LCC2030C transitions local councils and buildings to low carbon

By: Yip Wai Fong

In its bid to achieve the target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45% by 2030, Malaysia has adopted the low-carbon cities concept to measure environmental impact and implement actions to reduce GHG emissions. The Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) under the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRECC), has come up with the Low-Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF) since 2011 to transform local authorities, universities and all states nationwide into low-carbon cities. 

The LCCF has the objectives of measuring cities’ GHG emissions, serving as the main reference for local authorities to transition to low-carbon cities and to build the relevant capacities for local authorities to adopt low-carbon strategies. To date, MGTC has trained 135 out of 156 local authorities. 

Part of the success lies in the Low-Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge (LCC2030C) launched in 2019. It encourages local authorities, universities, economic zones and companies to reduce GHG emissions via maximising building energy efficiency and increasing the adoption of renewable energy, maximising water efficiency and increasing the adoption of rainwater harvesting, increasing the use of public transport, cycling lanes and walking trails, minimising waste and keeping a healthy amount of trees and green spaces in the city. 

LCC2030C winners are given diamond recognitions based on the amount of GHG reduced, either in an area (zone category) or for a building (partner category). The amount of reduction is calculated in comparison to the baseline year and follows a comprehensive action plan. The highest recognition is five-diamonds, which recognises GHG reduction by 45%. Winners can also be in the design category, where the building, urban environment, infrastructure, etc are being designed with measurable GHG reduction in mind. There is also the provisional award which recognises participants that successfully established their baseline year for GHG emission. In provisional awards, no diamond recognition is awarded.

The 2024 edition of LCC2030C was concluded in February and witnessed a total of 139 winners for diamond recognition for zones and partners, seven winners for diamond recognition in the design category, and 30 recipients of provisional awards. Out of the total, 51 were five-diamond recognitions.

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad revealed at the award ceremony that the low-carbon city initiatives in 2024 have achieved 456,000 tCO2e in GHG reduction and sequestered 29,592 tonnes of CO2. 

“The achievement is equivalent to planting 12.4 million trees or taking out 107,063 cars off the street, based on an average annual car mileage of 28,184km for each car,” he elaborated. 

“In addition to the benefits to the environment, this effort also helps building owners reduce operating costs through efficient utilisation of energy and water, as well as giving advantages to public transport users and electric vehicles through on-demand van service and providing sufficient charging stations for electric vehicles.

“I hereby congratulate all local authorities who are committed and have successfully set benchmarks and reduce carbon emissions in their respective areas. Hopefully, this award will be an incentive to continue increasing their commitment as well as excellent performance towards achieving the goal towards a low-carbon city,” he added. 

In the 2024 edition, four special categories were also introduced namely Most Active Local Authority which was won by the Shah Alam City Council, Highest Carbon Reduction (Zone Category) won by the Kuala Langat Municipal Council, Highest Carbon Reduction (Partner Category) won by Mewah Oils Sdn Bhd and lastly Highest Carbon Reduction (Special Partner Category) won by the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam.

One of the winners of the five-diamond recognition is Sunway City Iskandar Puteri Low-Carbon Zone, a partnership with Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) to put into action low-carbon initiatives under the Iskandar Puteri Climate Action Plan 2030.

"Collective action is key in driving meaningful change, and our collaboration with Sunway City Iskandar Puteri has been fundamental in building a low-carbon, sustainable future. We are proud to have been recognised by MGTC for our work to reduce emissions in the township through the implementation of smart technologies and sustainable practices, which also contributes to the overall quality of life for residents," said MBIP mayor Ahmad Nazir Mohd Nasir.

MGTC acting chief executive officer Saiful Adib Abdul Munaff said the end goal for the initiatives is for all cities in the country to be low-carbon cities as per the LCCF.

“We take local authorities through four steps; we first introduce and train the officers on the concept of a low-carbon city, we then work with them to identify a low-carbon zone within their city and develop a baseline measurement across five elements; energy, mobility, waste, water and greenery, next is about working out an action plan and implementing it and the last step is to conduct an annual measurement, reporting and verification process.

“To date, there are 77 low-carbon zones in cities across the country that are at various stages in their progress towards becoming a low-carbon city. The ultimate goal is for all cities to be low-carbon cities that are clean, safe and resilient for all its inhabitants," he said.

Nik Nazmi hopes the winners will increase their commitment towards low carbon city.

Saiful Adib said to date there are 77 low-carbon zones in cities across the country.

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