January-February , 2021 | @ green

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Committed to reducing 45 per cent carbon emissions by 2030

By Khirtini K Kumaran

Carbon emissions in Malaysia are mainly related to urban settings . Malaysia ’ s response towards mitigating the issue is through low carbon cities ( LCC ), which provides an opportunity to reduce carbon emission with its sustainable urbanisation approach .

Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre ( MGTC ) organised a webinar on Dec 23 , 2020 , to highlight the various aspects of LCC in Malaysia .

The ‘ New Normal Webinar of Low Carbon City : Make it a Reality !’ webinar included presentations from low-carbon experts from various government agencies , professional bodies and local companies .

The speakers at the webinar were Datin TPr Mazrina Abdul Khalid ( Malaysian Institute of Planners ), Ar Mustapha Kamal Zulkarnain ( Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia ), Ir Santha Kumaran Erusan ( Institute of Engineers Malaysia ), Ar Serina Hijjas ( Malaysia Green Building Council ), Juanita Lourdes ( Green Real Estate ), Ir Phang Chen Faut ( Malaysian Energy Services Companies Association ), Nur Sabreena ( Advanrail Sdn Bhd ), Faizal Akmal ( Rivil Sdn Bhd ) and Pang Swee Lei ( Pamarai Sdn Bhd ).

Malaysia ’ s commitment to carbon emission reduction

Presenting on ‘ Introduction to LCC Planning ’, Mazrina shared on Malaysia ’ s journey towards reducing carbon emission , which began when it announced its commitment to reduce 40 per cent carbon emission by 2020 , at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 ( COP 15 ) in Copenhagen .

In 2015 , at COP 21 in Paris , Malaysia further expressed its commitment to reduce 45 per cent carbon reduction by 2030 . Malaysia then reported at COP 23 in 2017 that its carbon reduction is on track to achieve its target .

Malaysia has developed the Low Carbon City Framework ( LCCF ) to guide cities in managing carbon reduction . She further explained that by implementing LCCF , Malaysia will deliver 10 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ).

The building sector is responsible for about 40 per cent of energy-related global carbon emissions . In Malaysia , the residential and non-residential sector is projected to grow in the next decade .

“ However , less than one per cent of Malaysia ’ s building

Mazrina

Mustapha Kamal

Serina Hijjas

Carbon emissions in Malaysia are mainly related to urban settings . Malaysia ’ s response towards mitigating the issue is through low carbon cities ( LCC ), which provides an opportunity to reduce carbon emission with its sustainable urbanisation approach .”

stock is green certified ,” Juanita shared .

Considering the projected urbanisation , cities tend to face environmental issues such as Urban Heat Island ( UHI ) effect , loss of biodiversity , etc . She stressed that added greenery will be able to solve the ecological problems .

According to Serina , a green township ’ s development considers a more holistic planning approach ; creating better linkages between communities , environment , and buildings .

And when it comes to greening a township , there are six core criteria , which are :

• climate , energy and water ,

• ecology and environment ,

• community planning and design ,

• transportation and connectivity ,

• building and resources , and

• business and innovation . In Malaysia , the energy sector , which includes electricity and transportation , makes up 80 per cent of the total emissions .

Santha , presenting ‘ Renewable Energy for Sustainable LCC ’, stated that renewable energy was the main drive for low carbon . While Malaysia had started renewable energy initiatives , it was still in the early stages .

Mustapha , who presented ‘ How are cities to cope after Covid-19 – The good news and the future ’, said that apart from climate change and disaster risk management , urban design protocol now needed to consider handling control Covid-19 or other potentially infectious diseases .

He believed the green and smart buildings designs would be the secret weapon to combat infectious diseases in the future .

“ Buildings will be the filter between us and the pandemic ,” he said .

The webinar also further featured presentations from the remaining speakers , each sharing their green-certified services and innovations , contributing to LCC goals . — @ green

Riding on the momentum of its Nett-Zero Carbon Emissions 2050 declaration in October , PETRONAS has joined forces with the United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei ( UNGCMY & B ) at the recent GO ESG ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Virtual Summit 2020 to position sustainability at the core of business recovery efforts in ASEAN .

Aptly themed “ The Business of Recovering Better – A Resilient & Sustainable ASEAN by Design ”, the Summit , which was held on Nov 2-30 , 2020 drew both local and regional online participants .

Speaking at the event , Petronas Vice President of Group Health , Safety , Security and Environment ( HSSE ) Dzafri Sham Ahmad said the summit was an opportune occasion to support Petronas ’ aspiration of achieving nett-zero carbon emissions by 2050 .

He said : “ Petronas ’ strategy is to continue minimising the impact of our carbon footprint in existing and future operations and deploy more low carbon solutions technologies . We need to have a full understanding of market readiness and changes in consumer behaviour in order to determine the required capital investments .

“ We believe there are opportunities in growing our low-carbon portfolio and increasing circularity in our resource consumption to optimise costs . We are already seeing positive results through efforts that we have put in two decades ago to reduce emissions . Over the same period , our technology strategy also delivered improved efficiencies .”

Dzafri added Petronas was looking into the possibility of deploying more low carbon solutions in the long term , with a project on carbon capture & storage ( CCS ) on the horizon . Other types of low carbon solutions include carbon utilisation technologies , bio-based products , and hydrogen amongst others .

In order to achieve the 2050 aspiration , Dzafri pointed out that a concerted effort and collaboration between policy makers , industries , consumers and other key stakeholders is required .

“ Collaborations will be the key driver for Petronas to

grow our businesses and support a green and clean agenda together with our partners .”

Executive Director of UNGCY & B Faroze Nadar said : “ The shift in focus from restarting to reimagining business is an opportunity to make way for a new , environmentally friendly economy in the creation

Dzafri of the world we want – not to recover to the old normal but resetting for a sustainable and integrated global system in the post-pandemic era . The summit is indeed timely as it presents a platform for SMEs and Corporates within ASEAN to come together and demonstrate climate leadership .”

The Summit featured high-level global and regional speakers , including a pool of heads of governments , with topics curated around global sustainability megatrends , the UNGC 10 Principles and ASEAN priority areas .