Asia's Green Ambitions Should Start from Urban Environments

It is estimated that urban environments account for a large percentage of greenhouse-gas emissions. As such, governments are beginning to realise that efforts to reduce a country's carbon footprint should start in its rapidly growing cities. (Image Source: Flickr)

A 2014 study released by the Association for Sustainable & Responsible Investment in Asia (ASrIA) found that the "sustainable investment market is robust and growing" in Asia - at a rate of 22 per cent per year since 2011.

The study also showed that 62 per cent of investors surveyed agreed that it is vital to factor climate risks into investment decisions. Based on this percentage, it is likely that Asia will continue seeing growth in the sustainable investment market in coming years, including investments in renewable energy and green technology.

Malaysia is a large country with big urban settlements. Cities like Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Johor Bahru and Petaling Jaya are each home to over 600,000 Malaysians. Richard Rugg, Managing Director of programmes at the Carbon Trust, opined in a recent article that Asia should focus its efforts on reducing carbon emissions in cities because of the following points:

• Cities are responsible for 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption.
• Asian urban centres are the world's fastest growing.
• Economic growth in Asia has led to "an explosion" in energy and resource consumption as well as greenhouse emissions.

Rugg also sees Malaysia as being in a growth phase. The country therefore has the "opportunity to improve both energy efficiency and air quality" of its cities.

Property development is going green in Malaysia

Malaysian government bodies and private developers are also becoming aware of the opportunities in green construction and are taking steps to build green, sustainable residential communities, office complexes and industrial parks.

According to Eco-CSR Japan, when the Iskandar Malaysia project in Johor was announced in 2006, the Malaysian government concurrently announced the Comprehensive Development Plan for the South Johor Economic Region (SJER). The aim of SJER is "to address socioeconomic development in a holistic and sustainable manner". The development includes a Greenery Plan as an integral part of the Iskandar Malaysia Development Authority's (IRDA) development programme.

In 2011, the Malacca State Government announced plans to "develop a pioneer green city". Named Hang Tuah Jaya Green City, it will limit the number of motorised vehicles and encourage the use of electric vehicles with special lanes and recharging stations.

According to an article on The Star Online, street lamps will either have energy efficient LED lights or be solar-powered. In addition, chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the state "would outline technical guidelines which would compel developers to register for Green Building Index certification" before completion of their projects.

Developers throughout the country are using green technology in a number of ways, including:

• Installation of solar photovoltaic systems to reduce energy consumption from natural sources.
• Installing double-glazed and low-e glass in windows to reduce heat gain in buildings.
• Harvesting rainwater and using it in air-conditioning cooling towers.
• Using sophisticated passive and active ventilation systems to reduce dependence on air conditioning and improve indoor air quality.

In a 2009 speech, Malaysia's prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak showed the country's commitment to green building with the adoption of "an indicator of a voluntary reduction up to 40 per cent in terms of emission intensity of GDP by the year 2020 compared to 2005 levels." This goal will likely be achieved by focusing efforts first in Malaysia's cities.