Johor to expand low carbon policy outside Iskandar Malaysia areas

JOHOR BARU: Johor is extending its low carbon policy to other district councils outside the Iskandar Malaysia areas, according to state Local Government, Science and Technology committee chairman Tan Hong Pin.

He said this after launching the Building Energy Monitoring System (BEMRS) workshop and the 3rd Iskandar Malaysia Green Accord Initiative Award (GAIA) 2018-2019, here today.

“BEMRS workshop is a platform to further train local authorities, building owners and developers to better understand energy usage patterns, building energy index (BEI) and non cost quick-win countermeasures to save on building energy and utilities bills,” Tan said.

The BEMRS workshop aims for green technology and low carbon effort, while GAIA is a soft incentive scheme that rewards organisations, companies, institutions and businesses that have gone beyond regulatory requirements of operations to contribute towards improving the sustainability of the built environment.

Tan said he has directed the three local authorities where they will be preparing their local development plan next year.

“They should use BEMRS in their local development plan as an effort towards a low carbon society,” Tan said.

The three district councils are Muar, Mersing and Kluang.

He said the effort is in line with Malaysia’s aim to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of GDP by 45%, by the year 2030.

The 3rd Iskandar Malaysia Green Accord Initiative Award (GAIA) 2018-2019 is now open for submission until Dec 30, 2018.

Source: TheSunDaily