforts taken to achieve this include:
- building energy efficiency programs
- Zero Single Use Plastic campaigns
- solar PV renewable energy programs
- waste recycling and food waste composting
- sustainable and efficient water management programs
- utilisation and purchase of green products and services
- prioritising the development of pedestrian walkways, cycling paths and electric vehicle
infrastructure - increasing low emissions public transport use
- Car Free Day programs to crease awareness amongst the residents, and
- increasing the number of trees within the low carbon zone
Besides that, a further 7 Low Carbon Zones and 4 Low Carbon Partners received the Provisional Certificate for having quantified their carbon emissions baseline and are now implementing their low carbon initiatives.
The Low Carbon Cities Awards ceremony is held to recognise the efforts and achievements of Local Authorities, Universities, Organisations and Companies that participate in the Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge. Launched by YB Puan Yeo Bee Yin on the 23 rd of July 2019, this initiative aims to establish 200 Low Carbon Zones and 1,000 Low Carbon Partners across Malaysia by 2030. These Low Carbon Zones and Low Carbon Partners will have reduced emissions from energy and water consumption of buildings and common areas, reduced emissions from petrol and diesel private vehicle use and reduced emissions from the generation of waste that end up in landfills.
Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change, YB Puan Yeo Bee Yin said “As of today, by working together between the Local Authorities, GreenTech Malaysia and MESTECC, we have identified and established 17 Low Carbon Zones across 7 States in Malaysia. This is a good start but we need to do much more. Our immediate target is to reach 50 Low Carbon Zones spread across every State in Malaysia by 2021 that are actively implementing low carbon initiatives. At the Ministry and through GreenTech Malaysia, we will continue to create and implement specific programs and initiatives to support Local Authorities, Universities, Organisations and Companies to help accelerate the low carbon cities agenda.”
In his Welcoming Remarks, Acting Chief Operating Officer of GreenTech Malaysia, Tuan Syed Ahmad Syed Mustafa said “To the Local Authorities and Companies that have yet to participate in the Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge, I would encourage you to do so. It will not only enhance your reputation as a leader in climate action but also deliver you efficiencies in managing your operations and reducing the cost of doing business. It will also make you future ready and prepare you for more stringent climate regulations that may come. Above all, reducing our emissions and addressing climate change is the right thing to do.”
In the afternoon, Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change, YB Puan Yeo Bee Yin witnessed the exchange of 3 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between GreenTech Malaysia and CDP Worldwide (UK), GreenTech Malaysia and the Professional Bodies in Malaysia and GreenTech Malaysia and AmBank Islamic. All the 3 MOUs centre around the support for the Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge.
CDP Worldwide, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, is a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. Over 620 cities, 7,000 companies and 120 states and regions globally disclose their environmental information through CDP. Through this collaboration between GreenTech Malaysia and CDP, we aim to align our reporting with international standards as well as position our low carbon cities on the international stage. This international exposure could lead to investment opportunities for our cities by Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) and individual investors that are looking to invest in environmentally conscious cities.
To insert a quote from Kyra Appleby, Global Director of Cities, States & Regions, CDP
On the local front, the Professional Bodies in Malaysia that are dealing in the built environment and have a direct impact on how our cities are built and operated, which are the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP), Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Malaysia Green Building Council (MGBC), Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM), Malaysia Association of Energy Service Companies (MAESCO), ASHRAE Malaysia Chapter (MASHRAE), Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry Association (MPIA) and Waste Management Association of Malaysia (WMAM), will be prioratising low carbon design and development and working closely with GreenTech Malaysia to help advance the low carbon agenda in their respective fields in support of the Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge.
To insert a quote from the President of one of the Professional Bodies
A key piece of the puzzle that can ensure these low carbon initiatives get off the ground and bring actual positive environmental impact to our cities is financing and AmBank Islamic aims to be a key player in this sector. They integrate the principles of sustainability and Value-based Intermediation (“VBI”) into their business goals and strategy and act in an environmentally responsible manner to ensure they benefit and contribute to the greater good of society. The AmBank Group is well experienced in the green technology sector having successfully financed 14 projects under the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS). Through the collaboration with GreenTech Malaysia and in support of the Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge, AmBank Islamic will continue to build upon their efforts in ‘Responsible Banking’ and reach out to more SMEs to provide financial solutions for viable green technology projects.
To insert a quote from the CEO of AmBank Islamic
As the leading agency under the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change, GreenTech Malaysia is driving the climate change and the low carbon agenda in Malaysia.
About GreenTech Malaysia
Malaysian Green Technology Corporation also known as GreenTech Malaysia is the lead implementing agency to champion green economy, under the purview of the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC). Established in 2010, our mandate is to spearhead the development and promotion of green technology as a strategic engine for socio-economic growth in line with the National Green Technology Plan 2009.
For more information on Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge and the respective MOUs
please contact:
Saiful Adib Abdul Munaff 0123095497 and/or email: [email protected]
For media enquiries please contact:
Elina Jani 0123347004 and/or email: [email protected]
