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SIRIM - Technology Provider
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in this issue<br />
Ü Tea Team produces results<br />
Ü Weaving hope for future<br />
Ü Pomeroy unveils Newpark<br />
Ü China’s l<strong>and</strong> treatment<br />
success<br />
NRE’s 11 goals<br />
towards a better<br />
environment<br />
Implementation of CAAP critical in<br />
reducing greenhouse emissions<br />
<strong>and</strong> combating global warming<br />
Nam Cheong<br />
launches new<br />
‘green’ AHTS vessel<br />
Not just cost-effective<br />
but also fuel efficient <strong>and</strong><br />
environmentally-<strong>friendly</strong><br />
Technology<br />
Provider<br />
As a premier solution provider, President<br />
<strong>and</strong> CE Dato’ Dr Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof<br />
is the driver behind SIRIM’s quality <strong>and</strong><br />
technology innovations that help<br />
companies to compete better
Editor’s Note<br />
Publisher<br />
HK Gan<br />
hkgan@theplus.my<br />
Managing Editor<br />
Johnson Fern<strong>and</strong>ez<br />
johnson@theplus.my<br />
Photo-Journalist<br />
Kevin Wong<br />
kevin@theplus.my<br />
Columnists<br />
Lim Gene-Harn<br />
Zaini Abdul Wahab<br />
Kenny Hoo<br />
Kevin Hor<br />
Editorial Coordinator<br />
Sarah Zain<br />
sarah@theplus.my<br />
Creative Director<br />
Ahmad Aliff Azeem<br />
ahmad@theplus.my<br />
Head of Marketing<br />
Wong Tze Cheen<br />
tcwong@theplus.my<br />
Head of <strong>Business</strong> Development<br />
Alex<strong>and</strong>er Lee<br />
alex<strong>and</strong>erlee@theplus.my<br />
Published by:<br />
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the publisher assumes no responsibility for<br />
effects arising from them.<br />
Back to the future<br />
In 1990, Zainal Abidin recorded the song “Hijau”. It climbed to the top of the Malaysian<br />
charts, defying naysayers who said any Malay song without “luka”, “duka” or “cinta” in<br />
it was doomed.<br />
But Zainal’s song “Hijau” (<strong>Green</strong>) was about the environment. Ignore the dialect in the<br />
latter verses, focus on the first six verses. The song is a grim reminder of the rape of the<br />
forests, the pillaging of the environment, the don’t-care-less attitude of both government <strong>and</strong><br />
private sectors whose only motivation is wealth, lots of it.<br />
And why was that allowed to happen? Well, Zainal tells you why in the sixth verse:<br />
Korupsi, oppressi, obsessi diri<br />
Polussi, depressi di bumi kini<br />
Well, of course now there is (seemingly) concerted effort to do something about the environment.<br />
There are several ministries looking into preventing the devastation – Ministry of<br />
Energy, <strong>Green</strong> Technology <strong>and</strong> Water, Ministry<br />
of Natural Resources <strong>and</strong> Environment <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing <strong>and</strong> Local<br />
Government.<br />
We have committed<br />
to the<br />
Technology<br />
Provider<br />
As a premier solution provider, President<br />
<strong>and</strong> CE Dato’ Dr Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof<br />
is the driver behind SIRIM’s quality <strong>and</strong><br />
technology innovations that help<br />
companies to compete better<br />
in this issue<br />
Ü Tea Team produces results<br />
Ü Weaving hope for future<br />
Ü Pomeroy unveils Newpark<br />
Ü China’s l<strong>and</strong> treatment<br />
success<br />
NRE’s 11 goals<br />
towards a better<br />
environment<br />
Implementation of CAAP critical in<br />
reducing greenhouse emissions<br />
<strong>and</strong> combating global warming<br />
Nam Cheong<br />
launches new<br />
‘green’ AHTS vessel<br />
Not just cost-effective<br />
but also fuel efficient <strong>and</strong><br />
environmentally-<strong>friendly</strong><br />
international community<br />
to reduce<br />
carbon emissions<br />
intensity by 40 per<br />
cent by 2020.<br />
That pledge was<br />
made by Prime<br />
Minister Datuk<br />
Seri Najib Razak in<br />
2009, some twenty<br />
years after Zainal<br />
espoused that<br />
something be done<br />
about the environment,<br />
lest the earth<br />
be destroyed <strong>and</strong> we<br />
leave nothing for our children.<br />
But it’s always better late than never, while<br />
there’s still something of the earth to be saved.<br />
Now there’s green technology, green business,<br />
green lifestyle, green architecture <strong>and</strong><br />
even green finance.<br />
We’re definitely moving in the right<br />
direction.<br />
Malaysia’s exchange of green technology<br />
via numerous international collaborations<br />
like Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce<br />
(MCCC), Belgian <strong>Eco</strong>nomic Mission, Malaysian-<br />
German Chamber of Commerce <strong>and</strong> Industry,<br />
Malaysian-Dutch <strong>Business</strong> Council (MDBC) is<br />
purposed to ensure that sustainability is a way<br />
of life.<br />
Everyone seems to have their shoulders to<br />
wheel, pushing in the same direction so that we<br />
are able to return this l<strong>and</strong> to the future.<br />
JOHNSON FERNANDEZ<br />
HIJAU<br />
Bumi yang tiada rimba<br />
Seumpama hamba<br />
Dia dicemar manusia<br />
Yang jahil ketawa<br />
Bumi yang tiada udara<br />
Bagai tiada nyawa<br />
Pasti hilang suatu hari<br />
Tanpa disedari<br />
Bumi tanpa lautan<br />
Akan kehausan<br />
Pasti lambat laun hilang<br />
Duniaku yang malang<br />
Dewasa ini kita saling merayakan<br />
Kejayaan yang akhirnya membinasakan<br />
Apalah gunanya kematangan fikiran<br />
Bila dijiwa kita masih lagi muda dan<br />
mentah<br />
Ku lihat hijau<br />
Bumiku yang kian pudar<br />
Siapa yang melihat<br />
Di kala kita tersedar<br />
Mungkinkah terlewat<br />
Korupsi, oppressi, obsessi diri<br />
Polussi, depressi di bumi kini<br />
Oo... anok-anok<br />
Tok leh meghaso m<strong>and</strong>i laok<br />
Bersaing main ghama-ghama<br />
Ale lo ni tuo omornyo berjoto<br />
Koto usoho jauh ke daghi malo petako<br />
Ozon lo ni koho nipih nak nak aghi<br />
Keno make asak hok biso, weh<br />
Pase maknusio<br />
Seghemo bendo-bendo di dunio<br />
Tok leh tahe<br />
Sapa bilo-bilo<br />
2<br />
november-december, green+.2014
We’ve found<br />
the perfect spot<br />
to grow the<br />
future.<br />
That’s right, the Earth. Our<br />
interests in agribusiness currently<br />
span across 10 countries while<br />
opportunities for further<br />
expansion continue to knock at<br />
our door. And keen to keep the<br />
planet green, we always take care<br />
to innovate <strong>and</strong> cultivate<br />
responsibly.<br />
For more info, visit www.feldaglobal.com<br />
www.feldaglobal.com<br />
Ingenuity Incorporated
CONTENTS<br />
11 goals towards<br />
a better environment<br />
Implementation of CAAP critical in reducing<br />
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions <strong>and</strong><br />
combating global warming – Pages 12-15<br />
Democratisation<br />
of Malaysia’s<br />
electricity supply<br />
industry<br />
Independent & free solar energy<br />
or harnessing the sun’s energy using Solar<br />
PV for electricity – Pages 16-19<br />
12-15<br />
Regenerative Design,<br />
the Next Conversation of<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Built Environment<br />
Why going ‘<strong>Green</strong>’ is merely the opening<br />
chapter towards the better built environment<br />
we need to be in – Pages 30-33<br />
Key elements must<br />
be clearly stipulated<br />
<strong>and</strong> agreed upon<br />
Investments from EPC projects<br />
implementation could also contribute to the<br />
growth – Pages 34-35<br />
2014 KeTTHA<br />
Excellence Awards<br />
Aim to encourage excellence service,<br />
innovation <strong>and</strong> entrepreneurship – Page 20<br />
2014 MCCC-AEET<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Award<br />
Alwin does Malaysia proud – Page 22<br />
Charging stations<br />
in KL soon<br />
Mindset of associating vehicles with social<br />
status must change – Page 23<br />
‘Change towards<br />
greener lifestyle’<br />
Malaysia managed to reduce more than 33 per<br />
cent carbon emission intensity – Page 24<br />
Royal flavour<br />
HRH Princess Astrid represented the King of<br />
Belgium at the event – Page 25<br />
Malaysia’s great<br />
green potential<br />
Best of Chinese <strong>and</strong> Indian influences<br />
combines with the rich indigenous Malay<br />
culture to create a unique gem of a nation –<br />
Pages 26-27<br />
Building for<br />
a better tomorrow<br />
Inaugural <strong>Green</strong> Buildings & Parks World 2014<br />
designed to provide platform for developers,<br />
professionals <strong>and</strong> government bodies to<br />
converge <strong>and</strong> share – Page 28<br />
20<br />
26-27<br />
Tips for Lifepath<br />
enhancement<br />
House with good Feng Shui features can be<br />
an excellent ‘tool’ or channel for personal<br />
lifestyle <strong>and</strong> lifepath enhancement, include<br />
the health, relationship, prosperity <strong>and</strong><br />
wealth accumulation for family members<br />
– Pages 36-37<br />
Energy efficiency<br />
as a fuel to compete<br />
with electricity generators<br />
All EU-28 countries are legally obliged to<br />
achieve a certain amount of final energy<br />
savings by 2020 – Pages 38-39<br />
MDBC Sustainability<br />
Awards (MSA) 2014 winners!<br />
Submissions considered by panel of<br />
independent, expert judges, led by Chief Judge<br />
H.E. Harry Molenaar – Page 40-41<br />
Sarawak Energy inks<br />
contract with<br />
Shanghai Electric<br />
… for construction of 2 x 300MW Balingian<br />
coal-fired main power plant – Page 42<br />
Sarawak Energy CEO Awarded<br />
CEO Of The Year at 2014 Asian<br />
Power Awards<br />
Datuk Torstein was recognised for his<br />
leadership – Page 43<br />
GPNM seminar on <strong>Green</strong><br />
Initiatives<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Recycling <strong>and</strong> <strong>Green</strong> Purchasing<br />
Opportunities & <strong>Business</strong> partnership<br />
– Pages 44-45<br />
4<br />
november-december, green+.2014
APAC TUNNELS &<br />
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ORGANISED BY:<br />
15 -16 April 2015 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia<br />
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PROJECTS UNDER ONE ROOF<br />
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Website: http://bit.ly/1w9lcG7
CONTENTS<br />
62<br />
Busy as a Bee<br />
Bees actually essential to the life of many<br />
plants – Page 46<br />
Nam Cheong launches<br />
new ‘green’ anchor<br />
h<strong>and</strong>ling tug supply vessel<br />
Not just cost-effective but also fuel efficient<br />
<strong>and</strong> environmentally-<strong>friendly</strong> – Pages 48-49<br />
Weaving hope for<br />
the future<br />
And true beauty is priceless – Page 50<br />
Tea team<br />
produces results<br />
Clones of drought <strong>and</strong> frost resistant tea being<br />
grown – Page 52<br />
Luxury eco-development<br />
at Sanctuary Ridge<br />
PanaHome Malaysia enters JV with Gasing<br />
Meridian – Pages 54-55<br />
Pomeroy Studio<br />
unveil Newpark<br />
A new eco-township set in the 100-year-old<br />
former colonial town of Kluang – Pages 56-57<br />
Shining with<br />
sustainability<br />
System also allows members of staff to<br />
monitor energy consumption daily from<br />
laptops <strong>and</strong> iPhones to ensure it is working<br />
correctly – Page 58<br />
Google: A better web<br />
Better for the environment – Pages 60-61<br />
Two perspectives<br />
on the biosphere<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>nomic growth is useless if all the forests<br />
are gone – Page 62<br />
46<br />
56-57<br />
Why the phrase ‘Busy as a Bee’<br />
may be becoming extinct<br />
Bees actually essential to the life of many<br />
plants – Page 63<br />
Horse Sense<br />
Horse meat was very popular on the menu of<br />
early humans in Eurasia – Page 64<br />
Mad about Madagascar<br />
Science has to struggle with the niches of<br />
each individual species – Page 65<br />
Hydropower means<br />
a lot worldwide<br />
Twenty per cent of global electricity has been<br />
made by using renewable sources this year<br />
– Page 66<br />
If you can’t st<strong>and</strong> the heat...<br />
Warm water now storing heat below the<br />
surface is liable to cause future atmospheric<br />
temperatures to rocket – Page 67<br />
Forest loss in NZ<br />
reveals fire prevention ploys<br />
L<strong>and</strong> use has shifted recently to<br />
accommodate frequent large fires – Page 68<br />
Our ancient ancestors<br />
couldn’t digest milk<br />
Other genes were found relevant to<br />
population changes – Page 69<br />
Climate: What<br />
does the UN want?<br />
Severe irreversible effects must be managed<br />
with stringent mitigation activities – Page 70<br />
Future for Aral<br />
Sea hopefully assured<br />
Still extremely unlikely dead sea will ever<br />
resume its former glory – Page 71<br />
6<br />
november-december, green+.2014
COVER STORY<br />
CLOSING THE DEAL: A Memor<strong>and</strong>um of Underst<strong>and</strong>ing (MoU) for the cooperation was signed by SIRIM Berhad’s President <strong>and</strong> Chief Executive,<br />
Dato’ Dr Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof <strong>and</strong> Fraunhofer‘s Member of the Management Board, Dr. Lorenz Kaiser. The signing, held at the Prime Minister’s<br />
Department in Putrajaya, was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak. Also present at the signing ceremony were Minister of<br />
International Trade <strong>and</strong> Industry Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of Science, Technology <strong>and</strong> Innovation (MOSTI) Datuk Dr. Ewon Ebin, SME<br />
Corp. CEO Dato‘ Hafsah Hashim, <strong>and</strong> SIRIM Chairman Datuk Jamaliah Kamis.<br />
The only<br />
partner<br />
you need<br />
A premier solution provider in<br />
quality <strong>and</strong> technology innovation<br />
By Kevin Wong<br />
SIRIM is a champion of quality <strong>and</strong><br />
a recognised technology partner.<br />
The body, which was incorporated<br />
on Sept 1, 1996 as a wholly-owned<br />
Government institution under the<br />
Ministry of Finance, has over 40 years<br />
of experience <strong>and</strong> expertise in technology<br />
innovation <strong>and</strong> research.<br />
As a premier solution provider,<br />
SIRIM drives quality <strong>and</strong><br />
technology innovations that help<br />
institutions <strong>and</strong> companies to<br />
compete better through every<br />
step of the business value chain.<br />
Its technology focus areas are<br />
aligned with national strategic<br />
initiatives in energy <strong>and</strong> environmental<br />
technologies, plant<br />
<strong>and</strong> machinery expertise <strong>and</strong><br />
medical technologies.<br />
SIRIM is also dedicated to<br />
helping local communities raise<br />
their incomes by improving their<br />
businesses <strong>and</strong> trade practices.<br />
President <strong>and</strong> CE Dato’Dr<br />
Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof<br />
said while big multinational<br />
corporations (MNCs) <strong>and</strong><br />
government-linked companies<br />
(GLCs) have their own research<br />
<strong>and</strong> development units, the small<br />
<strong>and</strong> medium enterprises (SMEs)<br />
do not have that luxury.<br />
“A partnership is critical for<br />
SMEs which lack research <strong>and</strong><br />
development capabilities,” said<br />
Dr Zainal Abidin.<br />
“They can rely only on someone<br />
like us. That’s where we come<br />
in, to form a strategic alliance.”<br />
“We can provide R&D capabilities,<br />
design <strong>and</strong> engineering<br />
expertise as well as st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
consulting all under one roof. We<br />
combine technological innovation<br />
with a business-oriented<br />
approach that delivers products<br />
<strong>and</strong> solutions which are relevant<br />
to today’s marketplace.”<br />
As the national st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
development agency, SIRIM’s<br />
extensive expertise in st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
<strong>and</strong> certification helps<br />
SMEs meet the requirements of<br />
international markets. Dr Zainal<br />
Abidin said their network of<br />
regional offices would offer support<br />
nationwide.<br />
SIRIM’s consultants could<br />
help evaluate the commercial<br />
viability of ideas, turn it into a<br />
solid product proposal <strong>and</strong> then<br />
build a working prototype of the<br />
product. That can be followed by<br />
organizing product trials, quality<br />
improvement initiatives <strong>and</strong><br />
other pre-commercialisation<br />
activities before designing the<br />
product packaging <strong>and</strong> final<br />
proof-of-concept.<br />
SIRIM’s services are built<br />
around three business areas<br />
that have the most impact on the<br />
world’s economic <strong>and</strong> societal<br />
well-being: industrial machinery,<br />
ecological sustainability <strong>and</strong><br />
healthcare.<br />
These business lines are<br />
served by professionals in<br />
multidisciplinary ‘flagships’<br />
that offer end-to-end solutions<br />
across the value chain – from<br />
product designers <strong>and</strong> researchers<br />
to st<strong>and</strong>ards experts <strong>and</strong><br />
8<br />
november-december, green+.2014
COVER STORY<br />
We can provide R&D<br />
capabilities, design <strong>and</strong><br />
engineering expertise<br />
as well as st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
consulting all under<br />
one roof. We combine<br />
technological innovation<br />
with a business-oriented<br />
approach that delivers<br />
products <strong>and</strong> solutions<br />
which are relevant to<br />
today’s marketplace.<br />
– SIRIM President <strong>and</strong> CEO<br />
Dato Dr Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof<br />
testing technicians.<br />
“Basically, SIRIM offers everything<br />
you need under one roof,”<br />
added Dr Zainal Abidin.<br />
He pointed out the key areas in<br />
SIRIM’s capabilities as:<br />
PLANT & MACHINERY: SIRIM’s<br />
engineers <strong>and</strong> consultants can<br />
design solutions for various<br />
industries including food <strong>and</strong><br />
agriculture, construction, manufacturing<br />
<strong>and</strong> line assembly.<br />
Design <strong>and</strong> modelling<br />
Machine design<br />
Plant engineering<br />
System design<br />
Tooling <strong>and</strong> component<br />
development<br />
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT: Like<br />
the rest of the world, Malaysia<br />
needs to achieve greater energy<br />
independence. SIRIM is focused<br />
on supporting businesses<br />
committed to environmental<br />
conservation <strong>and</strong> to mitigating<br />
the effects of climate change.<br />
Energy generation<br />
Energy storage<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>-product development<br />
Environmental technologies<br />
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY: SIRIM<br />
researchers have made important<br />
advances in medical<br />
technology over the years. Many<br />
of these innovative technologies<br />
are available for licensing <strong>and</strong><br />
commercialisation.<br />
Drug delivery systems<br />
Implants/prostheses<br />
Medical devices <strong>and</strong><br />
equipment<br />
“Our experts are well-versed<br />
at developing full-scale pilot<br />
plants for all kinds of products.<br />
We help ensure that products<br />
meet local <strong>and</strong> global product<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ards during <strong>and</strong> after full<br />
scale-up. And if you have an idea<br />
we have not yet explored, we<br />
would love to hear from you.”<br />
“We also offer independent<br />
third party testing, inspection <strong>and</strong><br />
verification services to ensure<br />
that products or services comply<br />
with local <strong>and</strong> global regulations,”<br />
said Dr Zainal Abidin.<br />
SIRIM’s extensive experience<br />
in R&D gives their professionals<br />
a unique underst<strong>and</strong>ing of what<br />
makes a good product. They can<br />
determine if a product is commercially<br />
suitable, <strong>and</strong> actively<br />
collaborate with other research<br />
institutions, government agencies<br />
<strong>and</strong> businesses to develop<br />
new, innovative products.<br />
By leveraging on their<br />
expertise <strong>and</strong> experience, SMEs<br />
especially can benefit from<br />
their full range of products <strong>and</strong><br />
services as well as their state-ofthe-art<br />
facilities.<br />
SIRIM <strong>and</strong> Fraunhofer<br />
of Germany tie-up<br />
to assist local SMEs<br />
adopt technological<br />
innovation<br />
SIRIM on December 2 established a strategic cooperation relationship<br />
with renowned German research organisation, Fraunhofer<br />
Gesellschaft Institute (Fraunhofer), Europe’s largest applicationoriented<br />
research organisation.<br />
The strategic alliance with Fraunhofer was made to strengthen<br />
SMEs development in the country through adapting the German<br />
eco-system of SME development, <strong>and</strong> to collaborate in advanced<br />
technologies, commercialization <strong>and</strong> upscaling.<br />
A Memor<strong>and</strong>um of Underst<strong>and</strong>ing (MoU) for the cooperation<br />
was signed by SIRIM Berhad’s President <strong>and</strong> Chief Executive,<br />
Dato’ Dr Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof <strong>and</strong> Fraunhofer‘s Member of<br />
the Management Board, Dr. Lorenz Kaiser. The signing, held at<br />
the Prime Minister’s Department in Putrajaya, was witnessed<br />
by Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak. Also present at<br />
the signing ceremony were Minister of International Trade<br />
<strong>and</strong> Industry Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of Science,<br />
Technology <strong>and</strong> Innovation (MOSTI) Datuk Dr. Ewon Ebin, SME<br />
Corp. CEO Dato‘ Hafsah Hashim, <strong>and</strong> SIRIM Chairman Datuk<br />
Jamaliah Kamis.<br />
Fraunhofer is one of Europe’s largest research institutions with<br />
more than 23,000 employees <strong>and</strong> 67 institutes with an annual<br />
research budget amounting to 2 billion Euros. The key objective of<br />
Fraunhofer is to transform scientific expertise into applications<br />
to benefit private <strong>and</strong> public enterprise <strong>and</strong> society as a whole.<br />
As a link between academic research <strong>and</strong> business practice,<br />
Fraunhofer contributes considerably to technology transfer<br />
between universities <strong>and</strong> industry.<br />
SIRIM has always significantly contributed to the growth<br />
of both large industrial players <strong>and</strong> the small <strong>and</strong> medium<br />
entrepreneurs by focusing on discovering <strong>and</strong> developing<br />
new technologies that bring about improvements, impact <strong>and</strong><br />
competitive advantage to the Malaysian industry.<br />
Dr Zainal Abidin said, SIRIM has introduced the Industrial<br />
Innovation Model, which adopted <strong>and</strong> adapted the principles of the<br />
Fraunhofer model on applied research for SME development, to<br />
push the initiative of SME technology penetration, upgrading <strong>and</strong><br />
technology audit.<br />
Through this platform, the Malaysian Industrial Innovation<br />
Network would be established from qualified Centres of<br />
Excellence to pool technical competencies <strong>and</strong> technologies to<br />
provide technological solutions for industries, he said.<br />
“SIRIM will leverage on Fraunhofer network of institutes to<br />
increase technology uptake of SMEs, with emphasis on joint<br />
research <strong>and</strong> technical services; exchange of personnel <strong>and</strong><br />
information; <strong>and</strong> strategic innovation studies,” he said.<br />
Cooperation between SIRIM <strong>and</strong> Fraunhofer will encompass<br />
on the following fields of key interest: Health <strong>and</strong> Environment,<br />
Mobility <strong>and</strong> Transportation, Communication <strong>and</strong> Information,<br />
Energy <strong>and</strong> Resources, Production <strong>and</strong> Services as well as Safety<br />
<strong>and</strong> Security.<br />
Both research institutes will also cooperate in strategic studies<br />
on the basis of shared analysis <strong>and</strong> regular monitoring of market<br />
developments in Malaysia; initialisation <strong>and</strong> implementation of<br />
R&D projects to support the development of regional enterprises;<br />
<strong>and</strong> joint organisation of conferences, workshops <strong>and</strong> seminars.<br />
The collaboration will be for a period of two years.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 9
ENERGY<br />
SIRIM introduces new labels<br />
with enhanced security features<br />
Launches carbon footprint certification scheme <strong>and</strong> SIRIM <strong>Eco</strong>-Innovation Services<br />
By Kevin Wong<br />
CARBON FOOTPRINT<br />
SIRIM QAS International<br />
Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary<br />
of SIRIM Berhad,<br />
will introduce new<br />
design labels for its<br />
Product Certification Scheme,<br />
with enhanced security features<br />
beginning January 1, 2015.<br />
The introduction of the<br />
labels is in line with efforts to<br />
ensure consumer goods such<br />
as electrical, helmets, seat<br />
belts <strong>and</strong> fire protection equipment<br />
controlled by the Energy<br />
Commission, Department of<br />
Road Transport Malaysia<br />
<strong>and</strong> Malaysian Fire <strong>and</strong><br />
Rescue Department, pass<br />
the required testings <strong>and</strong><br />
only use valid labels from<br />
SIRIM.<br />
The new labels are<br />
equipped with enhanced<br />
security features including the<br />
use of thermochromic ink <strong>and</strong><br />
new designs; are applicable to all<br />
controlled items except telecommunications<br />
<strong>and</strong> multimedia<br />
devices that will continue to use<br />
the existing labels.<br />
SIRIM Berhad’s Senior Director<br />
of Energy <strong>and</strong> Environment<br />
Flagship, Research <strong>and</strong><br />
Technology Innovation Division,<br />
Dr Chen Sau Soon said: “The<br />
carbon footprint label is being<br />
used in Thail<strong>and</strong>, Korea, Japan,<br />
China <strong>and</strong> Europe.<br />
“The scheme is another step<br />
forward to reduce CO2 emissions.<br />
A group of companies has successfully<br />
received the honour<br />
of being among the first manufacturers<br />
to have their products<br />
certified under the scheme, with<br />
carbon footprint information<br />
displayed on their products.”<br />
The labelling scheme was<br />
developed as a result of the<br />
Switch-Asia Grant to SIRIM<br />
Berhad for the development of<br />
an Environmental Declaration<br />
Scheme for Construction <strong>and</strong><br />
SIRIM <strong>Eco</strong>-Innovation Services was launched by Minister of Science, Technology <strong>and</strong> Innovation, Datuk Dr.<br />
Ewon Ebin in conjunction with the opening of the National Innovation Conference <strong>and</strong> Exhibition (NICE) 2014<br />
. SIRIM <strong>Eco</strong>-Innovation Services is aimed at packaging economic <strong>and</strong> environmental target into business<br />
strategies to enable companies gain competitive advantage, new market segment, or new revenue stream.<br />
Building Materials.<br />
Chen added SIRIM also<br />
developed a toolkit called<br />
the Karbon Kalkulator to<br />
enable companies calculate<br />
carbon emissions,<br />
based on the specific PCRs.<br />
The verification of the data<br />
collected according to the<br />
requirements of each PCR is then<br />
done by SIRIM QAS International,<br />
as an independent third party<br />
certification body. If the results<br />
are acceptable, certification will<br />
be granted.<br />
SIRIM Berhad began work on<br />
the scheme in January last year,<br />
with 45 companies invited to<br />
participate.<br />
Chen pointed out the response<br />
by the companies has been very<br />
encouraging, despite participation<br />
being on a voluntary basis.<br />
After several engagement<br />
sessions to explain to them the<br />
relevance of this scheme, SIRIM<br />
is now assisting them via the<br />
Karbon Kalkulator to calculate the<br />
carbon figures.<br />
SIRIM QAS International<br />
Sustainability Certification<br />
Section Head Aminah Ang said<br />
the main objective of the carbon<br />
footprint labelling scheme was<br />
to develop guidelines, tools<br />
<strong>and</strong> supporting mechanisms<br />
for product footprinting <strong>and</strong><br />
Dr. Chen Sau Soon, Senior<br />
Director, Energy <strong>and</strong> Environment<br />
Flagship, Research <strong>and</strong><br />
Technology Innovation Division,<br />
SIRIM Berhad<br />
labelling that meet the needs<br />
of the local <strong>and</strong> international<br />
market, <strong>and</strong> to create the<br />
recognition <strong>and</strong> preference for<br />
sustainable products from small<br />
<strong>and</strong> medium enterprises.<br />
She added that purchasers<br />
<strong>and</strong> users would find the scheme<br />
helpful in making product comparison.<br />
Companies could make<br />
an assessment of the carbon<br />
footprint based on the figure<br />
printed on the product.<br />
The scheme also aims to<br />
provide information for assessing<br />
the environmental impact of<br />
products over their life cycle <strong>and</strong><br />
encourage continuous improvement<br />
of the environmental<br />
performance of products.<br />
“The scheme will provide a<br />
quantified greenhouse gas profile<br />
for the life cycle of a product<br />
to enable better comparisons<br />
between products,” she pointed<br />
out.<br />
SIRIM ECO-INNOVATION<br />
SERVICES<br />
The newly launched SIRIM <strong>Eco</strong>-<br />
Innovation Services is aimed at<br />
packaging economic <strong>and</strong> environmental<br />
target into business<br />
strategies to enable companies<br />
gain competitive advantage, new<br />
market segment, or new revenue<br />
stream.<br />
The business model that will<br />
be developed will identify innovations<br />
whether at the product<br />
(goods/services) level, market<br />
approach <strong>and</strong> even organisation<br />
structure.<br />
The SIRIM <strong>Eco</strong>-Innovation<br />
Services was launched by<br />
Minister of Science, Technology<br />
<strong>and</strong> Innovation, Datuk Dr.<br />
Ewon Ebin in conjunction with<br />
the opening of the National<br />
Innovation Conference <strong>and</strong><br />
Exhibition (NICE) 2014 here,<br />
Friday.<br />
SIRIM’s President <strong>and</strong> Chief<br />
Executive Dato’ Dr. Zainal Abidin<br />
10<br />
november-december, green+.2014
ENERGY<br />
Mohd Yusof said in line with global<br />
trends especially in developed<br />
countries to decouple the link<br />
between economic growth <strong>and</strong><br />
environmental emissions in an<br />
economy, SIRIM has taken steps<br />
to develop a new area of service<br />
that intertwines economic <strong>and</strong><br />
environmental benefits.<br />
“The eco-innovation service<br />
incorporates the business<br />
approach while addressing sustainability<br />
challenges,” he said.<br />
“Using existing expertise<br />
in eco-materials, eco-design,<br />
renewable energy, cleaner<br />
production, resource recovery,<br />
pollution abatement, accredited<br />
<strong>and</strong> OECD-GLP recognised<br />
testing, <strong>and</strong> environmental management<br />
techniques, SIRIM will<br />
assist local companies produce<br />
eco-products (including services)<br />
<strong>and</strong> enhance their marketability<br />
through instruments such as<br />
eco-labels <strong>and</strong> carbon footprint<br />
labels,” he added.<br />
Dato’ Dr Zainal Abidin said, it is<br />
SIRIM’s aspiration to maximise its<br />
multi-disciplinary human capital<br />
<strong>and</strong> well-equipped facilities,<br />
the most recent being the <strong>Eco</strong>-<br />
Industrial Design Centre (EIDC) to<br />
contribute towards societal wellbeing<br />
<strong>and</strong> business sustainability.<br />
Companies or organisations<br />
that adopted the <strong>Eco</strong>-Innovation<br />
business model, among other<br />
things will gain added value such<br />
as access to new <strong>and</strong> emerging<br />
markets, being ahead of st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
<strong>and</strong> regulations, attract<br />
financial resources, reduce production<br />
costs along their value<br />
chain, <strong>and</strong> increase their productivity<br />
<strong>and</strong> technical capacity.<br />
As a service provider of <strong>Eco</strong>-<br />
Innovation, SIRIM will enhance<br />
business performance <strong>and</strong><br />
growth through services that<br />
include:<br />
Pollution Abatement<br />
GLP Compliance<br />
Carbon Footprint<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>-label<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>-product<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>-design<br />
Resource Efficiency<br />
Renewables<br />
Cleaner Production<br />
Resource Recovery<br />
SIRIM also offers Testing<br />
Services to support<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>-Innovation which include<br />
Non-Clinical Testing (Industrial<br />
Chemicals, Cosmetics, Pesticides<br />
<strong>and</strong> Pharmaceuticals), Chemical<br />
<strong>and</strong> Consumer Products Testing,<br />
Material Characterisation,<br />
Mechanical Testing, Physical<br />
Mechanical Testing, <strong>and</strong> Electrical<br />
<strong>and</strong> Electronics.<br />
Other testing services offered<br />
are Energy Efficiency, Plastics<br />
Testing, Civil <strong>and</strong> Construction<br />
Testing, Fire Testing, Radio<br />
Frequency <strong>and</strong> Electromagnetic<br />
Compatibility; <strong>and</strong> Microbiological<br />
Test.<br />
The SIRIM <strong>Eco</strong>-Innovation<br />
Services also consists of services<br />
by SIRIM’s new <strong>Eco</strong>-Industrial<br />
Design Centre (EIDC) which was<br />
set up as cross-cutting enabler to<br />
drive the manufacturing <strong>and</strong> service<br />
sectors towards sustainability<br />
<strong>and</strong> global competitiveness.<br />
The scheme<br />
will provide<br />
a quantified<br />
greenhouse gas<br />
profile for the life<br />
cycle of a product<br />
to enable better<br />
comparisons<br />
between<br />
products.<br />
– SIRIM QAS International<br />
Sustainability Certification<br />
section head Aminah Ang<br />
Dr Ewon: Environmental<br />
labeling gaining acceptance<br />
By Kevin Wong<br />
THE world’s witnessing<br />
various challenges where<br />
physical development needs<br />
to be in equilibrium with the<br />
environment. In relation to<br />
this, said Minister of Science,<br />
Technology <strong>and</strong> Innovation,<br />
Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin, the world<br />
has begun to see the effects<br />
<strong>and</strong> changes caused by<br />
environmental crises across<br />
the borders. He pointed out<br />
this did not only affect the<br />
environment <strong>and</strong> the people’s<br />
well-being but also economic<br />
development.<br />
“Therefore, the industrial<br />
sector should also play a<br />
role to reduce the impact of<br />
global warming now. This<br />
can be done by reducing the<br />
carbon footprint by all parties<br />
in the country’s efforts to<br />
move towards becoming a<br />
developed nation to be in line<br />
with the sustainable management<br />
of natural resources <strong>and</strong><br />
biodiversity conservation in<br />
the country,” said Dr Ewon in<br />
his speech at the 2014 Sirim-<br />
Industry Night on Nov 21.<br />
“It is in response to this<br />
that the Carbon Footprint<br />
Certification Scheme was<br />
introduced, to reduce the<br />
impact of human activity<br />
on the climate through<br />
carbon footprint. The Carbon<br />
Footprint Certification<br />
Scheme is based on the<br />
Declaration of st<strong>and</strong>ard ISO /<br />
TS 14067.<br />
“Through these certification<br />
schemes, the greenhouse<br />
gas emissions associated with<br />
the product will be measured<br />
using a life cycle approach<br />
(LCA) to ensure the product<br />
is produced <strong>and</strong> used in the<br />
most sustainable way.”<br />
The scheme was<br />
developed due to the growing<br />
impact of global warming on<br />
the world. It’s without doubt<br />
that climate change is closely<br />
linked with global warming<br />
<strong>and</strong> seriously threatened the<br />
environment <strong>and</strong> sustainable<br />
development, thereby affecting<br />
the welfare of mankind<br />
<strong>and</strong> the global economy.<br />
Accordingly, efforts<br />
to develop a certification<br />
scheme by SIRIM QAS, a<br />
subsidiary of SIRIM Berhad,<br />
are expected from industry<br />
players <strong>and</strong> entrepreneurs in<br />
the country.<br />
“Environmental labeling<br />
is gaining acceptance as an<br />
instrument for improving the<br />
sustainability of the industry<br />
<strong>and</strong> to prevent pollution,<br />
whether in Malaysia or<br />
internationally.<br />
“The initiatives to create<br />
a certification scheme for<br />
sustainable products are also<br />
in line with one of the main<br />
goals under the 10th Malaysia<br />
Plan, namely Shaping Climate<br />
Resilient Development<br />
Strategies For Malaysia.<br />
“Product certification<br />
under the Carbon Footprint<br />
Certification Scheme will to<br />
some extent help achieve<br />
our national goals to reduce<br />
carbon emissions by up to<br />
40 per cent by 2020,” added<br />
Dr Ewon. The development<br />
of Carbon Footprint Labeling<br />
Program in SIRIM started in<br />
2013 through collaboration<br />
between SIRIM, Carbon Trust<br />
(CT), Association of Malaysian<br />
Manufacturers (FMM),<br />
the Federation of Malaysia<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Building (GBC) <strong>and</strong><br />
the Association of Building<br />
Materials Distributor Malaysia<br />
(Samdam).<br />
Carbon Footprint<br />
Certification Scheme was<br />
initially open to local companies<br />
in the construction <strong>and</strong><br />
building materials sector. A<br />
total of 45 companies from<br />
building materials sector<br />
have registered to participate<br />
in the pilot program for this<br />
certification scheme. This<br />
scheme will be phased into<br />
other sectors.<br />
Through these certification<br />
schemes, these companies<br />
can report the performance of<br />
their products to customers<br />
in terms of product impact on<br />
the environment throughout<br />
the life cycle of the product.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 11
ENVIRONMENT<br />
PART 1<br />
ENVIRONMENT has always<br />
been a concern for Malaysia.<br />
In an interview with<br />
<strong><strong>Green</strong>+</strong>, Datuk Seri G.<br />
Palanivel, the Minister of<br />
Natural Resources <strong>and</strong> Environment,<br />
said they had identified several action<br />
plans to improve the environment.<br />
They are:<br />
a. Emission Reduction of <strong>Green</strong>house<br />
Gases (GHG)<br />
b. Development of Malaysian<br />
Environmental Performance Index<br />
(EPI)<br />
c. Utilizing Global Environment Facility<br />
Fund (GEF) for Global Environmental<br />
Benefits<br />
d. Strengthen Environmental Quality<br />
Act (1974)<br />
e. Strengthen Enforcement Activities<br />
f. Enhancing Water Quality<br />
g. Enhancing Marine Water Quality<br />
h. Enhancing Air Quality<br />
i. Protecting Ozone Layer<br />
j. Development of Environmental<br />
Awareness <strong>and</strong> Commitment Index<br />
k. Enhance Awareness on Environment<br />
<strong>and</strong> Climate Change<br />
EMISSION REDUCTION OF<br />
GREENHOUSE GASES (GHG)<br />
Palanivel said the Clean Air Action Plan<br />
(CAAP) was drawn up in line with the<br />
“7th <strong>Green</strong> Strategy” in the National<br />
Policy on the Environment. The CAAP<br />
presented a set of strategies <strong>and</strong> indicators<br />
that together provide a roadmap<br />
to achieve better air quality by reducing<br />
the frequency, severity <strong>and</strong> duration of<br />
poor air quality episodes.<br />
In the implementation of the CAAP,<br />
apart from achieving good air quality,<br />
it also generates co-benefit in terms of<br />
reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions<br />
<strong>and</strong> combating global warming.<br />
“Major contributors of GHG emissions<br />
that are addressed in the Plan<br />
include emissions from motor vehicles,<br />
industries, forest fires <strong>and</strong> open burning<br />
activities. It is also aimed at contributing<br />
to the country’s commitment of achieving<br />
a 40% reduction in carbon intensity<br />
by the year 2020,” said Palanivel.<br />
Example of efforts to combat<br />
climate change outlined in the Plan are<br />
as follows:-<br />
(a) Improvement in emission st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
from motor vehicles;<br />
(b) Improvement in fuel quality; <strong>and</strong><br />
(c) Implementation of the Fire Prevention<br />
Programme at Peat L<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
DEVELOPMENT OF<br />
MALAYSIAN ENVIRONMENTAL<br />
PERFORMANCE INDEX (EPI)<br />
Palanivel pointed out Malaysia was<br />
enhancing its monitoring network<br />
11 goals towards a<br />
better environment<br />
Implementation of CAAP critical in reducing greenhouse gas<br />
(GHG) emissions <strong>and</strong> combating global warming<br />
By JOHNSON<br />
FERNANDEZ<br />
Datuk Seri<br />
G. Palanivel<br />
Major contributors of<br />
GHG emissions that are<br />
addressed in the Plan<br />
include emissions from<br />
motor vehicles, industries,<br />
forest fires <strong>and</strong> open burning<br />
activities. It is also aimed at<br />
contributing to the country’s<br />
commitment of achieving<br />
a 40% reduction in carbon<br />
intensity by the year 2020.<br />
to include monitoring of PM2.5 in the<br />
ambient air. The full coverage of the<br />
network is expected to be completed<br />
early 2015. With the establishment of<br />
the PM2.5 network, Malaysia will be in<br />
a position to provide sufficient information<br />
for the PM2.5 component in the<br />
Malaysia EPI.<br />
STRENGTHENING THE<br />
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY<br />
ACT (1974) AND ENFORCEMENT<br />
ACTIVITIES<br />
With regards to strengthening the<br />
enforcement activity for the environmental<br />
protection <strong>and</strong> conservation,<br />
the Department of Environmental<br />
has made some amendments to the<br />
Environmental Quality Act, 1974 in 2012.<br />
“We took some pro-active measures,”<br />
said Palanivel, listing them<br />
down as below.<br />
1. Deterrent Enforcement<br />
Enforcement of environmental laws<br />
under the Environmental Quality<br />
(Amendment) Act 2012 emphasizes<br />
the element of prudence <strong>and</strong> strict<br />
enforcement (deterrent measures)<br />
with amendments <strong>and</strong> additional provisions,<br />
such as a higher increase<br />
in fines under Section 34A (8), a prohibition<br />
order <strong>and</strong> stop work order<br />
under Section 34AA <strong>and</strong> the power<br />
to arrest under Section 37C. Through<br />
strict implementation of the provisions<br />
under EQA <strong>and</strong> deterrent enforcement,<br />
the process of nation-building can<br />
be achieved in a sustainable manner<br />
through awareness <strong>and</strong> high commitment<br />
of developers <strong>and</strong> industries<br />
on the aspects of environmental<br />
management.<br />
12<br />
november-december, green+.2014
ENVIRONMENT<br />
National Park,<br />
Terengganu.<br />
2. Self Regulatory<br />
Through the provision of Section 49A,<br />
such as a competent person <strong>and</strong> special<br />
provisions under the Environmental<br />
Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations<br />
2005, Environmental Quality (Sewage)<br />
Regulations 2009, Environmental<br />
Quality (Industrial Effluents)<br />
Regulations 2009 <strong>and</strong> Environmental<br />
Quality (Clean Air) Regulations 2014,<br />
the developers <strong>and</strong> industry players<br />
need to self - monitor their own process<br />
activities <strong>and</strong> management of<br />
the waste so that its complies with the<br />
requirement under EQA. Each <strong>and</strong> every<br />
industry or project needs to have dedicated<br />
competent persons (recognized<br />
by the Department of Environment<br />
(DOE) through certification programs)<br />
that will be responsible in environmental<br />
management of industrial involved<br />
segment of scheduled wastes, water<br />
<strong>and</strong> air as to ensure compliance with<br />
the st<strong>and</strong>ards set limits <strong>and</strong> without<br />
the need for regular inspections<br />
by the DOE. This indirectly also optimizes<br />
the use of resources, whether in<br />
the industry or DOE. Self-monitoring<br />
<strong>and</strong> self-reporting by industrial sectors<br />
also involved the use of applications<br />
system such as continuous emission<br />
monitoring system (CEMS) for monitoring<br />
of emissions to air in real time;<br />
electronic consignment note (E-CN) for<br />
monitoring the production, movement<br />
<strong>and</strong> disposal of scheduled wastes; <strong>and</strong><br />
monthly discharge monitoring report<br />
(MDMR ) for effluent discharge monitoring<br />
<strong>and</strong> reporting. Performance<br />
monitoring aspects on pollution control<br />
equipment whether water or air is also<br />
applied in respect of self-regulatory<br />
program. This is to enable the industry<br />
to monitor <strong>and</strong> ensure that pollution<br />
control equipment operates optimally<br />
at all times, thereby ensuring compliance<br />
with emissions or discharges limit.<br />
3. Continuous revision of the environmental<br />
rules <strong>and</strong> regulations<br />
Revisions, amendments <strong>and</strong> development<br />
of regulations under the<br />
Environmental Quality Act 1974 also<br />
made holistic so that it is more comprehensive,<br />
effective <strong>and</strong> consistent with<br />
the current technology (best available<br />
techniques economically achievable).<br />
Studies also made before any<br />
regulations enacted or amended to<br />
enable DOE to assess whether limits<br />
or st<strong>and</strong>ards can be achieved by the<br />
industry in line with the availability<br />
of technology or technology-related<br />
changes related to pollution control. In<br />
addition, the stakeholder’s consultation<br />
Paya Indah<br />
Wetl<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
The river water quality<br />
information provided from<br />
monitoring program will assist<br />
the enforcement in many<br />
ways such as identifying<br />
possible polluter, assessing<br />
their effectiveness <strong>and</strong> helping<br />
in strategizing stronger<br />
enforcement in the future.<br />
was also held to obtain feedback from<br />
stakeholders in the industry to enable<br />
compliance with the prescribed limits<br />
or st<strong>and</strong>ards can be achieved (achievable)<br />
<strong>and</strong> can be effectively enforced<br />
by the DOE (enforceable) <strong>and</strong> to protect<br />
public health <strong>and</strong> safety.<br />
4. Internal Control<br />
In addition to the setting rules <strong>and</strong> limits<br />
or st<strong>and</strong>ards under the Environmental<br />
Quality Act 1974, the DOE also improve,<br />
update <strong>and</strong> provide training on internal<br />
work procedures or St<strong>and</strong>ard Operating<br />
Procedures (SOPs). The DOE given priority<br />
<strong>and</strong> emphasis on investigation<br />
of the repeated complaints cases <strong>and</strong><br />
emergency cases related to pollution,<br />
especially those involving the interests<br />
of public health <strong>and</strong> safety including<br />
illegal dumping of scheduled waste,<br />
illegal discharges into river <strong>and</strong> open<br />
burning. Continuous monitoring <strong>and</strong><br />
enforcement of the sources of pollution<br />
made through early detection approach<br />
such as Pollution Sources Survey<br />
(PSS). Enforcement is also through the<br />
involvement of public which involves<br />
active participant from Rakan Alam<br />
Sekitar (RAS) which is called Pollution<br />
Monitoring Team (Pasukan Pemantau<br />
Pencemaran - 3P).<br />
ENHANCING WATER QUALITY<br />
An essential part in enhancing water<br />
quality is river quality monitoring.<br />
Consistent <strong>and</strong> long-term monitoring<br />
strategies will provide valuable information<br />
on pollutants content levels<br />
in rivers. Such information helps to<br />
strengthened enforcement activities<br />
apart from shaping our future development<br />
planning while preserving river<br />
water quality at its best state.<br />
“Currently, DOE is implementing<br />
the river water quality monitoring<br />
through its 891 manual stations <strong>and</strong> 10<br />
automatic stations covering 477 rivers<br />
within 140 identified river basins. Fiftyfive<br />
of the manual stations have been<br />
set up to monitor river water quality at<br />
upstream of selected raw water intake<br />
for domestic raw water treatment<br />
plants.<br />
“DOE will continue to step up its<br />
enforcement on pollution sources <strong>and</strong><br />
industries discharging effluents into<br />
rivers to ensure all related legal requirements<br />
stated in Environmental Quality<br />
Act, 1974 were successfully complied<br />
with.<br />
”The river water quality information<br />
provided from monitoring<br />
program will assist the enforcement<br />
in many ways such as identifying<br />
possible polluter, assessing their effectiveness<br />
<strong>and</strong> helping in strategizing<br />
green+.2014, november-december 13
ENVIRONMENT<br />
stronger enforcement in the future,”<br />
added Palanivel.<br />
In 2013, there were 275 (58%) rivers<br />
classified as clean, 173 (36%) slightly<br />
polluted <strong>and</strong> 29 (6%) as polluted based<br />
on river Water Quality Index. The<br />
percentage of clean rivers has slightly<br />
decreased by 0.6% compared to previous<br />
year. The same trend also has been<br />
recorded in the number of polluted<br />
rivers which has decreased by 1.9%.<br />
ENHANCING MARINE<br />
WATER QUALITY<br />
The Minister said Malaysia implemented<br />
various strategies in order to enhance<br />
the marine water quality status for<br />
beneficial uses in particular to recreation,<br />
fishing <strong>and</strong> marine parks. Efforts<br />
undertaken by the Department of<br />
Environment Malaysia (DOE) to curb the<br />
pollution namely from shipping activities,<br />
oil <strong>and</strong> gas exploration, marine<br />
installation <strong>and</strong> ports activities include:<br />
i. Enforcement via Environmental<br />
Quality Act, 1974 <strong>and</strong> Exclusive<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>nomic Zone Act, 1984 to ensure<br />
effective control of sources of marine<br />
pollution <strong>and</strong> illegal discharges;<br />
ii. Implementation of National Marine<br />
Water Quality Monitoring program<br />
that consists of 321 monitoring<br />
stations that was established at<br />
estuaries (76), isl<strong>and</strong>s (90) <strong>and</strong><br />
coastal areas (155). Based on the<br />
marine water quality monitoring<br />
data in 2013, 30 stations were<br />
categorized as poor, 229 stations<br />
categorized as moderate, 56 stations<br />
categorized as good <strong>and</strong> 6 stations<br />
were categorized as excellent.<br />
iii. Established the sustainable development<br />
through conservation of<br />
resources via Environmental Impact<br />
Assessment (EIA);<br />
iv. Promotion of environmental education<br />
<strong>and</strong> awareness through forums,<br />
joint programs <strong>and</strong> seminars such<br />
as National Oil Spill Combat Exercise<br />
that engaged other relevant government<br />
agencies, port <strong>and</strong> platform<br />
operators as well as industries;<br />
v. Inter-Agency <strong>and</strong> Federal-State<br />
Cooperation via joint enforcement;<br />
vi. Strengthening the bilateral, regional<br />
<strong>and</strong> international cooperation<br />
between littoral states <strong>and</strong> ASEAN<br />
countries; <strong>and</strong><br />
vii. Implementation of National Oil Spill<br />
Combat Plan (NOSCP) during oil spill<br />
incidence in Malaysian waters.<br />
ENHANCING AIR QUALITY<br />
As an enforcement agency, the DOE<br />
had been enforcing the Environmental<br />
Quality Act 1974, to control emissions<br />
from various sources such as industries<br />
National Park,<br />
Pahang.<br />
<strong>and</strong> motor vehicles with the view that<br />
Malaysians will enjoy a cleaner, safer<br />
environment <strong>and</strong> at the same time have<br />
a better quality of life.<br />
“In addition, the Clean Air Action<br />
Plan (CAAP) was drawn up in line<br />
with the ‘7th <strong>Green</strong> Strategy’ in the<br />
National Policy on the Environment.<br />
The CAAP presents a set of strategies<br />
<strong>and</strong> indicators that together provide a<br />
roadmap to achieve better air quality<br />
by reducing the frequency, severity <strong>and</strong><br />
duration of poor air quality episodes,”<br />
said Palanivel.<br />
Referring to the recent transboundary<br />
haze, Palanivel said Malaysia has<br />
urged Indonesia to immediately extinguish<br />
l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> forest fires in Sumatra<br />
that are causing the haze in the country.<br />
The urge was extended to Indonesia in a<br />
letter by Department of Environment’s<br />
Director-General to her Indonesian<br />
counterpart recently. The letter<br />
expressed Malaysia’s concern with the<br />
We may not guarantee that<br />
the haze will not return, but<br />
Malaysia is hopeful that nations<br />
affected by the haze would<br />
be able to find a joint solution<br />
in the spirit of ASEAN <strong>and</strong><br />
continuously take preventive<br />
measures to prevent l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
forest fires <strong>and</strong> the recurrence of<br />
transboundary haze.<br />
increase of hotspots which cause haze<br />
intermittently in the country since June<br />
2014. The southwest monsoon played<br />
a major role in bringing the haze to<br />
Malaysia <strong>and</strong> this was expected to continue<br />
until middle of September 2014.<br />
“As transboundary haze pollution<br />
remained a major <strong>and</strong> persistent challenge<br />
to ASEAN region, we must not<br />
quit from finding concrete solutions <strong>and</strong><br />
retain our momentum in tackling this<br />
perennial problem. ASEAN member<br />
nations must acutely implement the<br />
action plan at ground for the initiative<br />
to witness tangible outcomes.<br />
“We may not guarantee that the<br />
haze will not return, but Malaysia<br />
is hopeful that nations affected by<br />
the haze would be able to find a joint<br />
solution in the spirit of ASEAN <strong>and</strong><br />
continuously take preventive measures<br />
to prevent l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> forest fires <strong>and</strong> the<br />
recurrence of transboundary haze,”<br />
said Palanivel<br />
At national level, Malaysia will continue<br />
to take all necessary mitigating<br />
measures to prevent haze resulting<br />
from local sources such as open burning,<br />
emissions from motor vehicles <strong>and</strong><br />
industries <strong>and</strong> earth works activities.<br />
Malaysia has also prepared a plan of<br />
actions to face with a likelihood of<br />
El Nino developing in the second half<br />
of 2014. The plan of actions includes:<br />
multi-agency intervention in curbing<br />
open burning <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> forest fires;<br />
intensifying law enforcement against<br />
offenders; <strong>and</strong> strengthening our<br />
national preparedness <strong>and</strong> firefighting<br />
capabilities.<br />
“In addition, we had reviewed our<br />
National Haze Action Plan <strong>and</strong> the<br />
14<br />
november-december, green+.2014
ENVIRONMENT<br />
amended version of the Plan has been<br />
approved by the Malaysian Cabinet<br />
Ministers in June 2013.<br />
“The amendment to the National<br />
Haze Action Plan is to ensure<br />
actions taken by the key agencies<br />
such the National Security Council,<br />
Ministry of Education, Ministry of<br />
Health, Department of Environment,<br />
Meteorological Department <strong>and</strong> other<br />
relevant government departments are<br />
implemented at early stage according<br />
to the air quality status <strong>and</strong> current<br />
weather condition.<br />
“The amended Plan will enable the<br />
agencies to take more practical <strong>and</strong><br />
proactive measures in dealing with<br />
recurrent deterioration of air quality <strong>and</strong><br />
haze as well as to prevent the air quality<br />
from worsening.<br />
“The action lines will also ensure<br />
the public to get accurate information<br />
on the air quality status <strong>and</strong> thus be<br />
more alert to take preventive measures<br />
in their health care during the haze<br />
particularly to the high risk people<br />
such as the elderly, children, patients<br />
with respiratory problem <strong>and</strong> asthmatic<br />
patients,” said Palanivel.<br />
Under the auspices of the<br />
Agreement, ASEAN over the years has<br />
developed <strong>and</strong> implemented numerous<br />
activities at the national <strong>and</strong> regional<br />
level in the areas of prevention, monitoring<br />
<strong>and</strong> mitigation of haze. Substantive<br />
measures <strong>and</strong> concrete on-the-ground<br />
activities to address l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> forest fires<br />
in the region include among others:-<br />
1) implementation of the Regional Haze<br />
Action Plan (RHAP);<br />
2) implementation of ASEAN<br />
Agreement on Transboundary Haze<br />
Pollution;<br />
3) implementation of ASEAN Peatl<strong>and</strong><br />
Management Strategy (2006-2020)<br />
to promote sustainable use of peatl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
<strong>and</strong> alternative livelihoods,<br />
while preventing l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> forest<br />
fires as peatl<strong>and</strong>s are a major source<br />
of smoke haze in the region;<br />
4) adoption of zero-burning /<br />
controlled-burning policy <strong>and</strong> strict<br />
enforcement of the policy;<br />
5) establishment of Panel of<br />
ASEAN Experts on Fire <strong>and</strong> Haze<br />
Assessment <strong>and</strong> Coordination to<br />
undertake rapid assessment for fire<br />
suppression ; <strong>and</strong><br />
6) the establishment of ASEAN<br />
Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering<br />
Committee (MSC) on Transboundary<br />
Haze Pollution in 2006 to oversee the<br />
plan of action, foremost of which<br />
to foster <strong>and</strong> strengthen regional<br />
cooperation to effectively tackle<br />
transboundary haze pollution<br />
resulting from l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> forest fires.<br />
Palanivel said despite preventive<br />
Hills surrounding FRIM<br />
are shrouded in mist.<br />
measures, Malaysia recognised more<br />
concrete <strong>and</strong> well-coordinated procedures<br />
for immediate fire suppression<br />
need to be outlined <strong>and</strong> adopted<br />
by ASEAN countries. In this regard,<br />
Malaysia hosted the inaugural ASEAN<br />
Task Force Meeting to Review Alert<br />
Levels <strong>and</strong> Trigger Points on Fire<br />
Suppression on June 11-12, 2014 in Kuala<br />
Lumpur.<br />
This ASEAN Task Force comprising<br />
of Panel of Experts on Fire <strong>and</strong> Haze<br />
Assessment <strong>and</strong> Coordination is established<br />
pursuant to the Environment<br />
Ministers’ decision at the 9th Meeting of<br />
the Conference of Parties to the ASEAN<br />
Agreement on Transboundary Haze<br />
Pollution (COP-9) held on Sept 25, 2013<br />
in Surabaya, Indonesia. The ASEAN Task<br />
Force Meeting agreed to recommend to<br />
the upcoming Meeting of Conference<br />
of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement<br />
on Transboundary Haze Pollution (COP)<br />
in Lao PDR in September 2014 to adopt<br />
the alert levels, trigger points <strong>and</strong><br />
actions on fire suppression to ensure<br />
expeditious response in preventing the<br />
occurrence of transboundary haze.<br />
OZONE LAYER PROTECTION<br />
Malaysia acceded to the Vienna<br />
Convention <strong>and</strong> ratified the Montreal<br />
Protocol on Substances that deplete<br />
the ozone layer on 29 August 1989.<br />
Kuala Muda Bird<br />
Sanctuary.<br />
Being classified as Article 5 country<br />
under the Montreal Protocol, Malaysia<br />
is qualified for financial assistance<br />
from Multilateral Fund to the Montreal<br />
Protocol <strong>and</strong> thus eligible for technical<br />
assistance including transfer of technology<br />
in phasing out ozone depleting<br />
substances to the industries.<br />
Ministry of Natural Resources<br />
<strong>and</strong> Environment, via Department of<br />
Environment, is the focal point for<br />
the Montreal Protocol in coordinating<br />
the implementation of projects <strong>and</strong><br />
activities related to phasing out the<br />
ozone depleting substances (ODS) in<br />
the country. Under Multilateral Fund<br />
financial assistance, ODS phase out<br />
projects are implemented with support<br />
from other international agencies<br />
such as United Nations Environment<br />
Programme (UNEP), United Nations<br />
Development Programme (UNDP),<br />
United Nations Industrial Development<br />
Organisation (UNIDO) <strong>and</strong> World Bank.<br />
Malaysia took early action towards<br />
controlling consumption of ODS with<br />
prohibition on import of chloroflurocarbon<br />
(CFC), halon <strong>and</strong> carbon since<br />
1st January 2010. Prohibition of Methyl<br />
Bromide used for non-Quarantine<br />
Preshipment will prohibited by 2015.<br />
The latest Malaysia’s obligation under<br />
the Montreal Protocol is to phase out<br />
hydrochlorocarbon (HCFC) by 2030<br />
with the development of HCFC Phase<br />
out Management Plan (HPMP).<br />
The objectives of the HPMP’s<br />
strategy are to facilitate Malaysia’s<br />
compliance with control targets<br />
for HCFC Consumption with<br />
minimal impacts on the national<br />
economy <strong>and</strong> environment. The<br />
implementation involves combination<br />
of interventions such as technology<br />
transfer investment, policies <strong>and</strong> regulation,<br />
technical assistance, capacity<br />
building of industries <strong>and</strong> enforcement<br />
officers, management coordination <strong>and</strong><br />
monitoring.<br />
The HPMP is currently being<br />
implemented with the support from<br />
UNDP for HPMP Stage 1 (2012 – 2016) in<br />
order to meet the 2013 freeze <strong>and</strong> 2015<br />
reduction target of 10% of HCFC under<br />
the Montreal Protocol. HPMP Stage 2<br />
(2016-2020) is a way forward to address<br />
further reduction of HCFC in Malaysia<br />
until it reaches its total phase out by<br />
2030. HPMP Stage 2 is still at its preliminary<br />
stage <strong>and</strong> the proposal will be<br />
submitted to the Executive Committee<br />
of Multilateral Fund for approval on the<br />
funding.<br />
PART II: The Minister speaks about<br />
Malaysia’s efforts in sustaining the<br />
forest <strong>and</strong> tackling country’s water<br />
woes<br />
green+.2014, november-december 15
ENERGY<br />
Democratisation of Malaysia’s<br />
electricity supply industry<br />
using solar photovoltaics<br />
Independent & free solar energy or harnessing the sun’s energy using Solar PV for electricity<br />
GREEN+ had the opportunity<br />
to visit <strong>and</strong> interview Ahmad<br />
Shadzli, President, <strong>and</strong> Chin<br />
Soo Mau, Vice-President of<br />
the Malaysia Photovoltaic<br />
Industry Association (MPIA). MPIA’s<br />
ambition is to make Solar PV a mainstream<br />
energy source through<br />
programmes which are measurable<br />
with reasonable payback period. Its<br />
possibly the most proven self-sustaining<br />
operation <strong>and</strong> may be one of the<br />
most viable solutions for free energy<br />
source to power our future generations<br />
with democratising of electricity supply.<br />
This is especially true since the energy<br />
source is free forever.<br />
Shadzli <strong>and</strong> Chin were both very<br />
enthusiastic about renewable energy,<br />
especially their solar PV industry systems,<br />
displaying their wide knowledge<br />
<strong>and</strong> experience during our discussion.<br />
They were ever-ready to forward their<br />
BY<br />
ALEXANDER<br />
LEE<br />
much-collated statistical reports <strong>and</strong><br />
propositions on interesting possibilities<br />
to use Solar PV as one of the most reliable<br />
way of forever harnessing the solar<br />
energy from the sun.<br />
Their reasons <strong>and</strong> concerns are<br />
obvious – in the coming decades more<br />
than 70% of fuels for electricity generation<br />
comes from imported coal <strong>and</strong><br />
gas. The forecast energy mix issued by<br />
government authorities are as follows:-<br />
Consequently, the propositions<br />
were tabulated systematically <strong>and</strong> are<br />
calculated based on scenarios for viable<br />
return on investments that are measurable.<br />
It will also be meaningful for the<br />
electricity supply industry on many<br />
fronts in terms of investment, distribution<br />
<strong>and</strong> transmission, independence,<br />
sustenance, savings <strong>and</strong> also job creation<br />
<strong>and</strong> good spin offs for the industry<br />
<strong>and</strong> its alternative use of technology<br />
under their proposals.<br />
It is without question using Solar<br />
PV through the existing Feed-in-Tariff<br />
(FiT) mechanism has benefitted many<br />
PV developers, solar farms investors<br />
<strong>and</strong> Rooftop installations for home,<br />
commerce <strong>and</strong> industries for the overall<br />
PV Industry. However, they reckon the<br />
FIT quota system needs to be more<br />
balanced especially in benefitting<br />
direct consumers <strong>and</strong> those who are<br />
making contributions for the 1.6% levy<br />
on electricity.<br />
Most of the investments for solar<br />
farms are capital-intensive projects<br />
<strong>and</strong> usually taken up by the “big<br />
boys”, whereas rooftops for homes,<br />
industrial <strong>and</strong> commercial applications<br />
were quite limited going by the quota<br />
system for FIT applications approvals.<br />
MPIA requested the authorities to<br />
democratise the energy supply market<br />
to benefit the solar PV Industry.<br />
MPIA is keen to propose applying<br />
16<br />
november-december, green+.2014
ENERGY<br />
Ahmad Shadzli (left) <strong>and</strong> Chin.<br />
their alternatives for democratization<br />
of the electricity supply market that<br />
can be achieved by commercializing<br />
of Rooftop PVs for all without quota<br />
limits with means like the Net Energy<br />
Metering Program added in that may<br />
avail investors to get their payback<br />
from such investments in less than 10<br />
years without recourse to premium FiT<br />
payment by SEDA. Their request to the<br />
authorities concerned, like KeTTHA<br />
<strong>and</strong> SEDA, to increase the FIT allocation<br />
for up to 400MWp by 2017 has been<br />
ongoing. These figures are derived from<br />
comparing with the geographical region<br />
current PV Capacity Targets from 2014,<br />
2020 <strong>and</strong> 2030 with other countries<br />
where it’s very positively applicable<br />
<strong>and</strong> can be done with political will <strong>and</strong><br />
support for this infinite energy from the<br />
sun. (Refer to Fig1).<br />
MPIA presented their case of<br />
solar PV market scenario <strong>and</strong> energy<br />
capacity usage with the 2014 Global PV<br />
Utilization chart. Malaysia is seen to be<br />
only having about 200MWp of installed<br />
capacity by end 2014 compared to other<br />
countries like China (34,000MWp),<br />
Japan (12,000MWp), Korea (1,500MWp),<br />
Thail<strong>and</strong> (800MWp) <strong>and</strong> Taiwan (~<br />
350MWp).<br />
Comparing 2014 against 2020, there<br />
are exponential percentage growth<br />
projections in capacity ranging from<br />
nearly 300% for China (100,000MWp),<br />
Japan (28,000MWp, 230% increase),<br />
Korea (~6,000MWp or~400% increase),<br />
Thail<strong>and</strong> (3,000MWp or 375% increase),<br />
Taiwan (4,500MWp or 1285% increase)<br />
<strong>and</strong> Singapore increasing from 45MWp<br />
in 2014 to 600MWp (1,300% increase) by<br />
2020 projection out of which 350MW (<br />
or 770% increase) are designated to be<br />
investments by the Singapore government<br />
itself.<br />
These figures signify the convincing<br />
commitment by major Asian countries<br />
including our neighbour’s commitment<br />
to invest in the future on PV, putting<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Spin Offs of PV Industry<br />
Local Manufacturing of Solar PV<br />
Components<br />
RM 300 million for<br />
local steel<br />
manufacturing<br />
industry<br />
JOB CREATION<br />
6000 new generation of highly<br />
skilled workers<br />
600 technicians /supervisors<br />
100 Engineers<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>nomic Benefits<br />
RM 300 million for<br />
domestic electrical/<br />
electronic industries<br />
RM 150 million for<br />
local <strong>and</strong> international<br />
consultancy<br />
RM 45 million for R<br />
& D <strong>and</strong> training<br />
DC<br />
Circuit<br />
Breakers,<br />
DC fuses,<br />
DC SPd’s<br />
Malaysia Current PV Target <strong>and</strong> Comparison with other<br />
Countries<br />
Geographic R egion<br />
Current<br />
cumulative<br />
I nstalled<br />
capacity (MWp)<br />
in 2014<br />
Target<br />
Capacity in<br />
2020<br />
(MWp)<br />
Target capacity<br />
in 2030<br />
(MWp)<br />
Target % Solar<br />
PV<br />
Contribution<br />
To<br />
Energy mix<br />
China 34,000 100,000 20%<br />
Japan 12,000 28,000 53,000 10%<br />
India 2,200 20,000<br />
Korea 1500 ~6,000<br />
Thail<strong>and</strong> 800 3,000<br />
Taiwan ~350 4500 6,300<br />
Malaysia 200<br />
FI T - 400<br />
(2017)<br />
Singapore 45 600 (350 MWp<br />
by Govt)<br />
confidence in solar energy. By harnessing<br />
the energy from the sun, it is<br />
without doubt the way forward, as it is<br />
safe, independent <strong>and</strong> one of the most<br />
plentiful, reliable <strong>and</strong> non-depleting<br />
resources. No inhibitions or concerns<br />
of inflationary costs like feed-stocks<br />
purchasing, preparation or transportation<br />
<strong>and</strong> distribution cost or from any<br />
untoward price increase or crisis of a<br />
finite nature.<br />
Moreover, it may be in the long<br />
term the most suitable green solution<br />
to reduce costs <strong>and</strong> CO2 emissions. It<br />
will also benefit the Electricity supply<br />
players by relieving them from the<br />
need for high investment costs for<br />
utilities planting up, reducing need for<br />
heavy grid distribution investments<br />
<strong>and</strong> maintenance costs <strong>and</strong> reducing<br />
4.8% in 2025<br />
Australia 3,800 2,800 23,000 20% by 2020<br />
green+.2014, november-december 17
ENERGY<br />
energy loss due to distribution of energy<br />
through the grid.<br />
Chin indicated in The World PV<br />
Market scenario, at present in the<br />
beginning of 2014, Malaysia had<br />
100MW installed. It will have a cumulative<br />
capacity of 150MW (as at Sept<br />
2014) or 180GWh/year that is only<br />
0.17% of National Electricity Dem<strong>and</strong><br />
compared to the average Global<br />
indicators of 43.5GWp installed with<br />
cumulative 139GWp (2013) or 160TWh/<br />
year indicating a 0.85% usage of Global<br />
Electricity Dem<strong>and</strong>, whereby IEA forecasted<br />
growth to 11% of global electricity<br />
dem<strong>and</strong> by 2030.<br />
With 85% of Solar PV modules<br />
being manufactured (36GWp) in Asia,<br />
whereby China <strong>and</strong> Taiwan are the<br />
major producers, Malaysia is still contributing<br />
about ~3,800MWp (approx.<br />
10.5% ). It is perceived that Malaysia<br />
should also take a lead in PV installations<br />
<strong>and</strong> benefit from Solar energy as<br />
one of the major producing countries<br />
in Asia.<br />
The Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry<br />
Association would like to suggest the<br />
following:-<br />
NET Energy Metering (NEM)-Allow<br />
the Commercial <strong>and</strong> Industrial players<br />
to produce their own electricity but<br />
using the NEM methodology to have<br />
independence <strong>and</strong> security of energy<br />
supply.<br />
The idea of net metering came<br />
about as electricity generation from<br />
RE resources by users has become<br />
more competitive compared with that<br />
from conventional fuels (mainly coal<br />
<strong>and</strong> gas). The most important of these<br />
initiatives have been the growing competitiveness<br />
of grid-connected solar<br />
PV systems, although other renewable<br />
energy sources such as biogas, biomass<br />
<strong>and</strong> small to mini-hydro can also<br />
qualify.<br />
PV is a rapidly growing RE resource<br />
due to its substantial <strong>and</strong> sustained cost<br />
reduction over the years resulting from<br />
its production volume “explosion” <strong>and</strong><br />
technology development. PV provides<br />
the option of a “clean, green & indigenous”<br />
source of electricity generation,<br />
with virtually unlimited generation<br />
capacity. It also has the advantage of<br />
generating its output during the<br />
national system peak dem<strong>and</strong> period,<br />
just when it is most needed <strong>and</strong> most<br />
costly to generate from conventional<br />
generation sources like Open Cycle Gas<br />
Turbines (OCGTs).<br />
In the Malaysian context, Net Energy<br />
Metering (NEM) has now become a very<br />
viable option to complement (or even<br />
displace) the current Feed-in-Tariff<br />
(FiT) mechanism as the latter is seen<br />
as an undesirable (<strong>and</strong> even socially<br />
Proposed Strategies <strong>and</strong> Future PV<br />
L<strong>and</strong>scape for Malaysia<br />
Commercial <strong>and</strong> Industry - NET ENERGY METERING (2015 – 2025)<br />
2015-2020 - With Investment Tax Allowance (1.75GW)<br />
2021-2025 - Without Investment Tax Allowance (5 GW)<br />
2026-2035 - Without Investment Tax Allowance (22.4 GW)<br />
Extension of FIT +NEM – Individual/Residential Quota Only (2016-2025)<br />
2016-2025 – 10 years Power Purchase Agreement (1.65GW) - 200,000 rooftops<br />
2026-2035 – Net Energy Meter ( 8.45GW) – 1,000,000 rooftops<br />
PV Utility Scale Installation - Future<br />
unjust) burden on the electricity consumers who have<br />
to pay for the FiT’s “top-up” tariff. Moreover, the RE Fund<br />
levy limitation constrains more rapid expansion of the PV<br />
market due to the limitations of available fund from the 1.6%<br />
levy imposed on the affected electricity customers. These<br />
are contributions from consumers.<br />
The NEM scheme would give greater opportunities to<br />
the consumers concerned to generate their own electricity<br />
from RE resources, especially solar PV for their own<br />
consumption thereby hedging against any future tariff<br />
increase.<br />
MPIA also proposed strategies <strong>and</strong> future PV l<strong>and</strong>scape<br />
for Malaysia for Commercial <strong>and</strong> Industrial market with<br />
NET Energy Metering including FIT + NEM for individual<br />
/Residential installations as per above self explanatory<br />
diagram.<br />
Utilities may perceive NEM as a major threat but it could<br />
actually benefit all parties –from the energy users or customers<br />
to the utilities <strong>and</strong> the country as a whole.<br />
Guiding Principles for Net Energy Metering (NEM)<br />
The following guiding principles should be considered for<br />
the adoption of the NEM mechanism:-<br />
Self-Generation <strong>and</strong> Access to the<br />
Utility Grid: Qualified retail electricity<br />
customers should have the right<br />
to install RE generation facilities<br />
such as rooftop solar PV systems<br />
at their premises <strong>and</strong> connect<br />
them to the utility grid without any<br />
discrimination.<br />
Value of Solar PV generated<br />
Electricity: Rooftop owners of solar<br />
PV generation systems can offer<br />
many benefits to the electricity<br />
supply system <strong>and</strong> the nation. These<br />
include:-<br />
➲ Reduction in utility capacity <strong>and</strong><br />
energy generation requirements,<br />
especially during the peak dem<strong>and</strong><br />
period that coincides with the PV<br />
generation profile.<br />
➲ Reduction in distribution<br />
system losses.<br />
➲ Avoidance or deferral of distribution<br />
<strong>and</strong> transmission system<br />
reinforcement investments.<br />
➲ Hedging against fuel price volatility<br />
especially for imported fossil<br />
fuels.<br />
➲ Reduction in greenhouse gas<br />
emissions <strong>and</strong> water usage.<br />
These benefits should be quantified<br />
to determine the true value of solar PV<br />
generated energy delivered to the grid.<br />
Capacity Limit on Rooftop PV<br />
Installations: No capacity limit should<br />
be imposed on the total rooftop PV generation<br />
as it forms “generation at point<br />
of use” <strong>and</strong> is a valuable addition to the<br />
national electricity generation fuel mix.<br />
However, the terms <strong>and</strong> conditions can<br />
be considered for NEM applicable as<br />
follows with a proposed NO QUOTA<br />
LIMIT :-<br />
➲ Maximum Installation capacity:<br />
18<br />
november-december, green+.2014
ENERGY<br />
80% of declared maximum dem<strong>and</strong><br />
➲ Energy Export Limit: Shall not be<br />
more than 25% of energy imported<br />
➲ Export Tariff: 10% lower than the<br />
import tariff.<br />
➲ Access to Billing Data: Billing<br />
statements from utilities should<br />
clearly show the consumer’s total<br />
electricity use <strong>and</strong> the net energy<br />
exported to the utility grid.<br />
➲ Metering Equipment: The NET<br />
Meter system should be introduced<br />
under a new amendment for the RE<br />
Act<br />
➲ Customer Classes: All customers<br />
should be able to participate in<br />
net energy metering.<br />
Proposed Net Energy Metering (NEM)<br />
Programme<br />
Based on the above Guiding<br />
Principles, MPIA wish to propose the<br />
following:-<br />
A consistent <strong>and</strong> pragmatic NEM<br />
program starting from 2015. The<br />
details below show proposals for<br />
the first 10 years up to 2025. A<br />
comprehensive review of the NEM<br />
will be made during <strong>and</strong> after 2025 to<br />
ensure its effectiveness <strong>and</strong> fulfill its<br />
intended benefits.<br />
Based on Suruhanjaya Tenaga’s<br />
long term load dem<strong>and</strong> forecast as<br />
contained in Peninsular Malaysia<br />
Electricity Supply Industry Outlook<br />
2013, we hereby propose the possible<br />
annual PV capacity installations for<br />
the period 2015 to 2025, as follows:-<br />
General Cost / Benefits Analysis of NEM<br />
The proposed capacity of rooftop<br />
PV systems is planned to be limited<br />
to 30% of the national electricity<br />
system maximum dem<strong>and</strong> to shave<br />
the system peak <strong>and</strong> reduce the<br />
need for costly peak period generation<br />
plant like OCGT. This means that<br />
the maximum capacity rooftop PV<br />
systems can be as high as 6,634<br />
MWp by 2025. [See Table 1 above]<br />
Foregone revenues for PETRONAS<br />
to provide gas for power generation<br />
will be eliminated as gas subsidies<br />
are removed.<br />
The peak period energy generation<br />
cost to a utility is normally well<br />
above the average retail selling<br />
price. Thus TNB should see a net<br />
gain in profits even though its overall<br />
revenue may drop slightly. This is<br />
because every KWh sold during the<br />
peak period that is generated from<br />
conventional generation plant would<br />
have cost more than the average<br />
revenue derived for the sale.<br />
TNB will also gain in reducing the<br />
consumption of natural gas in<br />
running Open Cycle Gas Turbines<br />
(OCGTs) during peak dem<strong>and</strong>, as<br />
solar PV will meet it during that<br />
TABLE 1<br />
Forecast Forecast Proposed Cumulative Cumulative Contribution<br />
Annual Annual MD Annual PV PV Installed Cumulativex from<br />
Electricity NEM (MWp) under NEM generation solar PV<br />
Sales (GWhr) (MWp) from PV<br />
(GWhr)*<br />
(MW) (%)<br />
2015 108,167 17,671 150 150 93.75 0.08%<br />
2016 112,586 18,338 195 345 309.38 0.25%<br />
2017 116,540 18,926 244 589 583.59 0.46%<br />
2018 120,780 19,558 305 893 926.37 0.70%<br />
2019 124,788 20,149 381 1,274 1,592.87 1.17%<br />
2020 129,482 20,847 476 1,750 1,890.42 1.34%<br />
2021 133,640 21,456 595 2,345 2,559.90 1.77%<br />
2022 136,832 21,908 744 3,089 3,396.75 2.29%<br />
2023 138,201 22,067 930 4,019 4,442.81 2.97%<br />
2024 141,227 22,490 1,162 5,181 5,750.38 3.77%<br />
2025 144,188 22,900 1,453 6,634 7,384.86 4.75%<br />
Note: * the specific energy yield is assumed @ 1,250 KWhr/KWp<br />
period.<br />
Saving in CO2 emissions. Assuming<br />
on average, a conventional fossil<br />
fired power plant emits 0.70 ton/<br />
MWhr of CO2, the total reduction in<br />
CO2 emission amounts to 5.17 million<br />
tons in the 10-year period.<br />
Improves energy security for the<br />
country as it reduces country dependence<br />
on gas <strong>and</strong> coal.<br />
The new employment created by<br />
the PV industry will be at least 40,000<br />
direct/indirect employment <strong>and</strong> over<br />
RM10 billion of economic activities by<br />
2025.<br />
Encourage growth of local components<br />
manufacturing capacity. For<br />
example the current solar PV manufacturers<br />
i.e Malaysia Solar Resources,<br />
TSI <strong>and</strong> Panasonic have a combined<br />
manufacturing capacities of about<br />
500 MWp annually that could provide<br />
critical support in meeting the expected<br />
increase in dem<strong>and</strong> when the NEM<br />
programme is fully implemented. So are<br />
other industries such as manufacturing<br />
of other components such as solar<br />
cables, SPD’s, steel <strong>and</strong> Aluminum<br />
industry.<br />
Proposed Fiscal Incentives for Net<br />
Energy Metering<br />
To encourage commercial <strong>and</strong> residential<br />
owners to invest in the PV system<br />
for their own consumption, the government<br />
is requested to provide the<br />
following incentives, in addition to the<br />
existing Capital Allowance (CA) made<br />
available to incentivise the industry,<br />
that is Investment Tax Allowance (ITA):<br />
Exemption of import duties of major PV<br />
system components such as PV modules<br />
<strong>and</strong> inverters.<br />
If these fiscal incentives are offered<br />
as a whole complete package, commercial<br />
<strong>and</strong> industrial sectors could get<br />
their payback from such investments in less than 10 years<br />
without recourse to premium FiT payment by SEDA.<br />
MPIA, therefore, proposes that the government offers<br />
to commercial <strong>and</strong> industrial premise owners a complete<br />
package of fiscal incentives combined as listed above.<br />
Concluding remarks<br />
MPIA believes that the implementation of this Net Energy<br />
Metering mechanism will bring about enormous benefits<br />
to the utility, PV industry <strong>and</strong> to the country. MPIA also<br />
proposes that the programme should be implemented as<br />
soon as possible <strong>and</strong> should be in full swing in 2015 if possible.<br />
It will help to reduce the need to install or operate peak<br />
load generation capacity <strong>and</strong> reduce the need for costly<br />
peak period energy generation from OCGTs.<br />
MPIA has the following wish list:-<br />
All future buildings designs must be Solar ready<br />
Investment Tax Allowance <strong>and</strong> Capital Allowance to be<br />
extended to 2020<br />
Tax Rebates for individual investments for Solar PV<br />
Rooftop owners<br />
To allocate more funds human capital building especially<br />
for human resource competency training in the Solar<br />
PV Industry<br />
Incentivise the Local manufacturing of Solar PV system<br />
components such as solar cables, DC fuses/DC breakers,<br />
customized PV modules for buildings<br />
Extension of FIT for Residential Installations only-<br />
(Proposed contributions from PETRONAS, TNB & IPPs for a<br />
special GREEN FUND for these installations)<br />
green+.2014, november-december 19
IPS 171214A.pdf 1 17/12/14 4:56 PM<br />
2014 KeTTHA EXCELLENCE AWARDS<br />
KEA recognises best in energy,<br />
green technology <strong>and</strong> water sectors<br />
Aim to encourage<br />
excellence service,<br />
innovation <strong>and</strong><br />
entrepreneurship<br />
THE Ministry of Energy,<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Technology <strong>and</strong> Water<br />
(KeTTHA) on Saturday<br />
awarded Kumpulan Melaka<br />
Berhad, Harta Maintenance<br />
Sdn Bhd <strong>and</strong> Syarikat Air Melaka<br />
Berhad as winners of the KeTTHA<br />
Excellence Awards 2014 (KEA) at a ceremony<br />
held in conjunction with the 5th<br />
International <strong>Green</strong>tech <strong>Eco</strong> Products<br />
Exhibition <strong>and</strong> Conference 2014 (IGEM<br />
2014).<br />
KEA, which is in its second year,<br />
recognises Malaysian companies that<br />
have excelled <strong>and</strong> made outst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
contributions in the fields of energy,<br />
green technology <strong>and</strong> water sectors.<br />
In line with the government agenda<br />
to spur the three sectors, KEA aims to<br />
encourage excellent service, innovation<br />
<strong>and</strong> entrepreneurship to spur<br />
growth in these sectors. Deputy Prime<br />
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in<br />
his speech read by Minister of Energy,<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Technology <strong>and</strong> Water, Datuk Seri<br />
Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili,<br />
said the KeTTHA Excellence Awards<br />
2014 was significant as it recognized<br />
achievements made in the energy,<br />
green technology <strong>and</strong> water industry,<br />
especially in its role in increasing the<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ard of living <strong>and</strong> well-being of the<br />
people.<br />
“More so, as reliable <strong>and</strong> quality<br />
electricity <strong>and</strong> water supply contribute<br />
to a more comfortable living. At the<br />
same time, I believe it is time for all of<br />
us to adopt green practices <strong>and</strong> lifestyle<br />
in line with rising environmental concerns,”<br />
said Muhyiddin.<br />
“This importance that we have<br />
placed in these sectors is reflected in<br />
KeTTHA slogan which is Water is Life,<br />
Energy is Wealth <strong>and</strong> <strong>Green</strong> Technology<br />
is the Game Changer.”<br />
The three award categories under<br />
KEA are the Energy Excellence Award,<br />
the <strong>Green</strong> Technology Excellence Award<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Water Excellence Award. A total<br />
of 53 submissions were received.<br />
Given its commitment to transform the<br />
Melaka Historical City into a green technology<br />
city by the year 2020, Kumpulan<br />
Melaka Berhad was awarded the Energy<br />
Excellence Award for its 5MWp Solar<br />
(From left) Datuk Ir Hj Mohd<br />
Khalid Nasir (CEO, Syarikat Air<br />
Melaka Bhd), Datuk Abdul Taib<br />
Bachek (Vice-chairman, SAMB)<br />
ROLL OF<br />
HONOUR<br />
Energy<br />
Excellence<br />
Award<br />
Kumpulan<br />
Melaka Berhad<br />
<strong>Green</strong><br />
Technology<br />
Excellence<br />
Award<br />
Harta<br />
Maintenance<br />
Sdn Bhd<br />
Water<br />
Excellence<br />
Award<br />
Syarikat Air<br />
Melaka Berhad<br />
Farm Project. The evaluation of projects<br />
submitted for the Energy category was<br />
based on creativity, innovation, sustainability,<br />
impact <strong>and</strong> accountability.<br />
Harta Maintenance Sdn Bhd, a<br />
total solutions provider for building<br />
maintenance which offers a<br />
range of green cleaning products<br />
<strong>and</strong> equipment, bagged the <strong>Green</strong><br />
Technology Excellence Award.<br />
Under this category, submissions were<br />
evaluated based on their effectiveness<br />
in the implementation of low carbon<br />
strategies <strong>and</strong> promoting future green<br />
technology initiatives that could transform<br />
the l<strong>and</strong>scape of green business.<br />
Finally, Syarikat Air Melaka Berhad won<br />
the Water Excellence Award for successfully<br />
reducing the Non-Revenue<br />
Water (NRW) rate in the state of Melaka<br />
- from 33.9 per cent to 22.0 per cent over<br />
a period of five years from 2008.<br />
Through its initiatives the company has<br />
PROUD WINNERS (from<br />
left): Datuk Ir Hj Mohd Khalid<br />
Nasir (CEO, Syarikat Air<br />
Melaka Bhd), Datuk Abdul<br />
Taib Bachek (Vice-chairman,<br />
SAMB), Dato Seri DiRaja<br />
Mahdzir Khalid (Deputy<br />
Minister, KeTTHA), Datuk<br />
Seri Panglima Dr Maximus<br />
Johnity Ongkili (Minister,<br />
KeTTHA), Datuk Loo Took<br />
Gee (Secretary-General,<br />
KeTTHA), Hj Isnin AMan<br />
(CEO, Kumpulan Melaka Bhd),<br />
Datuk Hj Radzali Hassan<br />
(Group Managing Director,<br />
Harta Maintenance SB)<br />
<strong>Green</strong>Tech CEO Ir Ahmad Hadri (2nd right) poses with (from<br />
left) Harta Maintenance Sdn Bhd’s Faizal Moiduny (Operations<br />
Director), Datuk Radzali (Group Managing Director) <strong>and</strong> Jamiah<br />
Jaafar (<strong>Business</strong> Development Director).<br />
successfully conserved a total of 97.8<br />
million metric cube of water during this<br />
period. The projects submitted under<br />
the Water category were evaluated<br />
based on operational effectiveness,<br />
efficiency, delivery on consumer<br />
services, community engagement,<br />
technological impact, innovation for<br />
sustainability <strong>and</strong> environmental conservation<br />
initiative.<br />
KEA is organised by the Ministry of<br />
Energy, <strong>Green</strong> Technology <strong>and</strong> Water,<br />
as part of its continuous efforts to recognise<br />
the commitment <strong>and</strong> excellence<br />
rendered by Malaysian companies<br />
within the energy, green technology<br />
<strong>and</strong> water sectors. The judging panel<br />
that evaluated the 15 nominees for<br />
KEA 2014, included the <strong>Sustainable</strong><br />
Energy Development Authority,<br />
Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara<br />
<strong>and</strong> Malaysian <strong>Green</strong> Technology<br />
Corporation.<br />
20<br />
november-december, green+.2014
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2014 MCCC-AEET GREEN AWARD<br />
MALAYSIA’S Alwin Long<br />
Su Wen emerged first<br />
runnerup in the annual<br />
2014 Malaysia-China<br />
Chamber of Commerce<br />
(MCCC) <strong>and</strong> Asean Academy of<br />
Engineering And Technology (AEET)<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Award held on Nov 24 in Kuala<br />
Lumpur.<br />
The winner was Brunei’s Queenie<br />
Chong Chin Yee, while the second runnerup<br />
was Ophath Sengmany of Laos.<br />
Alwin is Founder &CEO/CTO of<br />
ATECH Malaysia.<br />
Queenie is an Education Officer with<br />
Brunei’s Ministry of Education.<br />
MCCC <strong>and</strong> AAET have collaborated<br />
since 2011 to further promote the<br />
green growth concept in among Asean<br />
members by initiating the annual<br />
MCCC-AAET <strong>Green</strong> Award.<br />
The joint efforts are to achieve their<br />
goals to promote the business <strong>and</strong><br />
technology communities in achieving<br />
inclusive <strong>and</strong> sustainable socio-economic<br />
development <strong>and</strong> also promoting<br />
the development of innovative products<br />
or solutions that meet the goals of environmental<br />
sustainability.<br />
Also the <strong>Green</strong> Award emphasises<br />
that the inculcation of green awareness<br />
must be started from a younger age<br />
<strong>and</strong> for the younger generation to play a<br />
leading role in green activities.<br />
At the same time, the <strong>Green</strong> Award<br />
is also to recognise outst<strong>and</strong>ing young<br />
green technopreneurs <strong>and</strong> young<br />
contributors to the <strong>Green</strong> Growth in the<br />
Asean region.<br />
The participants were judged based<br />
on three main components:<br />
Extensive business <strong>and</strong> technology<br />
network<br />
By leveraging on the extensive network<br />
of both MCC <strong>and</strong> AAET, the green messages<br />
are effectively promoted to the<br />
ASEAN communities in every member<br />
states, including the less developed<br />
CLMV countries.<br />
Comprehensiveness <strong>and</strong> inclusiveness<br />
The Award promotes <strong>and</strong> recognises<br />
Alwin (kneeling, left) with other winners <strong>and</strong> participants pose with MCCC <strong>and</strong> AEET officials<br />
Alwin does<br />
Malaysia proud<br />
He specialises in R&D <strong>and</strong> commercialisation for<br />
low carbon building materials <strong>and</strong> sustainable living<br />
concepts for rural communities<br />
contribution from a wide range of green<br />
workers, among them are scientists,<br />
engineers, researchers, government<br />
officers, entrepreneurs, journalists <strong>and</strong><br />
NGO members.<br />
Continuous action<br />
The <strong>Green</strong> Ambassadors will visit<br />
ASEAN member countries to promote<br />
green concept <strong>and</strong> environmental sustainability<br />
to the young people.<br />
The <strong>Green</strong> Award has became an<br />
effective platform to connect green<br />
workers, scientists, researchers <strong>and</strong><br />
technopreneurs of Asean countries for<br />
further deliberation on the sustainable<br />
development of the region.<br />
Simultaneously, the joint project<br />
between MCCC <strong>and</strong> AEET has also<br />
created a replicable model for the science,<br />
technology <strong>and</strong> innovation (STI)<br />
<strong>and</strong> industry linkages in achieving a<br />
greener <strong>and</strong> sustainable development<br />
in Asean <strong>and</strong> other regions, particularly<br />
among South-South countries.<br />
The other country winners were:<br />
Dr Seng Bunrith (Cambodia), Wai Wai<br />
Hlaing (Myanmar), Kristine Rodulfo<br />
Tolod (Philippines), Mark Cheng Jin<br />
Quan (Singapore) <strong>and</strong> Do Huu Dao<br />
(Vietnam).<br />
A Certificate of Merit was<br />
awarded to Thail<strong>and</strong>’s Nuttapong<br />
Phadungpattanapong.<br />
About<br />
Alwin<br />
Alwin is Founder &CEO/CTO of ATECH<br />
Malaysia.<br />
He specialises in R&D <strong>and</strong> commercialization<br />
for low carbon building<br />
materials <strong>and</strong> sustainable living concepts<br />
for rural communities.<br />
His major project entitled “SLIM”<br />
(<strong>Sustainable</strong> Living In Malaysia),<br />
which is in partnership with a university<br />
<strong>and</strong> Technology Park Malaysia<br />
(TPM) is to develop a sustainable<br />
living environment for rural areas.<br />
Alwin is also a service provider<br />
who develops green business<br />
models <strong>and</strong> training programmes on<br />
sustainable technical workforce for<br />
MNCs.<br />
He is also actively advocating<br />
green concepts <strong>and</strong> green entrepreneurship<br />
through various camps,<br />
conferences, lectures, training <strong>and</strong><br />
NGO activities.<br />
22<br />
november-december, green+.2014
AUTOMOBILE<br />
Charging stations in KL soon<br />
Mindset of associating<br />
vehicles with social<br />
status must change<br />
Kuala Lumpur City Hall<br />
(DBKL) will soon install<br />
charging stations for<br />
electric cars at strategic<br />
locations around the city.<br />
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri<br />
Ahmad Phesal said: “DBKL has been<br />
working with two car companies for the<br />
purpose, in living with its objective to<br />
reduce carbon emissions.”<br />
He said the charging stations would<br />
be made available to the public.<br />
“DBKL was also scrutinizing more<br />
areas where they could reduce parking<br />
lots based on the reliability of public<br />
transportation,” he added after after<br />
taking part in the 12th KL Car Free<br />
Morning event (KLCFM).<br />
Ahmad Phesal added DBKL will<br />
allow up to 30% of parking space if it<br />
was within 200m of reliable transportation<br />
points for new developments.<br />
He added the mindset of associating<br />
vehicles with social status must change,<br />
however there has been a growing trend<br />
of the high-income earners investing in<br />
bicycles.<br />
The mayor underst<strong>and</strong>s that it can<br />
be dangerous to cycle on the city roads<br />
<strong>and</strong> that is why the council are in the<br />
process of installing designated bicycle<br />
lanes.<br />
In regards of the success of KLCFM,<br />
Ahmad Phesal was very happy with the<br />
initiative that has fostered unity among<br />
people while having a healthy lifestyle.<br />
He then added there will be more<br />
community-centred programmes next<br />
year, in line with Kuala Lumpur being<br />
chosen to host the third Governors <strong>and</strong><br />
Mayors of Asean Capitals conference<br />
in 2015.<br />
Feather in<br />
MPSJ’s cap<br />
The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) was awarded<br />
the Gold Award for Environmental Best Practice 2014 for<br />
its “My Biomass Way” project at the International <strong>Green</strong><br />
Apple Awards (IGAA) last month.<br />
MPSJ deputy president Abdullah Marjunid received<br />
the award at a ceremony held at The House of Parliament<br />
in London.<br />
He said the council’s aim of participating in IGAA was<br />
to improve the skills <strong>and</strong> expertise of MPSJ staff , to work<br />
towards making the township of international st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
<strong>and</strong> introduce MPSJ to the world stage.<br />
Abdullah said: ”The award recognised MPSJ’s efforts<br />
to form the MPSJ <strong>Green</strong> Town Action Plan 2030 with the<br />
aim of creating an environmentally-<strong>friendly</strong>, clean <strong>and</strong><br />
comfortable township, as well as the greenest town in<br />
Malaysia.”<br />
Initiatives under the biomass project included<br />
organic-waste composting, anaerobic digestion biogas,<br />
vermicomposting, food waste separation <strong>and</strong> cooking<br />
oil recycling.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 23
EVENTS<br />
‘Change towards<br />
greener lifestyle’<br />
Malaysia managed to reduce more<br />
than 33 per cent carbon emission intensity<br />
MALAYSIAN <strong>Green</strong><br />
Technology Corporation<br />
(<strong>Green</strong>Tech Malaysia)<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Green</strong> Purchasing<br />
Network Malaysia<br />
(GPNM) organised the International<br />
Conference On <strong>Green</strong> Procurement <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Eco</strong>-Labeling at Aloft Kuala Lumpur<br />
Sentral on Dec 2.<br />
The event was officiated by the<br />
Energy, <strong>Green</strong> Technology <strong>and</strong> Water<br />
Deputy Minister, Dato’ Seri DiRaja<br />
Mahdzir Khalid.<br />
During the deputy minister’s<br />
opening speech, he declared green<br />
procurement plays an important role as<br />
a catalyst for socio-economic development<br />
of the country, where government<br />
procurement accounts for 12% to 15% to<br />
the Gross Domestic Product.<br />
Recognising the importance of<br />
the <strong>Green</strong> Procurement Government<br />
in improving the competitiveness<br />
between local companies, five ministries<br />
<strong>and</strong> agencies were selected<br />
as pilots for the implementation of<br />
the Pilot Project Implementers <strong>Green</strong><br />
Procurement Government.<br />
The ministries namely the Ministry<br />
of Education, Ministry of Home Affairs,<br />
Ministry of Health Malaysia, the<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>nomic Planning Unit, the Prime<br />
Minister’s Office (UPE , JPM), <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Ministry of Energy, <strong>Green</strong> Technology<br />
<strong>and</strong> Water (KeTTHA). A total of six<br />
groups of environmentally <strong>friendly</strong><br />
A stall promoting <strong>Green</strong> concept<br />
Participants<br />
at the seminar<br />
listen to a<br />
speech from<br />
one of the<br />
delegates.<br />
products were also selected for implementation<br />
of pilot projects GGP such<br />
as ICT equipment, Energy Efficient<br />
Lighting, Cement <strong>and</strong> Paint / coatings,<br />
Paper <strong>and</strong> Cleaning Services.<br />
In the meantime, the government<br />
also recognized <strong>Eco</strong>-Labeling as one<br />
important instrument to support the<br />
implementation of green procurement.<br />
With the eco-labeling, it will help consumers<br />
make more informed choices<br />
by providing information to underst<strong>and</strong><br />
the products <strong>and</strong> services <strong>and</strong> its<br />
impact on the environment.<br />
KeTTHA through <strong>Green</strong>Tech<br />
Malaysia has introduced MyHijau<br />
Program, MyHijau Mark <strong>and</strong> MyHijau<br />
Directory which is an initiative to<br />
promote the production <strong>and</strong> use of<br />
environmentally <strong>friendly</strong> products <strong>and</strong><br />
services among industry players <strong>and</strong><br />
consumers (private household).<br />
At present, there are three agencies<br />
in Malaysia namely SIRIM Berhad,<br />
Energy Commission (EC) <strong>and</strong> the<br />
National Water Services Commission<br />
(SPAN) that provide certification<br />
schemes on the environment. The<br />
Ministry also plans to involve the participation<br />
of other agencies such as the<br />
Malaysian Good Agriculture Practices<br />
(MyGAP) <strong>and</strong> Malaysian Timber<br />
Certification Scheme in their products<br />
<strong>and</strong> services to exp<strong>and</strong> the use of<br />
environmentally <strong>friendly</strong> labels in their<br />
related industries.<br />
Mahdzir also informed that with all<br />
the efforts <strong>and</strong> initiatives that have been<br />
implemented, Malaysia has so far managed<br />
to reduce more than 33% carbon<br />
Dr Chen Sau Soon of Sirim<br />
Dr Gerhard Weih<br />
emission intensity although there<br />
are some constraints <strong>and</strong> obstacles<br />
faced in meeting the promises made in<br />
2009.<br />
The KeTTHA deputy minister also<br />
stressed that in order to achieve the<br />
target of 40% reduction in carbon<br />
emissions intensity, people’s lifestyles<br />
must change through the Renewable<br />
Energy generation, promote the use of<br />
green transportation <strong>and</strong> green growth<br />
industries. For this purpose, the government<br />
will continue to encourage the<br />
introduction of more green products<br />
<strong>and</strong> green building as well as a facilitator<br />
for the development of electric<br />
vehicles.<br />
He also noted that efforts towards<br />
a green economy involving all parties,<br />
people’s lifestyles today need to change<br />
towards greener lifestyles of various<br />
aspects. He also urged Malaysians to<br />
work together with the government<br />
in realising Malaysia as a country that<br />
has a sustainable <strong>and</strong> green community<br />
<strong>and</strong> to be passed on to the future<br />
generations.<br />
The International Conference on<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Procurement <strong>and</strong> <strong>Eco</strong>-Labeling<br />
programme, which lasted for two days,<br />
include seven plenary sessions <strong>and</strong><br />
accompanied by a panel discussion<br />
with Q & A from within <strong>and</strong> outside the<br />
country to help participants underst<strong>and</strong><br />
the concept of green procurement <strong>and</strong><br />
eco-labeling <strong>and</strong> also sharing with the<br />
them the best practices in addressing<br />
issues <strong>and</strong> challenges associated with<br />
the implementation of green procurement<br />
<strong>and</strong> eco-labeling. .<br />
24<br />
november-december, green+.2014
EVENTS<br />
Royal flavour<br />
HRH Princess Astrid represented<br />
the King of Belgium at the event<br />
Princes Astrid<br />
HRH Princess Astrid<br />
added a touch of class to<br />
the <strong>Sustainable</strong> Urban<br />
Development, Cleantech<br />
Solutions For Modern Cities<br />
seminar at M<strong>and</strong>arin Oriental on Nov 24.<br />
Princess Astrid represented the King<br />
of Belgium.<br />
It was acknowledged at the seminar<br />
that by 2050, there would be 1.4 billion<br />
people living in Asian cities.<br />
The increase in urban population is<br />
also happening in Malaysia. At present,<br />
three out of four Malaysians live in an<br />
urban environment, <strong>and</strong> this ratio continues<br />
to increase.<br />
This growth gives rise to new opportunities<br />
<strong>and</strong> challenges.<br />
With urbanisation there is economic<br />
growth, leading to an explosion in water<br />
usage, energy dem<strong>and</strong>, production of<br />
waste, as well as carbon emissions.<br />
As the world is experiencing a new<br />
era of urbanisation <strong>and</strong> industrialisation,<br />
<strong>and</strong> many emerging economies are<br />
suffering from a rapidly deteriorating<br />
environment, there is growing dem<strong>and</strong><br />
for knowledge, products <strong>and</strong> concepts<br />
to take on these challenges in waste,<br />
EXPERTS from Malaysia, Germany <strong>and</strong><br />
the United Kingdom got together in Kuala<br />
Lumpur on Nov 25 to help shape Malaysia’s<br />
journey towards implementing greener, lowcarbon<br />
modes of mobility.<br />
The <strong>Sustainable</strong> Mobility Conference at<br />
Sheraton Imperial Hotel was jointly organised<br />
by the German embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the<br />
British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Malaysian-German Chamber of<br />
Commerce <strong>and</strong> Industry.<br />
The conference aimed at bringing policies,<br />
guidelines <strong>and</strong> practices from both Germany<br />
<strong>and</strong> the UK closer to Malaysian stakeholders<br />
<strong>and</strong> decision-makers. The conference also<br />
served as a platform for experts <strong>and</strong> panellists<br />
to share their knowledge <strong>and</strong> experiences<br />
with the audience.<br />
The opening keynote address by Dato’ Sri<br />
Abdul Wahid bin Omar, Minister in the Prime<br />
Minister’s Department responsible for the<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>nomic Planning Unit, was followed by<br />
a number of experts presentations, panel<br />
discussions <strong>and</strong> workshops <strong>and</strong> finally ending<br />
water <strong>and</strong> energy.<br />
The seminar also discussed management<br />
of solid waste <strong>and</strong> material<br />
management, water management,<br />
sustainable energy, waste to energy<br />
(W2E) <strong>and</strong> clean air.<br />
Germany, UK share experiences<br />
with Malaysian counterparts<br />
with a discussion on the future implications of<br />
Malaysia’s sustainable mobility agenda.<br />
The conference coincided with the<br />
Malaysian government’s new ‘National<br />
Automotive Policy’ (NAP) announced in<br />
January this year, which partly focuses on<br />
strengthening the energy-efficient vehicles<br />
industry. The government has also announced<br />
the gradual removal of fuel <strong>and</strong> electricity<br />
tariff subsidies, thereby stressing the importance<br />
of sustainability. In addition, a vision to<br />
strengthen the public transportation system<br />
is being implemented in phases.<br />
Malaysia’s aims of becoming a highincome<br />
nation by 2020 <strong>and</strong> at the same time<br />
reducing the carbon intensity of its economy<br />
by 40 per cent must converge into developing<br />
a sustainable, affordable <strong>and</strong> efficient<br />
transportation system, within <strong>and</strong> between<br />
its major cities.<br />
Germany <strong>and</strong> the UK have both developed<br />
innovative <strong>and</strong> far-reaching policies to support<br />
sustainable mobility. Energy efficient<br />
technical solutions from car manufacturers<br />
<strong>and</strong> suppliers, integrated transportation concepts<br />
<strong>and</strong> renewable energy solutions have<br />
made individual <strong>and</strong> public transport more<br />
efficient. At the same time, carbon emissions<br />
have been reduced substantially.<br />
In order to achieve Malaysia’s goals,<br />
sustainability <strong>and</strong> industrial development<br />
can go h<strong>and</strong> in h<strong>and</strong>. Stakeholders ranging<br />
from policy makers to governing authorities,<br />
research <strong>and</strong> development bodies to industry<br />
players <strong>and</strong> consumers are required to work<br />
together to drive this long term goal.<br />
Against this background this jointly<br />
organised one-day conference focussed on all<br />
forms of energy-efficient transport <strong>and</strong> sustainability<br />
solutions policies <strong>and</strong> best practice<br />
examples from Germany <strong>and</strong> the UK along<br />
with those from Malaysia were presented<br />
<strong>and</strong> innovative solutions to the common<br />
challenges were evaluated. The results shall<br />
contribute to the formulation of proposals that<br />
will support Malaysia’s vision of achieving a<br />
higher sustainability in the transportation<br />
sector.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 25
COLUMN<br />
Malaysia – a bubbling, bustling melting-pot of races <strong>and</strong> religions where Malays, Indians, Chinese <strong>and</strong> many other ethnic groups live together in<br />
peace <strong>and</strong> harmony<br />
I<br />
had the wonderful privilege of<br />
spending 11 days in Kuala Lumpur<br />
this October. If I were asked to summarise<br />
my impressions, I would<br />
use two words: beautiful potential.<br />
I believe that Malaysia in all its beauty<br />
holds the key to Asia’s green future.<br />
I have lived in the global melting<br />
pot of the United States all of my life.<br />
Through my work with <strong>Green</strong> Project<br />
Management® (GPM®), I have traveled<br />
throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle<br />
East, <strong>and</strong> Asia experiencing the best of<br />
what each culture has to offer.<br />
Looking at Malaysia through the<br />
eyes of a global citizen, I see something<br />
special. The best of Chinese <strong>and</strong> Indian<br />
influences combines with the rich indigenous<br />
Malay culture to create a unique<br />
gem of a nation. In “The Way Forward,”<br />
the former prime minister Dato Seri<br />
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad called it “a<br />
confident Malaysian society infused by<br />
strong moral <strong>and</strong> ethical values”.<br />
In an honorary doctorate acceptance<br />
message at the University of Malaysia<br />
in August 2010, Daisaku Ikeda stated<br />
that “the key to building a peaceful<br />
<strong>and</strong> humane global society in the 21st<br />
century lies in developing our ability<br />
to respect diversity <strong>and</strong> learn from<br />
Malaysia’s great<br />
green potential<br />
Best of Chinese <strong>and</strong> Indian influences combines with the rich<br />
indigenous Malay culture to create a unique gem of a nation<br />
By Dr. Joel<br />
Carboni<br />
President<br />
<strong>and</strong> founder<br />
of <strong>Green</strong> Project<br />
Management<br />
different values <strong>and</strong> cultures.”<br />
This is what I believe is the promise<br />
to Southeast Asia <strong>and</strong> the rest of the<br />
world that Malaysia represents.<br />
I titled this article “Malaysia’s Great<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Potential” as the foundational<br />
building blocks necessary to realize<br />
monumental achievements towards a<br />
green Malaysian economy. Now, it is a<br />
matter of bringing them to fruition.<br />
The budget that was recently<br />
released is one such aspect <strong>and</strong> is<br />
critical that the government serves as a<br />
driver. The 2015 budget provides opportunities<br />
for growth <strong>and</strong> development,<br />
the advancement of women, enhanced<br />
job opportunities, <strong>and</strong> improved<br />
education. All these components will<br />
be critical in moving Malaysia up the<br />
Value Chain. One such measurement<br />
to look for is a higher ranking on the<br />
UNDP Human Development list where<br />
Malaysia is currently 62nd (neighboring<br />
states Singapore 9th, Thail<strong>and</strong> 89th, <strong>and</strong><br />
Indonesia 108th).<br />
Referring back to Dr. Mahathir’s<br />
paper <strong>and</strong> the nine challenges he<br />
presented, one comes to the forefront<br />
in the context of unlocking Malaysia’s<br />
great green potential; the challenge of<br />
‘establishing a scientific <strong>and</strong> progressive<br />
society, a society that is innovative<br />
<strong>and</strong> forward-looking, one that is not<br />
only a consumer or technology but<br />
also a contributor to the scientific <strong>and</strong><br />
technological civilization of the future’.<br />
The keys to achieving these goals<br />
can be found in two places. The first is<br />
26<br />
november-december, green+.2014
COLUMN<br />
in the transition towards a low-carbon<br />
<strong>and</strong> resource-efficient economy that<br />
will reshape the labour market <strong>and</strong><br />
open new opportunities for job growth.<br />
Malaysia’s outlook towards 2020 for<br />
renewable energy is expected to create<br />
RM70 billion <strong>and</strong> support in upwards<br />
of 50,000 jobs while reducing carbon<br />
emissions by 40%.<br />
The commitment to achieving<br />
these targets looms large as globally,<br />
the relationship between sustainable<br />
development, green growth <strong>and</strong> good<br />
labor market performance, while not<br />
automatic, are mutually reinforcing.<br />
Investing in renewable energy, waste<br />
management, sustainable forestry,<br />
green technology <strong>and</strong> sustainable business<br />
practices can serve as economic<br />
drivers, stimulate job creation <strong>and</strong><br />
national development while mitigating<br />
environmental <strong>and</strong> social challenges.<br />
The second, <strong>and</strong> what I believe is<br />
the most critical of the two, exists on<br />
a fundamental level <strong>and</strong> must become<br />
part of the cultural l<strong>and</strong>scape for business<br />
nationally: sustainable business<br />
practices.<br />
In order for Malaysia to become a<br />
fully developed <strong>and</strong> high-income nation,<br />
national corporations must invest in<br />
their greatest asset, their workforce.<br />
They must also look across its borders<br />
at sustainability leaders among counterparts<br />
from other nations, set goals<br />
<strong>and</strong> be determined to raise the bar<br />
locally. The number of organizations<br />
that practice sustainability reporting<br />
through the Global Reporting Initiative<br />
(GRI) needs to increase, as well as the<br />
participation in the UN Global Compact<br />
by Malaysian CEOs. This establishes ties<br />
to global entities that drive sustainable<br />
development directly <strong>and</strong> naturally<br />
elevate Malaysia’s status among developed<br />
nations.<br />
The additional benefits of having<br />
a national increase in sustainability<br />
reporting will be realized in greater<br />
agility in planning, monitoring, <strong>and</strong><br />
evaluating the effectiveness of national<br />
policies, as well as establishing a firm<br />
trajectory up the global value chain. For<br />
the corporations, through compare<strong>and</strong>-contrast<br />
activities, they will<br />
establish market differentiation <strong>and</strong><br />
investor <strong>and</strong> shareholder confidence<br />
while increasing organizational<br />
maturation.<br />
There is a quote that has been popping<br />
up on social media that depicts a<br />
CEO <strong>and</strong> CFO holding a conversation<br />
where the CEO asks, “What happens<br />
if we train our employees <strong>and</strong> they<br />
leave?” The CFO responds, “What happens<br />
if we don’t <strong>and</strong> they stay?” This is<br />
a great message about investing in your<br />
best assets: your workforce.<br />
To develop OCC, organizations must first have<br />
the organizational structure in place that<br />
encourages a systems approach to thinking by<br />
breaking the rigid silo approach <strong>and</strong> therefore<br />
has the entire organization in mind <strong>and</strong> the<br />
buy-in from all levels when making critical<br />
decisions.<br />
Further establishing organizational<br />
capacity for change requires continuous<br />
improvement <strong>and</strong> repeatedly asking these<br />
questions:<br />
Where are we? – Do we have a benchmark<br />
that outlines how our organizational systems<br />
approach change initiatives, <strong>and</strong> are they<br />
sustainable?<br />
What is working <strong>and</strong> what is not working?<br />
– This is self-explanatory, but oftentimes,<br />
organizations that operate in silo capacities<br />
do not have the objectivity to look inward <strong>and</strong><br />
change what is holding them back.<br />
Where do we want to be? – Set a clear target<br />
for productivity <strong>and</strong> sustainability. The two go<br />
h<strong>and</strong> in h<strong>and</strong>.<br />
What do we need to change, <strong>and</strong> what are<br />
the key priorities? - Establish a roadmap that<br />
includes short- <strong>and</strong> long-term goals, as well as<br />
An even more powerful message<br />
could read, “What happens if we invest<br />
in our employees, <strong>and</strong> we are not change<br />
ready <strong>and</strong> therefore can’t benefit?” or,<br />
“Why are we investing in training our<br />
employees in areas that are not relevant<br />
or a priority for our organization right<br />
now?”<br />
In a 2013 a survey of 1000 CEOs was<br />
conducted by Accenture <strong>and</strong> the United<br />
Nations Global Compact that spanned<br />
27 industries in 103 countries, 93%<br />
regarded sustainability as a new key for<br />
business success.<br />
These outcomes indicate that there<br />
is little argument that organizations<br />
are realizing that they must become<br />
more sustainable <strong>and</strong> “get in shape,”<br />
the question that is most commonly<br />
asked is “how?” The key lies in aligning<br />
organizational priorities to strategy <strong>and</strong><br />
expectations. Growing towards a sustainable<br />
model requires organizational<br />
capacity for change (OCC).<br />
quick wins.<br />
How will we get there? – Work with a third<br />
party to assist in performing an assessment<br />
with health checks.<br />
How will we know we are there? - Establish<br />
key performance indicators (KPI) <strong>and</strong> a level to<br />
achieve against an international rating system.<br />
Periodic health checks using external<br />
evaluation systems such as the GPM® PSM3<br />
Sustainability Assessment Model supports<br />
organizations in building the capacity to<br />
make the right decisions. In order to achieve<br />
the benefits that drive an organization<br />
upward, it can leverage what works well across<br />
the enterprise <strong>and</strong> establish key metrics that<br />
the organization can measure, manage, <strong>and</strong><br />
ultimately achieve.<br />
The developed nations of the world are fast<br />
realizing the gains by investing in sustainability<br />
<strong>and</strong> with Asean Free Trade Agreement (Afta)<br />
coming into full effect in 2015, Malaysia can<br />
capitalize by increasing its collective capacity<br />
for change by investing in the assets that are<br />
already in place, emphasizing a culture of<br />
innovation. This will transform potential into<br />
momentum <strong>and</strong> reality.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 27
<strong>Green</strong> Plus Advert copyFINAL+GREEN+.pdf 1 18/12/14 6:11 PM<br />
EVENTS<br />
Building for a<br />
better tomorrow<br />
Inaugural <strong>Green</strong> Buildings & Parks World 2014 designed<br />
to provide platform for developers, professionals <strong>and</strong><br />
government bodies to converge <strong>and</strong> share<br />
Concern about the environment<br />
<strong>and</strong> the renewability<br />
of our resources, with global<br />
warming <strong>and</strong> changes in<br />
our weather pattern of<br />
late is currently at the heart of the<br />
real estate <strong>and</strong> urban planning industry.<br />
The development of innovative<br />
technologies greatly affects our daily<br />
lives <strong>and</strong> offers a wealth of new possibilities.<br />
This also applies to today’s<br />
buildings <strong>and</strong> those of tomorrow.<br />
The emerging technologies for the<br />
development of energy-efficient<br />
buildings are attracting consumers<br />
<strong>and</strong> businesses to dem<strong>and</strong> for green<br />
development. The trend is clear: new<br />
materials, pioneering technologies for<br />
utilizing renewable energy <strong>and</strong> the<br />
use of l<strong>and</strong>scape <strong>and</strong> parks are significant<br />
innovations in construction <strong>and</strong><br />
building technologies of recent years.<br />
The inaugural <strong>Green</strong> Buildings &<br />
Parks World 2014 that was staged<br />
on December 1-3, 2014 at the Borneo<br />
Convention Centre in Kuching, Sarawak<br />
was designed to provide a platform for<br />
developers, professionals <strong>and</strong> government<br />
bodies to converge <strong>and</strong> share,<br />
learn <strong>and</strong> collaborate to improve the<br />
green buildings <strong>and</strong> parks of their<br />
Technical Tour: Welcome Remarks by Ir. Simon Loh,<br />
Manager (Corporate Shared Services - Property), Sarawak<br />
Energy Berhad<br />
countries. The areas of discussion<br />
including:<br />
Latest <strong>Green</strong> Certification Criteria<br />
<strong>and</strong> Scores<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>-building Materials<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Building Design Innovation<br />
L<strong>and</strong>scapes & Parks in <strong>Green</strong><br />
Buildings<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Incentives for Developers<br />
The objective<br />
To provide an overview on the latest<br />
green certifications criteria <strong>and</strong> scores<br />
of the region’s green buildings<br />
To share <strong>and</strong> exchange ideas on<br />
latest designs <strong>and</strong> innovations in green<br />
buildings <strong>and</strong> eco-building materials<br />
To identify key trends <strong>and</strong> issues<br />
confronting the sustainable development<br />
growth for the region’s green<br />
buildings<br />
To provide networking <strong>and</strong> build<br />
business opportunities whilst engaged<br />
in discussion on pertinent issues with<br />
industry experts<br />
The highlights<br />
A High Calibre Summit<br />
The Comprehensive Services<br />
Showcase<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Matching Meetings<br />
Post-conference Technical Tours<br />
Benefits<br />
Unrivalled access to a target audience<br />
of developers, consultants,<br />
engineers, manufacturers, policy<br />
makers, regulators <strong>and</strong> captains of the<br />
industry<br />
A flagship event to exchange ideas<br />
with the industry experts while being<br />
updated on the latest policies, green<br />
certifications, regulations <strong>and</strong> developments<br />
in the green building industry<br />
A platform for networking <strong>and</strong><br />
establishing contacts for future business<br />
collaborations<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
CM<br />
MY<br />
CY<br />
CMY<br />
K<br />
VIPs <strong>and</strong> Guest of Honour officiating the launch of <strong>Green</strong> Buildings<br />
& Parks World 2014 (from left): Mike Cannon, Managing Director of<br />
Sarawak Convention Bureau, Safri Zainudin, Permanent Secretary<br />
of Ministry of Infrastructure Development <strong>and</strong> Communications<br />
Sarawak, Maria Boey, President of Institute of Parks <strong>and</strong><br />
Recreation Singapore <strong>and</strong> Dato Sri Michael Manyin Ak. Jawong,<br />
Minister of Infrastructure Development <strong>and</strong> Communications<br />
Sarawak, Paul Martin Yeo, CEO of Confexhub Group.<br />
Deep discussion: <strong><strong>Green</strong>+</strong> Managing Editor Johnson Fern<strong>and</strong>ez chaired the<br />
session on <strong>Green</strong> Incentives & Financing Options For <strong>Green</strong> Infrastructure.<br />
The panelists were (from left) Azrin Azizuddin (EXIM Bank Senior Manager,<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Support Department), Zaini Abdul Wahab (Principal Consultant &<br />
Director, Connecsys Group) <strong>and</strong> Ir Kevin Hor (National Project Manager <strong>and</strong><br />
Consultant, Bullding Sector Energy Efficiency Project)<br />
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Regenerative design,<br />
the next conversation of<br />
<strong>Green</strong>-built environment<br />
Why going ‘<strong>Green</strong>’ is merely the opening chapter towards<br />
the better built environment we need to be in<br />
A<br />
reality check indeed.<br />
Recently I gave a talk in<br />
the World Diabetes Day<br />
(14/11/14) awareness<br />
exhibition which was held<br />
at KLCC Esplanade, in partnership with<br />
Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company<br />
which manufactures one fifth of<br />
the world’s insulin supply. So you may<br />
be thinking, what does a green building<br />
consultant have to do with World<br />
Diabetes Day? Winston Churchill<br />
once quoted “We shape our buildings,<br />
<strong>and</strong> afterwards our buildings shape<br />
us”. The evidence of us unveiling the<br />
p<strong>and</strong>ora’s box of urban planning is<br />
irrefutably obvious, from the increasing<br />
occurrence of flash flood around<br />
the greater Klang Valley, to being a<br />
nation rated as the highest among<br />
Asian countries for obesity. It nonsensical<br />
to place an escalator serving a<br />
gym, neither designing a wide spread<br />
horizontal city that requires ever stationary<br />
human beings sitting in their<br />
carbon releasing machines crawling<br />
across the miles when they could just<br />
walk actively in a multi usage medium<br />
density vertical city.<br />
Cities are the physical testimonies<br />
of any civilization success, be it the<br />
famous historical l<strong>and</strong>marks, ever<br />
increasing modern skyscraper, efficient<br />
public transportation system<br />
or the public squares <strong>and</strong> parks.<br />
Nevertheless, it is a fact that our built<br />
environment revolves closely with<br />
the driving force of economics today,<br />
which has subsequently caused many<br />
externalities which are not accounted<br />
for. One of it is public health impact<br />
<strong>and</strong> community well-being which I<br />
had elaborated during the talk then.<br />
It is exciting to see the progressive<br />
growth of green building wave which<br />
is participated by various authorities<br />
<strong>and</strong> property markets ever since<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Building Index was introduced<br />
in 2009. To date, GBI has charted 100<br />
million square feet of green buildings<br />
certified <strong>and</strong> many related built environment<br />
stakeholders are proposing<br />
various alternative green building<br />
rating tools.<br />
Gene-Harn<br />
currently<br />
works as<br />
a <strong>Green</strong><br />
Building<br />
Consultant<br />
at IEN<br />
Consultants<br />
based in<br />
Bangsar. The<br />
architecture<br />
masters<br />
student is<br />
passionate<br />
towards the<br />
potential<br />
benefits of<br />
sustainable<br />
urban design<br />
<strong>and</strong> green<br />
buildings<br />
towards<br />
the aspect<br />
of social,<br />
environment<br />
<strong>and</strong> economy<br />
for a better<br />
world.<br />
Redefining Sustainability<br />
through Sufficiency Themed<br />
Design Process<br />
However, one needs to be cautiously<br />
optimistic because even with the<br />
entire city <strong>and</strong> all buildings certified as<br />
‘green’, that is merely solving the tip of<br />
the iceberg of our built environment<br />
complexity issues. Sustainability is a<br />
noble ambition, but one I believe is short<br />
sighted <strong>and</strong> increasingly meaningless<br />
in today’s developing world. Even, the<br />
word “<strong>Sustainable</strong> Development” is<br />
probably the most oxymoron term ever<br />
existed. Simply due to the fact that it is<br />
not possible for an infinite growth on a<br />
finite planet, this is also even if you have<br />
a very low carbon or ecological footprint<br />
per capita, but with a projection of 10 billion<br />
population by 2030.<br />
If one is to evaluate the true sustainability<br />
of our built environment, one<br />
has to look at regenerative design, the<br />
process oriented systems theory based<br />
approach to design, or, to design the<br />
way of our city. Communities should<br />
restore natural capital <strong>and</strong> produce<br />
Insight By Gene-Harn<br />
positive externalities, in contrast to the<br />
current, much economic development<br />
centric building industry progress<br />
which means little for mankind progress.<br />
Regenerative design develops a<br />
mutually enhancing relationship with<br />
the earth. It augments the capacity<br />
of existing resources <strong>and</strong> systems,<br />
rather than depleting or simply maintaining<br />
them. If we measure our built<br />
environment performance against the<br />
following 6 aspects <strong>and</strong> 3 fundamental<br />
principles, it is clear that our current<br />
state of green building wave progress<br />
is incommensurate to the rate of<br />
deterioration of our built environment<br />
in respect to the holistic principles of<br />
regenerative design.<br />
FOOD AND SOIL<br />
Soil is Gold. Soil is a non-renewable<br />
resource that is often taken for granted.<br />
While the green revolution in agriculture<br />
is credited with allowing relatively<br />
few farmers to feed over 7 billion people<br />
across the world, it has been extremely<br />
damaging to the natural health <strong>and</strong><br />
productivity of the soil as well as the<br />
social fabric of rural communities.<br />
There is a finite amount of arable l<strong>and</strong><br />
in Malaysia alone which is only 8% of<br />
total area space, <strong>and</strong> we need to use<br />
l<strong>and</strong> judiciously <strong>and</strong> according to its<br />
capabilities <strong>and</strong> assets. The factuality<br />
of nature cannot be our total morality,<br />
but by being ignorant of nature we are<br />
ignorant of our limits as well as our possibilities.<br />
Most of us simply do not know<br />
the origins of the food on our plates<br />
<strong>and</strong> also where does the 930 tonnes of<br />
Malaysia food waste go to daily.<br />
There is an urgent need to decentralize<br />
<strong>and</strong> relocalize growth, variety,<br />
distribution <strong>and</strong> waste h<strong>and</strong>ling of food,<br />
to replenish <strong>and</strong> rejuvenate the soil by<br />
closing the nutrient loop, to encourage<br />
urban permaculture trend to be commercially<br />
recognized. The crucial fact is<br />
that by decentralizing <strong>and</strong> encouraging<br />
community sufficient food system,<br />
there will be food security through<br />
localized food sovereignty. Both<br />
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Shao Lyn (Right), founder of Eats Shoots <strong>and</strong> Roots, raising the awareness on the need of urban farming <strong>and</strong> permaculture.<br />
tangible, <strong>and</strong> intangible benefits result<br />
from local food system support, these<br />
includes health, the local economy, the<br />
environment, <strong>and</strong> the well-being of the<br />
community, including the social networks<br />
that are vital in nation building.<br />
SHELTHER AND PLACE<br />
Regenerative design is not merely on<br />
the built <strong>and</strong> natural environment,<br />
but the software of it, people, which is<br />
equivalent essential in justifying the<br />
fairshare of our planet resources without<br />
the monopolization by certain<br />
interest groups. The human spirit needs<br />
inspiration <strong>and</strong> nurturing. Communities<br />
are created when people feel attached<br />
to a place <strong>and</strong> attached to people. The<br />
urgent social security we face today is<br />
the inequality within society that has<br />
caused us insecurity in our social living<br />
environment. We need to cultivate<br />
places with a diversity of people, species,<br />
incomes, functions, <strong>and</strong> a varied<br />
built environment that leads to more<br />
tolerance <strong>and</strong> allow these elements to<br />
support each other.<br />
It is utterly gibberish to have a<br />
neighbourhood design that promotes<br />
environmental sustainability but<br />
socially discriminate the rich from the<br />
EPIC Home, a social enterprise which aims to build relationship between the urban <strong>and</strong> rural divide<br />
through the activity of building homes for underprivileged indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia.<br />
poor. This includes the many elite gated<br />
<strong>and</strong> guarded communities we see today,<br />
which I highly doubt its community’s<br />
social cohesiveness can be any better<br />
than that of the low cost flats population<br />
instead. Cities must be designed<br />
to enhance social connections <strong>and</strong> the<br />
serendipitous culture of the street,<br />
which also respects <strong>and</strong> emulates the<br />
spirit of the place. Our built environment<br />
shall build dignified homes for all<br />
members of society, granting equivalent<br />
rights for all to assess to green<br />
space <strong>and</strong> wild space, <strong>and</strong> even, inviting<br />
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other species to share the l<strong>and</strong> together<br />
as part of the good practice of biophilic<br />
city design. Aldo Leopold summarized<br />
it well “We abuse l<strong>and</strong> because we<br />
regard it as a commodity belonging to<br />
us. When we see l<strong>and</strong> as a community<br />
to which we belong, we may begin to<br />
use it with love <strong>and</strong> respect.”<br />
WATER<br />
Another hard truth we face in this 21st<br />
century is the global water crisis. Only<br />
0.3% of the freshwater in the world is<br />
readily accessible surface water. By<br />
2025, 52 countries, with two thirds of<br />
the world’s population, will likely to face<br />
fresh water shortage. Water is the blood<br />
of the Earth. It is a vital to all the organisms<br />
who live on Earth as our blood is<br />
to us. An unhealthy aquatic system<br />
can lead to algal blooms, swimming<br />
closures, weed infestations, fish kills,<br />
waterborne illnesses <strong>and</strong> contaminated<br />
ground water. A river will be clean only<br />
if nothing fouls it up in the first place.<br />
With the 300,000 tonnes of garbage,<br />
enough to fill 100 Olympic-sized swimming<br />
pools being dumped into our<br />
Malaysian rivers yearly <strong>and</strong> many other<br />
source of contaminants, what makes<br />
us think that we deserve clean water<br />
after all?<br />
The rules towards a justifiable usage<br />
of water are simple <strong>and</strong> widely known<br />
but only few or none of us practice<br />
them due to our dirt cheap subsidized<br />
potable water, that does not reflect the<br />
true ecological externality cost. The<br />
fact is the built environment we live<br />
in today sees water as a cheap commodity<br />
so much (or even free!), that we<br />
isolate ourselves from the very much<br />
perceived “contaminated” rainwater<br />
for simple h<strong>and</strong> washing for example.<br />
Yet, we hear citizens complaining on<br />
the water shortage while free <strong>and</strong><br />
clean water is pouring down on their<br />
roofs then. We need to regenerate<br />
our cities <strong>and</strong> peoples’ mind sets to<br />
celebrate the availability of water by<br />
harvesting precipitation while allowing<br />
ground water replenishment, by<br />
treating greywater <strong>and</strong> blackwater as a<br />
resource, by enhancing aquatic health,<br />
instead of glorifying our magical water<br />
taps at home. The health of waterways<br />
is important in the health of the entire<br />
ecosystem, including human’s.<br />
ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION<br />
It is known from Malaysia National<br />
Energy Balance 2012 sheet that the<br />
transportation <strong>and</strong> building sector<br />
accounts for 37% <strong>and</strong> 15% of the total<br />
energy usage. The scattered forms<br />
of development that both urban<br />
<strong>and</strong> rural areas have adopted over<br />
the last 60 years require significant<br />
Good Design: Singapore’s Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park features water playground which offers a different<br />
outdoor learning experience for its surrounding residential community.<br />
Jeffery Lim (Left), the founder of Cycling Kuala Lumpur Bicycle map, leading a group of cyclist over a<br />
one day tour to rediscover the lost spaces of Petaling Jaya.<br />
transportation infrastructure dependent<br />
on a cheap <strong>and</strong> accessible supply<br />
of energy. Today, we live in an increasingly<br />
mobile world where we expect to<br />
be able to fly or drive outstation over<br />
the weekend. The modes of transport<br />
<strong>and</strong> the high energy dem<strong>and</strong> environment<br />
we live in require large amounts<br />
of fossil fuel, produce air pollution <strong>and</strong><br />
contribute to climate destabilization.<br />
On the contrary on design thought,<br />
how would society <strong>and</strong> our sense of<br />
place be impacted by reduced mobility<br />
<strong>and</strong> recreational activities that<br />
occurred closer to home?<br />
Energy <strong>and</strong> transportation dem<strong>and</strong><br />
can be reduced by creating beautiful<br />
whole communities. Do people feel less<br />
of a need to escape to the countryside<br />
when they have a strong sense of place<br />
<strong>and</strong> attachment to their community?<br />
Perhaps there need to be more places<br />
to escape to within the city, this<br />
includes having access to recreation<br />
in natural spaces, quiet sheltered<br />
repose, vibrant street lie <strong>and</strong> shopping<br />
opportunities among other things. By<br />
designing for integrated communities<br />
with multipurpose infrastructure<br />
<strong>and</strong> encouraging active mobility such<br />
as walking or cycling, there is huge<br />
earning in the aspect of energy conservation<br />
before we even start talking<br />
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about energy efficiency or renewable<br />
energy.<br />
MATTER AND WASTE<br />
It is a matter of fact that industrialized<br />
nations have become throw-away<br />
societies. We label ourselves as ‘consumers’<br />
as if this is what our purpose<br />
in life is. Media <strong>and</strong> marketing do not<br />
just advertise products, they redefine<br />
your “wants” as “needs”. Obsolescence<br />
is built in to product design so that a<br />
replacement product will have to be<br />
purchased in a few years. This not only<br />
consumes large amounts of material<br />
<strong>and</strong> resources but rapidly exhausts<br />
l<strong>and</strong>fill capacity. How can attitudes<br />
toward purchases be changed from<br />
choices based on immediate cost<br />
to choices that consider the quality,<br />
durability <strong>and</strong> carbon footprint of the<br />
product? Take for instance, a plastic<br />
pop bottle cannot become another pop<br />
bottle upon recycling. It will be turned<br />
into a product or material of lower quality<br />
with fewer possible uses. Eventually,<br />
a product that has been downcycled like<br />
this loses its ability to be recycled hence<br />
becomes a waste.<br />
The idea of ‘waste’ needs to be<br />
discarded. From the aspect of regenerative,<br />
the output of the system of human<br />
consumption must become input for<br />
another process. This is popularized by<br />
the term “Cradle to Cradle” concept by<br />
William McDonough. In order to be able<br />
to achieve zero waste, all material needs<br />
to be categorized as either biological or<br />
technical. Technical materials, or nutrients,<br />
consist of non-toxic synthetic<br />
materials that can be continuously<br />
recycled without losing their integrity<br />
or quality. Biological nutrients are<br />
organic materials that can be returned<br />
to the natural environment to decompose<br />
once they are no longer useful to<br />
humans. These two categories needs<br />
to be kept separated from source so<br />
that objects <strong>and</strong> their components stay<br />
circulating continuously within their<br />
stream.<br />
ECONOMIES AND GOVERNANCE<br />
Our current economic paradigm is<br />
based on flawed theories. It fundamentally<br />
ignores the ecological foundations<br />
upon which all systems on earth are<br />
based. Its sole focus is financial capital<br />
– ignoring natural capital, human capital,<br />
social capital, <strong>and</strong> built capital. Can<br />
a system that simply measures one<br />
output – Goss Domestic Product GDP<br />
accurately measure the well-being or<br />
progressive growth of a society? For<br />
example, the disparity between rich<br />
<strong>and</strong> poor within a nation has a strong<br />
correlation to the health of the entire<br />
population. The less of a gap there is<br />
Biji Biji initiative, a social enterprise which focuses in product design of upcycled material, has been<br />
constantly finding creative ways to reuse trash through various prototype development <strong>and</strong> production.<br />
between those on top <strong>and</strong> those on the<br />
bottom, the healthier all citizens are.<br />
The regenerative aspect seeks a<br />
holistic alternative instead of the traditional<br />
economics. The true “Genuine<br />
Wealth” as proposed by Mark Anielski,<br />
an ecological economist, measures five<br />
capital assets: human, social, natural,<br />
built <strong>and</strong> financial. The findings conclude<br />
that the localization of the economy is<br />
an effective way of circulating resources<br />
within the community, thus impacting<br />
several of different types of capital<br />
simultaneously. Governments should<br />
facilitate policy to be flexible enough to<br />
encourage continual adjustments as<br />
we learn from the implementation of<br />
new strategies as described above to<br />
address the environmental, social <strong>and</strong><br />
economic issues facing society.<br />
Driving all these to happen<br />
While the amplification of regenerative<br />
WWW.MESYM.<br />
COM Malaysia<br />
Environmental<br />
Sustainability<br />
Youth<br />
Movements,<br />
an integrated<br />
virtual platform<br />
crowdsourcing<br />
on<br />
environmental<br />
movements<br />
within Malaysia,<br />
organizes<br />
monthly<br />
documentary<br />
screening<br />
which tries to<br />
bridge various<br />
stakeholder<br />
to a casual<br />
discussion.<br />
design written into six different<br />
aspects spanning across three major<br />
themes, the conversation on<br />
regenerative design is still relatively<br />
novice <strong>and</strong> its academic definition is<br />
still on the argument board. However,<br />
each of the regenerative principles<br />
themselves are quite broad <strong>and</strong><br />
there are many ways of being true to<br />
them through design. These may be<br />
discovered as our worldviews evolve<br />
to see problems in a new light, or as<br />
the application of certain design ideas<br />
fails – perfection should not get in the<br />
way of greatness – let’s start by doing<br />
something, which we have already,<br />
by riding on the green building wave,<br />
<strong>and</strong> improve it as we go. One thing<br />
is certain, that our current economic<br />
model <strong>and</strong> built environment<br />
progress does little or none<br />
progress to the overall well-being of<br />
society.<br />
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PART 2<br />
Key elements must<br />
be clearly stipulated<br />
<strong>and</strong> agreed upon<br />
Investments from EPC projects implementation could also<br />
contribute to the growth<br />
Here I would like to share<br />
on key steps <strong>and</strong> key elements<br />
that need to be<br />
considered in implementing<br />
energy saving projects<br />
using the EPC energy saving model.<br />
Key Steps In the<br />
Implementation Process<br />
Based on my reading <strong>and</strong> some research<br />
on EPC, below is how I could summarise<br />
on key steps involved to ensure EPC<br />
process will work.<br />
1. EPC needs confirmation by Building<br />
Owner: The building owners have<br />
made assessments <strong>and</strong> EPC agreed<br />
by top management as a model that<br />
is employed for the implementation<br />
of energy saving projects over the<br />
use of the internal budget where<br />
the potential building has been<br />
identified.<br />
2. Preparation of basic information,<br />
objective, assessment criteria <strong>and</strong><br />
guidelines in the implementation<br />
EPC project in the building.<br />
3. Notification <strong>and</strong> publicity for the<br />
invitation to the implementation of<br />
the EPC project – to spread the news<br />
to all interested parties about the<br />
project with the eligibility requirements<br />
<strong>and</strong> criteria in a nutshell.<br />
4. Briefing by building owners to<br />
interested ESCOs, site visits <strong>and</strong> the<br />
h<strong>and</strong>ing over of basic information of<br />
the building.<br />
5. Submission of the preliminary<br />
proposal by ESCOs based on<br />
the evaluation criteria <strong>and</strong> basic<br />
information.<br />
6. Evaluation preliminary Proposal<br />
by ESCOs based the assessment<br />
criteria.<br />
7. The appointment of ESCO to implement<br />
EPC project based on an<br />
energy audit to be carried out with<br />
the conditions agreed in the EPC<br />
contract.<br />
8. ESCO to conduct a detailed energy<br />
audit, propose implementation <strong>and</strong><br />
investment proposal using EPC<br />
model together with the draft EPC<br />
contract document.<br />
By Zaini<br />
Abdul Wahab<br />
9. Negotiate EPC contractual terms<br />
of the proposed investment for the<br />
implementation where the conditions<br />
discussed by the ESCO <strong>and</strong> the<br />
building owner to be finalized.<br />
10. Signing of EPC Contract with conditions<br />
that have been agreed upon.<br />
11. EPC Project Implementation which<br />
will cover improvements <strong>and</strong> the<br />
installation of energy efficient<br />
equipment <strong>and</strong> systems, testing <strong>and</strong><br />
validation of performance <strong>and</strong> measurements<br />
of actual energy savings<br />
based on the baseline <strong>and</strong> methods<br />
that have been agreed upon;<br />
12. Monitoring <strong>and</strong> verification actual<br />
achieved <strong>and</strong> monthly payments to<br />
the ESCO<br />
Key selection criteria of ESCO to<br />
perform EPC projects<br />
The selection of qualified <strong>and</strong> capable<br />
ESCO is very-very critical in determining<br />
the success of the implementation<br />
of the EPC project to achieve energy<br />
savings as had been committed.<br />
Apart from having the capability in<br />
terms of technical expertise to identify<br />
<strong>and</strong> implement energy-saving’s potential<br />
project or proposed measures, there<br />
are several other criteria that must be<br />
considered.<br />
Among them are:<br />
i) The ability of the qualified <strong>and</strong> competent<br />
management <strong>and</strong> technical<br />
personnel of the ESCO to manage<br />
<strong>and</strong> execute EPC projects;<br />
ii) The financial strength of the company<br />
to fund a project either by using<br />
internal financial resources or loans<br />
from financial institutions, <strong>and</strong><br />
iii) Track record <strong>and</strong> experience in<br />
implementing projects with EPC<br />
concept including the scale of<br />
investment in the projects<br />
As a guide, the Malaysian<br />
Association of Energy Services<br />
Company (MAESCO) has proposed a list<br />
of criteria to evaluate an ESCO that can<br />
be used as a reference or basis based on<br />
feedback <strong>and</strong> experience of its members<br />
in implementing EPC projects.<br />
A summary of the proposed criteria<br />
include the following:<br />
i) The minimum paid-up capital <strong>and</strong><br />
financial position ESCO - to ensure<br />
that the ESCO has enough basic<br />
financial position to be considered<br />
by the bank for any financing;<br />
ii) The need to have a top management<br />
<strong>and</strong> technical teams with minimum<br />
qualifications <strong>and</strong> experiences<br />
in project implementation Energy<br />
Conservation projects especially in<br />
using EPC model;<br />
iii) The need to have permanent technical<br />
support groups to implement the<br />
proposed energy saving projects;<br />
<strong>and</strong><br />
iv) The need to have the basic equipment<br />
for conducting detailed energy<br />
audit.<br />
In addition to the criteria mentioned<br />
above, other important criteria to<br />
ensure that the qualifications <strong>and</strong><br />
capability of an ESCO to implement the<br />
EPC projects particularly in the government<br />
sector are as follows:<br />
i) The Company has been registered<br />
with the Energy Commission as an<br />
ESCO;<br />
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ii) Must be registered with the<br />
Ministry of Finance as a provider<br />
of services under the <strong>Green</strong><br />
Technology Code 222 801;<br />
iii) To submit a record <strong>and</strong> information<br />
about EPC projects ever<br />
<strong>and</strong> is being implemented as a<br />
reference mainly involving largescale<br />
investments;<br />
iv) Submission of proposed method<br />
for the measurement <strong>and</strong> monitoring<br />
of energy savings each<br />
month on a regular basis over<br />
the term of the EPC contract to<br />
be implemented. The method<br />
of calculating the energy savings<br />
achieved must be based<br />
on the actual measurement of<br />
the difference in total energy<br />
consumption before <strong>and</strong> after<br />
implementation of the proposed<br />
energy conservation project;<br />
v) Be prepared to conduct a detailed<br />
energy audit of buildings at no<br />
cost to the owner of the building<br />
facilities.<br />
Lastly, is the most crucial part<br />
to get the EPC project implemented<br />
which is the key elements <strong>and</strong> contents<br />
of EPC contractual documents.<br />
Key elements that must be clearly<br />
stipulated <strong>and</strong> agreed between the<br />
ESCO <strong>and</strong> the facilities owner are as<br />
follows:<br />
+ The proposed duration of the<br />
contract with the guarantee<br />
of energy cost savings <strong>and</strong><br />
conditions:<br />
+ The minimum amount of savings<br />
expected to be achieved<br />
+ The method, report formatting<br />
<strong>and</strong> formula for calculating<br />
shared savings will be paid to the<br />
ESCO;<br />
+ Conditions to be applied if savings<br />
achieved are less than<br />
guaranteed by the ESCO.<br />
+ The cost savings with significant<br />
changes of operations at the<br />
facilities.<br />
+ The responsibilities of building<br />
owners <strong>and</strong> the ESCO throughout<br />
the contract period.<br />
+ Maintenance, use, maintenance<br />
<strong>and</strong> modification or removal of<br />
the equipment that was installed<br />
Malaysia, the Philippines,<br />
Thail<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Indonesia all show<br />
significant power generation<br />
growth, with considerable<br />
opportunities also emerging in<br />
Myanmar as the government<br />
makes power sector reforms.<br />
by the ESCO by the facilities<br />
owner.<br />
+ If the equipment installed by<br />
the ESCO is lost or damaged <strong>and</strong><br />
guarantee of losses <strong>and</strong> liabilities<br />
by ESCO to the facilities owner.<br />
In a bigger picture, the<br />
investments from EPC projects<br />
implementation could also contribute<br />
to the growth of our economy<br />
<strong>and</strong> reduction of carbon dioxide gas<br />
emission through the reduction of<br />
energy consumption. That will be<br />
derived from investments made<br />
by ESCOs which will create more<br />
jobs from each EPC project <strong>and</strong><br />
the increase in the use of energy<br />
efficient technologies <strong>and</strong> products<br />
by among intensive energy users<br />
among business communities in<br />
Malaysia.<br />
Other benefits are more EPC<br />
projects implementation will create<br />
interests among younger generation<br />
<strong>and</strong> encourage more professionals<br />
to be look energy efficiency industry<br />
as a new field of attractive <strong>and</strong> good<br />
career prospects in the future.<br />
Zaini Abdul<br />
Wahab is<br />
a principal<br />
consultant<br />
& director of<br />
Connecys Sdn<br />
Bhd which<br />
specialiszes in<br />
consultancy<br />
for sustainable<br />
energy<br />
management<br />
system. He was<br />
also Director<br />
of Energy<br />
Efficiency at<br />
<strong>Sustainable</strong><br />
Energy<br />
Development<br />
Authority<br />
(SEDA) Malaysia<br />
<strong>and</strong> led the<br />
national EE<br />
initiatives<br />
under ETP <strong>and</strong><br />
also was the<br />
key resource<br />
person in the<br />
drafting of EE<br />
& Conservation<br />
Act by the<br />
Ministry of<br />
Energy, <strong>Green</strong><br />
Technology <strong>and</strong><br />
Water<br />
green+.2014, november-december 35
COLUMN<br />
Tips for Lifepath enhancement<br />
House with good Feng Shui features can be an excellent “tool” or channel for personal<br />
lifestyle <strong>and</strong> Lifepath enhancement, include the health, relationship, prosperity <strong>and</strong><br />
wealth accumulation for family members<br />
If you are in the midst of selecting,<br />
designing or renovating your lovely<br />
home now, here are some of the<br />
important <strong>and</strong> useful Good Feng<br />
Shui tips that I want to share with<br />
my readers.<br />
Good Feng Shui always refer the<br />
stove as the “heart” of the house. The<br />
stove in the kitchen represents the<br />
Fire element <strong>and</strong> it is a very important<br />
element because it affects the health,<br />
wealth <strong>and</strong> harmony amongst the<br />
family members.<br />
Avoid installing the stove within<br />
the Northwest or Southwest sectors of<br />
the house. Also ensure that the stove<br />
does not face any mirror, water basin,<br />
refrigerator, washing machine, main<br />
door, room door or toilet door. Also<br />
ensure that the stove is not installed<br />
right below the sewerage pipe else it will<br />
cause negative impacts to the family<br />
members’ health, relationship <strong>and</strong><br />
prosperity status.<br />
“Good Feng Shui Converge Water<br />
Technique” is the highest skill in<br />
Feng Shui implementation. A lot of<br />
people have been mistakenly made<br />
to believe that water in the Southwest<br />
sector surely brings great wealthluck.<br />
However, in the year 2014 (i.e.<br />
from now until the 3rd of February,<br />
2015), we should avoid installing any<br />
Water Feature such as aquarium or<br />
water fountain within the Southwest<br />
sector of the house, either internally<br />
By Kenny Hoo<br />
or externally, because it may trigger<br />
unnecessary love affairs, health problems<br />
or relationship tension amongst<br />
the family members.<br />
When selecting a house, in general<br />
Feng Shui principles, we always wish<br />
the house face to an open <strong>and</strong> wide<br />
space with greens, if possible backed<br />
by higher l<strong>and</strong> or mountains. Usually<br />
houses facing pools of water such as<br />
ponds, lakes, swimming pools or seafronts<br />
are more valuable. This is because<br />
these features provide stronger Feng<br />
Shui effects as it gathers a good set of Qi<br />
<strong>and</strong> thus is able to accumulate greater<br />
wealth <strong>and</strong> promote good health.<br />
Most people only want to acquire<br />
houses that face water pond, river or<br />
sea-front as these can bring about<br />
better fortune. However, houses facing<br />
mountains can be a good point too. The<br />
mountain in front of the house is able to<br />
accumulate good Qi at the Bright Hall.<br />
If the mountain in front of the house is<br />
smooth <strong>and</strong> greenish, the occupants<br />
especially the offspring of the family<br />
will enjoy better health, wealth, <strong>and</strong><br />
prosperity for multi generations.<br />
We are now living in the 8th Period<br />
of Feng Shui cycle which began in<br />
2004 <strong>and</strong> will last until the year 2023.<br />
According to the Good Feng Shui<br />
principles, houses facing Northeast<br />
or Southwest directions are able to<br />
capture more easily the good <strong>and</strong><br />
auspicious Qi during this period of time.<br />
However, through further Feng<br />
Shui customization, especially with<br />
Water Feng Shui Technique, houses<br />
facing other directions, such as facing<br />
36<br />
november-december, green+.2014
COLUMN<br />
Southeast, Northwest, North or<br />
South can also achieve auspiciousness<br />
through good Feng Shui<br />
adjustments such as fine-tuning<br />
or calibration at the main door’s<br />
direction, or correct water features<br />
implementation. Therefore, do not be<br />
upset even if your current house is<br />
not facing Southwest or Northeast.<br />
In the 2014 Wood Horse year,<br />
Fire element is one of the most<br />
auspicious elements. The Firerelated<br />
industries will benefit a lot<br />
in the year of 2014. These include<br />
bridal house, optometry, optician,<br />
photography, restaurant, beautician,<br />
entertainment, lightings, movies,<br />
nuclear power, power plant, power<br />
generator, tele-communications.<br />
Avoid making any renovation or<br />
alteration in the South nor North<br />
sectors of your house or office as<br />
this will trigger negative Feng Shui<br />
effects .<br />
Wood-related industries will<br />
generate lots of luxurious income in<br />
the year of 2014, as it is able to generate<br />
lots of Wealth-luck in 2014. The<br />
relevant industries include timber,<br />
furniture, education, interior design,<br />
printing, newspaper, magazine, florist,<br />
kindergarten, nursery, dancer,<br />
publication, l<strong>and</strong>scape <strong>and</strong> gardening.<br />
Avoid making any renovation or<br />
alteration in the East sector of your<br />
house or office, as this will reduce the<br />
positive Feng Shui effects.<br />
Avoid installing mirror facing<br />
the main door or main entrance as<br />
it may introduce negative forces to<br />
the house, thus affecting health <strong>and</strong><br />
wealth fortunes. Avoid mirror facing<br />
windows. Also avoid placing mirrors<br />
on the ceiling as this may create<br />
health problems.<br />
Avoid installing air-conditioner<br />
above the bed’s headboard or room<br />
door, as this will create health<br />
problems to the occupants. It can be<br />
installed above windows.<br />
When selecting a house, be<br />
more concerned about the external<br />
factors as it contributes 70 per cent<br />
of the Feng Shui influence. Avoid<br />
houses facing or next to the road<br />
junction, bridge, lamppost, temple,<br />
church, mosque, police station, hospital,<br />
transformer substation, tower.<br />
Usually houses like this will be more<br />
difficult to resell in the future, <strong>and</strong><br />
suffer lower appreciation value.<br />
An experienced Feng Shui<br />
master or expert should be able<br />
to calibrate the internal Feng Shui<br />
arrangement <strong>and</strong> implementation,<br />
for a house or office, by linking or<br />
matching the BaZi or Lifepath of the<br />
whole family members involved.<br />
Master Kenny<br />
Hoo is the<br />
Founder & Chief<br />
Researcher<br />
of GOOD<br />
FENG SHUI®<br />
Geomantic<br />
Research, a<br />
research-based<br />
company that<br />
actively involves<br />
in providing<br />
professional<br />
Feng Shui<br />
(Geomantic<br />
science)<br />
research,<br />
authoring<br />
seminars <strong>and</strong><br />
consultation<br />
services for<br />
domestic home,<br />
business,<br />
factory, hotels<br />
& resorts,<br />
township,<br />
property<br />
development<br />
& ancestral<br />
graveyard. To<br />
find out more<br />
about Kenny<br />
<strong>and</strong> his Feng<br />
Shui please<br />
visit www.<br />
goodfengshui.<br />
com.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 37
COLUMN<br />
Energy efficiency as a<br />
fuel to compete with<br />
electricity generators<br />
All EU-28 countries are legally obliged to achieve a certain amount<br />
of final energy savings by 2020<br />
Energy efficiency which<br />
is regarded as a “fuel” by<br />
many countries has not been<br />
openly embraced by utilities.<br />
While ensuring energy<br />
supply security is imperative <strong>and</strong> discussions<br />
for nuclear is underway within<br />
the different stakeholders, the author<br />
wishes to present an alternative which<br />
could be as financially attractive.<br />
Utilities have the potential to<br />
engage with their customers to drive<br />
energy efficiency. Whilst information<br />
campaigns, the provision of free<br />
energy audits, or similar have often<br />
been undertaken by the government<br />
of Malaysia, such “soft” activities have<br />
had negligible impact on overall energy<br />
consumption. While the utilities have<br />
taken steps to engage with the public to<br />
encourage energy efficient behaviour,<br />
utilities have only been shown to be<br />
capable of either delivering or fostering<br />
large scale energy conservation in the<br />
case of capacity constraints (such as in<br />
Japan post-Fukushima) or where there<br />
is strong regulation <strong>and</strong> incentive to do<br />
so.<br />
A Utility Energy Efficiency Obligation<br />
(UEEO), also known as a white certificate<br />
scheme, is a regulatory method of<br />
financing energy efficiency upgrades<br />
<strong>and</strong> driving large investment in<br />
energy efficiency that utilities can, if<br />
they so choose, use to decouple their<br />
income from the sale of energy. This<br />
is an emerging form of policy, used in<br />
Australia, the US, Europe <strong>and</strong> Brazil.<br />
This is an ideal regulatory intervention<br />
which does not require the creation of a<br />
new act. Enabling such a scheme would<br />
likely require an amendment to the<br />
Electricity Supply Act, or alternatively<br />
a new Act.<br />
UEEOs are used by several European<br />
countries (eg Italy, France, Demark, the<br />
UK, Pol<strong>and</strong>), roughly half of the states<br />
in the United States, in four Australian<br />
states, in China <strong>and</strong> in Brazil. The<br />
European Union Energy Efficiency<br />
Directive (2012) m<strong>and</strong>ates that all EU-28<br />
countries are legally obliged to achieve<br />
a certain amount of final energy savings<br />
by 2020. A range of mechanisms<br />
By Kevin<br />
Hor<br />
(Project<br />
Manager <strong>and</strong><br />
Component 3<br />
Consultant)<br />
kevin.hor@jkr.<br />
gov.my<br />
Figure 1: Deeming savings brings forward actual savings,<br />
Figure 2 - Example of on-bill financing applied to purchase<br />
of a high efficiency air conditioner<br />
are required, one of which is the<br />
obligation to use energy efficiency obligation<br />
schemes or other targeted policy<br />
measure.1<br />
UEEO places an obligation on energy<br />
utilities to save energy, with a fixed<br />
amount of “negawatts” or negative<br />
watts to be generated each year. This<br />
obligation is placed on the utility to purchase<br />
the “negawatts” from a purpose<br />
created “Energy Efficiency Generator<br />
(EEG)” as has been done in the USA<br />
state of Vermont.<br />
UEEOs are operationalized through<br />
deemed forward savings method<br />
where essentially the benefits are paid<br />
for before they are realised. This creates<br />
an adverse initial cash flow, with a<br />
high upfront initial investment required<br />
to realise the savings. For example if<br />
across all measures implemented in<br />
a UEEO scheme the average deeming<br />
period is 10 years, an amount equal to<br />
the cumulative savings over ten years<br />
has to be paid for up front as shown in<br />
Figure 1.<br />
A long term guarantee purchase<br />
contract has to be provided to the EEG<br />
to allow the EEG the security to raise<br />
funds required to generate annual<br />
target for energy savings, effectively<br />
generating “negawatts.” This competes<br />
38<br />
november-december, green+.2014
COLUMN<br />
with the conventional generation<br />
business model where instead of<br />
paying for generation it is possible<br />
to be cheaper to produce<br />
“negawatts” <strong>and</strong> removes the<br />
split incentive for a utility that<br />
also wants to maximise its sales<br />
of generated electricity.<br />
Since no tariff charge will<br />
be required to fund the obligation,<br />
there will likely be a loss<br />
of revenue scenario to the<br />
utility. To offset the loss in<br />
revenue, utilities can recoup<br />
through embracing a new business<br />
model of on-bill financing of<br />
energy efficiency. This then shifts<br />
the obligation partially to the<br />
beneficiaries. UEEOs have arisen<br />
because essentially most energy<br />
users are unwilling to invest in<br />
EE. UEEOs essentially subsidise<br />
the cost of EE, reducing paybacks<br />
down to a level where ordinary<br />
energy users are willing to invest<br />
some of their own money in a<br />
more efficient product or improving<br />
the efficiency of their existing<br />
buildings.<br />
Similar to building generation<br />
capacity, achieving large energy<br />
savings requires large investment,<br />
which the private sector<br />
is generally unwilling to make<br />
unless substantial incentives<br />
exist. A UEEO is an effective way<br />
of financing <strong>and</strong> creating these<br />
incentives.<br />
UEEOs are a relatively complex<br />
instrument <strong>and</strong> are significantly<br />
more complex to administer than<br />
the Feed in Tariff as already exists<br />
in Malaysia. Without effective<br />
administration, measurement,<br />
verification, evaluation <strong>and</strong><br />
enforcement a UEEO is unlikely<br />
to be effective. Strong commitment<br />
across all political divides is<br />
required to develop a sustained,<br />
long term UEEO.<br />
What sort of activities are<br />
undertaken to generate<br />
savings from UEEOs?<br />
Savings can be generated from<br />
either “st<strong>and</strong>ard measures”<br />
where the savings are deemed<br />
(i.e. estimated) or “project<br />
measures” which require measurement<br />
<strong>and</strong> verification of the<br />
savings achieved.<br />
Some examples of activities<br />
include:<br />
+ Efficient Water heating<br />
+ Efficient Heating <strong>and</strong> cooling<br />
+ Weather proofing <strong>and</strong><br />
insulation<br />
+ Efficient Lighting<br />
Figure 3 - The electricity market with an EEG-on-bill.<br />
+ St<strong>and</strong>by power controllers<br />
+ Efficient appliances, such<br />
as televisions, refrigerators,<br />
clothes dryers<br />
+ Efficient Pool pumps<br />
+ Efficient refrigerated display<br />
cabinets<br />
+ Efficiency refrigerator fans<br />
+ Efficient motors<br />
+ Metered baseline for commercial<br />
<strong>and</strong> industrial (any activity<br />
can be implemented, providing<br />
savings can be measured)<br />
With on-bill financing each<br />
beneficiary of the reduced<br />
upfront cost of an EE measure<br />
pays for the financing provided<br />
through an additional charge on<br />
their electricity bills.<br />
There is no need for tradeable<br />
certificates or a marketplace.<br />
Example in Figure 2 shows<br />
how this would work for the purchase<br />
of a 5 star air conditioner.<br />
Such a scheme:<br />
+ Has a set of regulator<br />
approved st<strong>and</strong>ard<br />
measures for EE fixtures. For<br />
example an air-conditioner,<br />
insulation installed in a roof<br />
cavity, installed light fitting<br />
are all fixtures. A domestic<br />
refrigerator is not a fixture.<br />
+ Has regulator approved<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ard calculations for<br />
determining the amount of<br />
financing that can be provided<br />
<strong>and</strong> the payback period.<br />
+ Attaches the on-bill payment<br />
to the electricity meter<br />
number. So that is, irrespective<br />
of whether a property is sold or<br />
changes tenants, a payment is<br />
still made, for a fixed number of<br />
payment periods.<br />
+ The payment could normally<br />
be expected to be less than the<br />
savings arising from EE.<br />
As shown in Figure 3 below,<br />
the utility company is not<br />
required to pay the EE generator<br />
any more than what it collects<br />
form the on-bill payments <strong>and</strong><br />
potentially generate income to<br />
supplement the revenue loss<br />
from the on bill financing business<br />
model. Whilst it may lose<br />
some revenue due to decreased<br />
sales of electricity, its electricity<br />
purchases from generators will<br />
also drop.<br />
Enabling Legislation<br />
Possible ways of creating the<br />
enabling legislation are:<br />
+ Incorporate it into the<br />
Electricity Supply Act (as has<br />
been done in NSW, Australia)<br />
+ Create a separate Act (as<br />
has been done in Victoria,<br />
Australia)<br />
+ Links to both these pieces of<br />
legislation are included at the<br />
end of this document.<br />
If changes were to be made in<br />
the Electricity Supply Act a new<br />
part VB could be incorporated into<br />
the Act.<br />
Alternatively it could be incorporated<br />
in Part VA – Efficient use<br />
of electricity – although a UEEO is<br />
substantially different to Part VA,<br />
<strong>and</strong> for the purposes of clarity it<br />
would be better to have it has an<br />
entirely new part.<br />
Synergy with other policies,<br />
regulations <strong>and</strong> thrusts<br />
A UEEO has substantial synergy<br />
with other proposed measures<br />
mentioned in the National Energy<br />
Efficiency Action Plan. It complements<br />
MEPS, <strong>and</strong> the expansion<br />
of MEPS. It can be used to incentivise<br />
improved whole of building<br />
performance. It can be used to<br />
drive electricity savings in both<br />
the building <strong>and</strong> industrial sector,<br />
<strong>and</strong> create significant employment<br />
opportunities in energy<br />
efficiency. A UEEO has synergies<br />
with a range of other policies <strong>and</strong><br />
regulations:<br />
+ Labelling <strong>and</strong> MEPS. A UEEO<br />
can use MEPS to allow certificates<br />
for the purchase of 5 star<br />
appliances. This leverages the<br />
labelling system<br />
+ An energy efficiency<br />
rating tool for buildings.<br />
Improvements in performance<br />
based on the rating tool could<br />
be used to award certificates.<br />
+ A national EE energy consumption<br />
database. This adds<br />
value to a UEEO by facilitating<br />
measurement <strong>and</strong> verification<br />
of savings. For example, if a<br />
lighting upgrade was undertaken<br />
<strong>and</strong> certificates claimed<br />
under a UEEO for the upgrade,<br />
the actual drop in electricity<br />
consumption at the site where<br />
the upgrade was undertaken<br />
could be identified from a<br />
national energy consumption<br />
date based. With appropriate<br />
database design, this could<br />
be used to tune the methods<br />
used to calculate savings.<br />
+ Building energy performance<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ards. Certificates could<br />
be used to incentivise performance<br />
that was measured to<br />
be better than the st<strong>and</strong>ard.<br />
+ Energy savings at large facilities<br />
(i.e. those facilities subject<br />
to the Efficient Manager of<br />
Electrical Energy regulations)<br />
– based on reductions in<br />
energy use certificates could<br />
be generated.<br />
+ Promotion of ESCOs. ESCOs<br />
could create certificates from<br />
a range of activities<br />
+ Enabling of mortgages for<br />
EE in housing. The deeming<br />
methodologies used<br />
under the scheme could be<br />
used as the basis by which<br />
financial institutions can<br />
calculate the amount they can<br />
lend for different EE features<br />
(such as high efficiency air<br />
conditioning).<br />
+ Need to allocate resources to<br />
analysing the data <strong>and</strong> fine<br />
tuning policies.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 39
MDBC SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS 2014 (MSA’14)<br />
Malaysian-Dutch <strong>Business</strong><br />
Council Sustainability Awards<br />
(MSA) 2014 winners!<br />
Submissions considered by panel of independent,<br />
expert judges, led by Chief Judge H.E. Harry Molenaar<br />
The Malaysian-Dutch<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Council (MDBC)<br />
Sustainability Awards 2014<br />
has grown <strong>and</strong> evolved into<br />
a more innovative <strong>and</strong> inclusive<br />
programme as they had introduced<br />
two new segments this year: the MSA<br />
Innovation Pioneer <strong>and</strong> the Jaffar Indot<br />
Award on Corporate Governance.<br />
The winners of the 2014 MDBC<br />
Sustainability Awards were announced<br />
by the Minister of Energy, <strong>Green</strong><br />
Technology & Water, Datuk Seri<br />
Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkil<br />
during the awards ceremony dinner at<br />
the DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur<br />
on Dec 3.<br />
Dutch Lady Milk Industries won the<br />
award of Best <strong>Business</strong> Sustainability<br />
by a multinational company by<br />
demonstrating their commitment to<br />
environmental sustainability, corporate<br />
social responsibility <strong>and</strong> contribution to<br />
the Malaysian economy.<br />
While Asian Perlite Industries,<br />
a service provider for greenhouse<br />
structures, irrigation, water storage,<br />
greenhouse production, soil steaming,<br />
harvesting, grading, labeling, packaging,<br />
cooling systems for vegetables,<br />
fruits <strong>and</strong> flowers. received the Best<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Sustainability by a small &<br />
medium enterprise<br />
The MSA Innovation Pioneer<br />
Segment was won by &samhoud, a<br />
management consultancy firm that<br />
encourages new ideas <strong>and</strong> give their<br />
employees ownership from ideation to<br />
implementation.<br />
When asked about the addition of<br />
the new “MSA Innovation Pioneer”<br />
segment in this year’s MSA, MDBC<br />
Executive Director Marco Winter said:<br />
“Those who do not have the foresight<br />
<strong>and</strong> willingness to invest in the future<br />
risk losing relevance in the marketplace.<br />
Each company has to encourage<br />
a culture of innovation in their organisation,<br />
which is the challenge for this<br />
segment. The acknowledgement <strong>and</strong><br />
inclusion of innovation in this year’s<br />
MSA is therefore a reflection of the<br />
continued growth <strong>and</strong> evolution of<br />
the awards; it is in fact, part <strong>and</strong> parcel<br />
All MSA’14 winners <strong>and</strong> organisers together for a group picture, with YB Datuk Seri Panglima Maximus<br />
Ongkili, Minister of Energy, <strong>Green</strong> Technology & Water (5th from right).<br />
Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad’s SP Ching <strong>and</strong> Wong<br />
Ee Laine receiving the award for the Best <strong>Business</strong><br />
Sustainability by an MNC from Minister YB Datuk Seri<br />
Maximus Ongkili, Netherl<strong>and</strong>s Ambassador Harry Molenaar<br />
<strong>and</strong> MDBC Chairman Zainul Rahim.<br />
of our own journey along the path of<br />
sustainability.”<br />
Submissions were considered<br />
by a panel of independent, expert<br />
judges, led by Chief Judge H.E. Harry<br />
Molenaar (Ambassador, Embassy of<br />
the Netherl<strong>and</strong>s).<br />
Sharing his thoughts on the<br />
MSA, the Ambassador commented:<br />
“Innovation is used as a driver for<br />
sustainability whilst at the same<br />
time, sustainability can function as a<br />
catalyst for innovation; it has become<br />
a strategy for sustainable economic<br />
growth. Resource scarcity, climate<br />
change, technological development<br />
<strong>and</strong> a higher dem<strong>and</strong> for products have<br />
forced many companies to integrate<br />
sustainability into their line of business.<br />
With the MDBC organising the MSA for<br />
the fourth consecutive year, it presents<br />
itself as a platform for those companies<br />
that embrace thinking of solutions<br />
today for the global challenges of the<br />
future.”<br />
After an intense day programme<br />
with final presentations by shortlisted<br />
finalist, three well – known companies<br />
40<br />
november-december, green+.2014
MDBC SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS 2014 (MSA’14)<br />
Shortlisted companies in the MSA14 Innovation Pioneer Segment, from left MaxGrip, &samhoud, Shell Malaysia, Mega Fortris Malaysia, ISC<br />
Innovators <strong>and</strong> Besi APac, together with Netherl<strong>and</strong>s Ambassador Harry Molenaar, Minister YB Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili <strong>and</strong> MDBC Chairman<br />
Zainul Rahim (4th – 6th left).<br />
emerged as the sustainability <strong>and</strong><br />
innovation leaders in their fields.<br />
Best <strong>Business</strong> Sustainability by<br />
a Multinational Company<br />
Winner: Dutch Lady Milk Industries<br />
Dutch Lady showed a commitment<br />
to environmental sustainability,<br />
corporate social responsibility <strong>and</strong> contributions<br />
to the Malaysian economy.<br />
Specifically, they have developed strategies<br />
to enhance self – sufficiency<br />
in their sector. Their CSR programs<br />
are unique with a strong emphasis on<br />
empowering local entrepreneurs. By<br />
purchasing sustainable raw materials,<br />
reducing consumption of energy,<br />
water <strong>and</strong> waste at their production<br />
facilities, Dutch Lady has also proven<br />
their commitment to environmental<br />
sustainability. They implement sound<br />
business plans <strong>and</strong> ensure satisfactory<br />
returns to their shareholders, as well<br />
as contribute to the growth of the local<br />
economy.<br />
Best <strong>Business</strong> Sustainability by<br />
a Small & Medium Enterprise<br />
Winner: Asian Perlite Industries<br />
Asian Perlite Industries’ holistic<br />
approach <strong>and</strong> profitable venture seamlessly<br />
linked economic, social <strong>and</strong><br />
environmental benefits. This company<br />
aims to increase the production<br />
of flower <strong>and</strong> vegetables per square<br />
Asian Perlite Industries’ Luuk Runia receiving the award for<br />
the Best <strong>Business</strong> Sustainability by an SME from Minister<br />
YB Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, Netherl<strong>and</strong>s Ambassador<br />
Harry Molenaar <strong>and</strong> MDBC Chairman Zainul Rahim.<br />
Minister YB Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili receiving a token<br />
of appreciation from MDBC Executive Director Marco Winter<br />
(right) , Netherl<strong>and</strong>s Ambassador Harry Molenaar (2nd left)<br />
<strong>and</strong> MDBC Chairman Zainul Rahim (far left).<br />
meter in Cameron Highl<strong>and</strong>s to reduce<br />
any further destruction of the highl<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
They also focus on the reduction<br />
of chemicals in flowers <strong>and</strong> vegetables<br />
by introducing new products from The<br />
Netherl<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
The MSA Innovation Pioneer<br />
Segment<br />
Winner: &samhoud<br />
An energetic company, &samhoud<br />
truly believes in their company culture;<br />
for them, empowerment from the<br />
start promotes innovation. The company<br />
encourages new ideas <strong>and</strong> gives<br />
their people ownership from ideation<br />
to implementation. The leadership provides<br />
constant mentoring <strong>and</strong> coaching<br />
to all employees to make sure that they<br />
are motivated <strong>and</strong> that these innovations<br />
are aligned with the purpose of<br />
&samhoud.<br />
Special Jaffar Indot Award on<br />
Corporate Governance<br />
Winner: Dato’ Mizanur Rahman Ghani<br />
Dato’ Mizanur is an active member<br />
of various organizations involved<br />
in <strong>Sustainable</strong> Development <strong>and</strong><br />
Corporate Responsibility including<br />
Chambers of Commerce. In addition<br />
to going above <strong>and</strong> beyond what is<br />
required by his regular job, he has made<br />
a big impact on the local business community.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 41
ENERGY<br />
Sarawak Energy inks contract<br />
with Shanghai Electric<br />
For construction of 2 x 300MW Balingian coal-fired main power plant<br />
Sarawak Energy in<br />
early October entered<br />
into a contract with<br />
one of China’s leading<br />
electrical equipment<br />
manufacturing conglomerates,<br />
Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd<br />
(SEC), for the construction of the<br />
Balingian Coal-fired Power Plant<br />
Project.<br />
The contract will see SEC<br />
undertaking the construction<br />
of the 2 x 300MW Balingian<br />
Coal-fired Main Power Plant, the<br />
first coal-fired plant with CFB<br />
(Circulating Fluidized Bed) boiler<br />
of this capacity in Malaysia.<br />
In comparison with conventional<br />
Pulverized Coal (PC) boiler<br />
technology, CFB boilers have the<br />
ability to h<strong>and</strong>le a wide range<br />
of coal designs, including high<br />
moisture coal which is commonly<br />
found in Balingian, to ensure total<br />
utilization of the resource. This is<br />
improving the environment foot<br />
print of the plant significantly.<br />
Second Planning <strong>and</strong><br />
Resource Management Minister<br />
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali<br />
Hasan, who is also Public Utilities<br />
Minister, witnessed the signing<br />
of the contract between three<br />
parties namely Sarawak Energy,<br />
SEC <strong>and</strong> Shanghai Electric<br />
Power Generation (M) Sdn Bhd<br />
(SEPG), which is a wholly owned<br />
Malaysian subsidiary of SEC.<br />
Signing for Sarawak Energy<br />
were its Chief Executive Officer<br />
Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit <strong>and</strong> its<br />
Senior Vice President of Thermal<br />
Department Mr James Ung while<br />
signing for SEC were its Chairman<br />
Mr Huang Dinan <strong>and</strong> General<br />
Manager of Shanghai Electric<br />
Power Generation Group, EPC<br />
Mr Yi Xiao Rong. For SEPG, it was<br />
signed by Director Mr Wen Weihua<br />
<strong>and</strong> Shanghai Electric Power<br />
Generation Group, EPC Vice-Chief<br />
Engineer Mr Qiu Minghua.<br />
The contract is valued at around<br />
RM1.5 billion <strong>and</strong> the construction<br />
of the main power plant will commence<br />
next month.<br />
A comprehensive procurement<br />
Sarawak Energy Chief Executive Officer Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit<br />
exchanges documents after the signing with Shanghai Electric Group<br />
Co Ltd Chairman Mr Huang Dinan as Second Planning <strong>and</strong> Resource<br />
Management Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (centre),<br />
Sarawak Energy Chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi (fourth<br />
from left) <strong>and</strong> other distinguished guests look on.<br />
process was undertaken in accordance<br />
with Sarawak Energy’s<br />
internal procurement procedures<br />
<strong>and</strong> in alignment with recognised<br />
industry best practices to identify<br />
the tender offer representing ‘best<br />
value’ <strong>and</strong> designed to maximize<br />
local content <strong>and</strong> knowledge<br />
transfer to local companies.<br />
The Selection of Contractor for<br />
the package commenced with<br />
market survey where thereafter<br />
proceeded with invitation <strong>and</strong> prequalification<br />
of international EPC<br />
contractors with CFB boiler works<br />
experience.<br />
SEC is one of the largest<br />
equipment manufacturing<br />
conglomerates in China <strong>and</strong> possesses<br />
a comprehensive provision<br />
of modern, complete equipment<br />
sets <strong>and</strong> engineering works<br />
contracting. Since the 1990s,<br />
SEC’s sales revenue has ranked<br />
top 3 in the Chinese equipment<br />
manufacturing industry. The<br />
company has undertaken power<br />
plant projects on Engineering,<br />
Procurement <strong>and</strong> Construction<br />
(EPC) basis, both in China <strong>and</strong><br />
abroad with more than 20 years of<br />
experience <strong>and</strong> has achieved continuous<br />
enhancement in its core<br />
competitiveness <strong>and</strong> independent<br />
innovation capability.<br />
In his speech, Datuk Amar<br />
Awang Tengah said the dem<strong>and</strong><br />
for energy in the region records a<br />
steady increase of 3% to 4% a year<br />
but in Sarawak, there would be an<br />
expected rapid growth in power<br />
dem<strong>and</strong> from the earlier 1,250MW<br />
to more than 5,000MW by 2020.<br />
He said the rapid growth was<br />
due to the large dem<strong>and</strong> from the<br />
committed <strong>and</strong> future energyintensive<br />
industries expected<br />
to set up within SCORE <strong>and</strong> the<br />
increase in local domestic, commercial<br />
<strong>and</strong> industrial organic<br />
customers.<br />
“Sarawak is blessed with indigenous<br />
hydro, coal <strong>and</strong> gas energy<br />
resources which give Sarawak the<br />
comparative advantage to produce<br />
bulk power at globally competitive<br />
power prices to encourage investment<br />
here. The development of<br />
these indigenous resources which<br />
is within the state’s control <strong>and</strong> not<br />
subjected to international market<br />
price fluctuation will ensure price<br />
stability for the SCORE customers<br />
<strong>and</strong> local organic customers.<br />
“With the strategy to utilize<br />
local coal <strong>and</strong> hydropower<br />
resources, the State <strong>and</strong> Sarawak<br />
Energy are confident to meet the<br />
rapid dem<strong>and</strong> growth for power<br />
<strong>and</strong> realize the state’s SCORE<br />
agenda. This is necessary if we are<br />
to achieve a high income status<br />
for our people of Sarawak by 2020<br />
<strong>and</strong> uplift the living st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
including the rural communities,”<br />
he added.<br />
Awang Tengah said with the<br />
power generation fully developed<br />
to meet the dem<strong>and</strong> in 2020, the<br />
generation capacity mix was<br />
expected to comprise 60% hydro,<br />
20% coal <strong>and</strong> 20% gas.<br />
“The construction of a new<br />
power plant in Balingian will<br />
also open up more opportunities<br />
especially for the locals. Their<br />
income is expected to improve<br />
with the growth of businesses<br />
in Balingian as the economic<br />
activities increase. The Balingian<br />
Coal-fired plants will also trigger<br />
socio-development in terms of<br />
generating job opportunities in the<br />
semi-skilled <strong>and</strong> skilled professions,”<br />
he added.<br />
Commenting on the<br />
partnership in realizing this significant<br />
development trigger project,<br />
Datuk Torstein said the Balingian<br />
Power Plant would help enhance<br />
the State Grid System, particularly<br />
to meet the dem<strong>and</strong> from the<br />
Sarawak Corridor of Renewable<br />
Energy (SCORE) customers.<br />
“With an adequate <strong>and</strong> stable<br />
supply in place, we will be able to<br />
further convince investors to bring<br />
their businesses here to Sarawak<br />
to strengthen the State’s economy.<br />
“We are having multiples<br />
discussions with potential new<br />
investors who would choose<br />
Sarawak as their preferred<br />
destination for their business<br />
operations <strong>and</strong> we anticipate<br />
encouraging response from more<br />
energy intensive industry players<br />
in the time to come,” he added.<br />
Located in Balingian, Mukah,<br />
the whole project consists of<br />
a total of nine work packages<br />
namely the construction of the<br />
main power plant, plant site<br />
earthworks, upgrading of the<br />
access road, administration <strong>and</strong><br />
ancillary buildings, operator’s village,<br />
the 33kV supply, 275kV EHV<br />
Substation, 275kV Transmission<br />
lines <strong>and</strong> ash pond.<br />
The whole development of<br />
Balingian Coal-Fired Power Plant<br />
consist of nine work packages of<br />
which, about 45% will be undertaken<br />
by local contractors.<br />
Earthworks <strong>and</strong> the upgrading<br />
of the access roads have already<br />
begun in May this year <strong>and</strong> these<br />
works have been undertaken by<br />
Sarawakian contractors.<br />
The whole works is expected<br />
to complete in the first quarter of<br />
2018 with the first power expected<br />
to generate by the end of 2017.<br />
42<br />
november-december, green+.2014
ENERGY<br />
Sarawak Energy<br />
CEO Awarded CEO<br />
Of The Year at 2014<br />
Asian Power Awards<br />
Datuk Torstein was recognised for his leadership<br />
Sarawak Energy Chief<br />
Executive Officer, Datuk<br />
Torstein Dale Sjotveit,<br />
was awarded CEO of<br />
the Year at the Asian<br />
Power Awards 2014 held in one of<br />
the leading hotels in Kuching . The<br />
award presentation was the highlight<br />
of the event which was held<br />
in conjunction with the ASEAN<br />
POWER WEEK in Kuala Lumpur<br />
on Sept 10-12.<br />
Datuk Torstein was recognized<br />
for his leadership in transforming<br />
the Sarawak State-owned utility<br />
company into a modern <strong>and</strong> agile<br />
corporation, in line with its vital<br />
role in powering Sarawak’s development<br />
through the Sarawak<br />
Corridor of Renewable Energy<br />
(SCORE).<br />
Appointed as CEO of Sarawak<br />
Energy in late 2009, Torstein has<br />
vast experience of more than<br />
30 years in various industries,<br />
including shipbuilding, oil <strong>and</strong> gas,<br />
petrochemicals <strong>and</strong> aluminum.<br />
In his acceptance speech,<br />
Sarawak Energy Chief<br />
Executive Officer Datuk<br />
Torstein Dale Sjotveit (right)<br />
receiving the honor of CEO<br />
of the Year at the Asian<br />
Power Awards 2014 from<br />
Asian Power <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
Editor-in-Chief Tim<br />
Charlton.<br />
Datuk Torstein attributed the<br />
award to the hardworking<br />
employees of the company.<br />
“It is not my work alone that<br />
had made the achievements<br />
possible, but it was a collaborative<br />
effort that started from the visionary<br />
development agenda of the<br />
Sarawak State Government to the<br />
relentless combined efforts of my<br />
team, from management down to<br />
operational levels,” he said.<br />
Datuk Torstein expressed his<br />
gratitude to the State Government,<br />
the Board of Directors, management<br />
<strong>and</strong> staff of Sarawak Energy<br />
for the significant achievements<br />
experienced by the company.<br />
The CEO of the Year Award<br />
was the main highlight of the<br />
awards ceremony. Among the<br />
categories of awards were Power<br />
Retailer of the Year (Singapore),<br />
Smart Grid Project of the Year<br />
(Singapore), Coal Power Project<br />
of the Year (India), Transmission<br />
& Distribution Project of the Year<br />
(Hong Kong), Independent Power<br />
Producer of the year <strong>and</strong> the Power<br />
Utility of the Year Award, which<br />
was also won by Sarawak Energy.<br />
In the same event, Sarawak<br />
Energy also won the Utility of the<br />
Year Award – Malaysia.<br />
The Asian Power Awards aims<br />
to set the benchmark of corporate<br />
excellence in the power industry.<br />
Currently in their 10th year, the<br />
awards have been recognising<br />
top achievers, best practices <strong>and</strong><br />
innovations in Asia. Organised by<br />
the Asian Power <strong>Magazine</strong>, the<br />
award was presented by its Editorin-Chief,<br />
Tim Charlton.<br />
Sarawak Energy Plays Host<br />
to HAPUA Working Group<br />
Sarawak Energy played<br />
host to the Meeting of<br />
HAPUA Working Group 1<br />
on Best Practices of Asset<br />
Management in mid-October<br />
at Menara Sarawak Energy<br />
here in Kuching.<br />
HAPUA (Heads of ASEAN<br />
Power Utilities/Authorities) is<br />
an international organization<br />
established in 1981 with<br />
the founding members<br />
of Indonesia, Malaysia,<br />
Philippines, Singapore <strong>and</strong><br />
Thail<strong>and</strong>. HAPUA aims to<br />
enhance bilateral relationships<br />
between its member nations<br />
<strong>and</strong> serve as a centre for information<br />
as well as promote <strong>and</strong><br />
distribute relevant information<br />
in the field of energy within<br />
the ASEAN region.<br />
HAPUA is comprised of five<br />
working groups, with each<br />
one focusing on a specific<br />
area within the energy<br />
industry. These groups are<br />
Transmission, Distribution <strong>and</strong><br />
Power Quality & Reliability<br />
(PQR), Policy Studies &<br />
Commercial Development,<br />
Human Resources <strong>and</strong><br />
Generation <strong>and</strong> Renewable<br />
Energy, with Distribution as<br />
the driver behind this year’s<br />
event.<br />
In welcoming the<br />
delegates, the Chief Operating<br />
Officer of Sarawak Energy<br />
Mr Lu Yew Hung said: “It is<br />
indeed a rare opportunity<br />
that we can have a group of<br />
experts from different cultural<br />
backgrounds gather together<br />
with a common goal. We<br />
hope that through the course<br />
of this event, everyone will<br />
gain new experiences, make<br />
new friends <strong>and</strong> forge new<br />
alliances.”<br />
Sixteen international<br />
delegates from around the<br />
ASEAN region, namely<br />
Singapore, Thail<strong>and</strong>,<br />
Cambodia, Laos PDR <strong>and</strong><br />
Malaysia joined a group<br />
of internal delegates to<br />
discuss matters related<br />
to Best Practices of Asset<br />
Management over a course of<br />
two days from 13-14 October<br />
2014.<br />
The event, a follow up to<br />
the HAPUA Working Group 3<br />
Committee Meeting (Project<br />
1) which was held in Singapore<br />
in May, is part of HAPUA’s<br />
series of meetings <strong>and</strong> events<br />
aimed to foster better relationships<br />
among power utility<br />
providers in the ASEAN region<br />
<strong>and</strong> provide a platform to<br />
discuss related topics was well<br />
received <strong>and</strong> participants look<br />
forward to next year’s event.<br />
There will be two days of<br />
workshops led by Tenaga<br />
Nasional Berhad (TNB) <strong>and</strong><br />
Sarawak Energy respectively,<br />
with Day One focusing on<br />
Life Cycle Cost Analysis <strong>and</strong><br />
presentations on Life Cycle<br />
Cost Analysis in the ASEAN<br />
region. The delegates will<br />
also discuss on Workshop<br />
Best Practices on Asset<br />
Management. The delegates<br />
will also be brought to visit one<br />
of Sarawak Energy’s 132/22kV<br />
substations to learn <strong>and</strong> share<br />
ideas on best practices.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 43
ENERGY<br />
GPNM seminar on<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Initiatives<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Recycling <strong>and</strong> <strong>Green</strong> Purchasing Opportunities<br />
& <strong>Business</strong> partnership<br />
In line with the Malaysian<br />
Government’s objective to increase<br />
the use of green technology in all<br />
sectors, <strong>Green</strong> Purchasing Network<br />
Malaysia embarked on many collaborative<br />
projects. The seminar, on<br />
Oct 17-18, was carefully put together to<br />
showcase the many opportunities of<br />
collaboration among manufacturers,<br />
suppliers <strong>and</strong> developers to tap the wide<br />
spectrum of the ‘green market’.<br />
The speakers detailed how the<br />
different government sectors were<br />
undertaking big developmental steps<br />
towards implementing green developments,<br />
eg. <strong>Green</strong> Cities being planned in<br />
Malacca; <strong>and</strong> the involvement of MIGHT<br />
to ensure that the high st<strong>and</strong>ards are<br />
maintained.<br />
The seminar then proceeded to deal<br />
with two very important <strong>and</strong> fundamental<br />
aspects of a green city.<br />
+ <strong>Green</strong> Recycling <strong>and</strong> resource recovery<br />
which inadvertently highlights.<br />
+ How Safe <strong>and</strong> <strong>Green</strong> Buildings will be<br />
the obvious outcome.<br />
From the physical emphasis as a<br />
result of green aspects in development,<br />
44<br />
november-december, green+.2014
ENERGY<br />
two speakers showed how the use of<br />
eco-<strong>friendly</strong> products will transform<br />
any organization or living space into a<br />
highly energy-efficient <strong>and</strong> resourcesaving<br />
environment.<br />
Therefore, the outcome of this<br />
seminar was a firm collaboration of<br />
the different parties that will have a big<br />
impact on the development of many<br />
more green cities. Within this ecosystem,<br />
there will be more emphasis<br />
on eco-labelled products <strong>and</strong> services<br />
especially the government’s MyHIJAU<br />
mark.<br />
With the Government <strong>Green</strong><br />
Procurement directive issued last April,<br />
all Government departments <strong>and</strong> agencies<br />
are to embark on green purchasing<br />
activities. This policy will provide the<br />
needed impetus to accelerate the<br />
growth of green economy in Malaysia.<br />
The afternoon session of the seminar<br />
saw the participants discuss <strong>and</strong> put<br />
forward recommendations on Public<br />
Private Participation on green initiatives<br />
such as the <strong>Green</strong> City in Malacca in the<br />
following areas:<br />
+ <strong>Green</strong> recycling <strong>and</strong> waste<br />
recovery solutions<br />
Proven sustainable <strong>and</strong> integrated<br />
waste management Wongpanit<br />
system in Thail<strong>and</strong>, a communitybased<br />
<strong>and</strong> industry led initiative,<br />
<strong>and</strong> endorsed for implementation<br />
in Malaysia through Entry Point<br />
Project (EPP) on Waste Recovery<br />
Alternative Solution (WARAS) will<br />
be proposed for pilot implementation<br />
in Melaka. Industry players<br />
through 1PROGRES (Program on<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Solution) consortium in<br />
partnership with MIGHT <strong>and</strong> Melaka<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Technology Corporation will<br />
spearhead the project proposal for<br />
implementation.<br />
<strong>Green</strong> recycling involves mindset<br />
<strong>and</strong> attitude changes of individuals,<br />
organization <strong>and</strong> corporations. This<br />
important aspect of education,<br />
awareness <strong>and</strong> promotions on zerowaste<br />
concept will be an integral<br />
part of the implementation plan.<br />
+ Energy Efficiency<br />
Industry participants on energy efficiency<br />
proposed a package solution<br />
for <strong>Green</strong> <strong>and</strong> Smart City implementation<br />
through energy service<br />
companies (ESCO) <strong>and</strong> players in<br />
solar PV <strong>and</strong> thermal, LED lighting<br />
<strong>and</strong> energy storage. There is huge<br />
business potential through Energy<br />
Performance Contract services<br />
which enable Governments <strong>and</strong><br />
corporations to save energy with<br />
little or without investment.<br />
A green initiative on deployment<br />
of energy storage devices to replace<br />
fuel-based power generators in<br />
Pasar Malam enables government<br />
to create air <strong>and</strong> noise pollution-free<br />
night markets. Rural <strong>and</strong> off-grid<br />
communities too will benefit from<br />
applications of green storage<br />
devices.<br />
To encourage local green industry<br />
a number of policy <strong>and</strong> legal changes<br />
need to be adopted. Authorities such<br />
as MITI <strong>and</strong> Energy Commission<br />
can undertake measures to<br />
prevent uncontrolled influx of subst<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
foreign EE products <strong>and</strong><br />
specify use of local EE products by<br />
energy service companies (ESCOs).<br />
Public programs on EE awareness<br />
<strong>and</strong> education should be intensified.<br />
+ <strong>Green</strong> Services - <strong>Green</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> Safe buildings <strong>and</strong><br />
communities <strong>and</strong> green<br />
education <strong>and</strong> training<br />
A proposal to ‘Start small then<br />
go global’ on <strong>Green</strong>, Guarded <strong>and</strong><br />
Gated (3G) community-based<br />
program was suggested to be<br />
implemented in Malacca. Desa Park<br />
City 3G community model can be<br />
emulated where local council <strong>and</strong><br />
residence association work together<br />
to establish community safety<br />
<strong>and</strong> emergency response teams<br />
<strong>and</strong> conduct recycling activities. To<br />
incentivize communities to undertake<br />
such program, the government<br />
can reward the ‘<strong>Green</strong> <strong>and</strong> Safe<br />
Community Award’ to successful<br />
communities.<br />
To this end, <strong>Green</strong> Purchasing<br />
Network Malaysia (GPNM), Malaysia<br />
Industry-Government Group on<br />
High Technology, MIGHT, through its<br />
subsidiary Might-Meteor Advanced<br />
Manufacturing (MMAM) <strong>and</strong> Avenion<br />
<strong>Green</strong>tech Sdn Bhd, the proponent of<br />
WARAS will embark on a collaboration<br />
to implement projects especially on<br />
1. <strong>Sustainable</strong> Waste Recovery <strong>and</strong><br />
Management<br />
2. <strong>Green</strong> Human Capital Development<br />
3. <strong>Sustainable</strong> Consumption <strong>and</strong><br />
Production (<strong>Green</strong> Purchasing <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Sustainable</strong> Public Procurement)<br />
<strong>and</strong><br />
4. Energy Efficiency learning <strong>and</strong><br />
Certification<br />
A Memor<strong>and</strong>um of Underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
will be signed on the second day of the<br />
seminar between these 3 parties to<br />
ensure the process of implementation<br />
is undertaken.<br />
Therefore, the final outcome of these<br />
two days was the realization of actual<br />
projects to be started by all parties<br />
concerned; each being experts in the<br />
different fields but with one sole objective:<br />
Towards 40 per cent reduction of<br />
carbon emissions by GDP by 2020 for<br />
the nation achievable through smart<br />
partnerships to ensure the correct ecosystem<br />
is in place.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 45
ENERGY<br />
China reveals magic<br />
l<strong>and</strong> treatment success<br />
Revitalised paddy fields have proved able to produce crops<br />
Hebie is a Chinese province<br />
that is being progressive.<br />
They call it bioremediation,<br />
but essentially, the<br />
new idea is to treat soil<br />
that is affected by waste with degrading<br />
bacteria such as Dehalococcoides<br />
<strong>and</strong> other microorganisms.<br />
Many other Chinese provinces are<br />
also involved as the revitalised paddy<br />
fields have proved able to produce<br />
crops. Only 85% of contaminants <strong>and</strong><br />
salt are removed, but this seems sufficient,<br />
for plants at least.<br />
The worst pollution at the moment<br />
in China is caused by heavy metals:<br />
cadmium, mercury <strong>and</strong> copper,<br />
associated also with arsenic, contaminating<br />
50 million hectares. The<br />
microbes are able to fix these poisons<br />
so that they are not available to plants,<br />
<strong>and</strong> reside in the soil just like the<br />
miniscule amounts in rock. With many<br />
farms closed down for this treatment,<br />
there must be worries that the treatment<br />
will work in the long-term, after<br />
flooding or if other bacteria reverse<br />
the process. However, the companies<br />
involved are in most cases capable of<br />
this bioengineering.<br />
Earth Times is having a close<br />
look at the secretive technology. The<br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
The rice harvest is being gathered. In Hebie province, would you eat the rice if<br />
it has not been thoroughly tested? Many international companies <strong>and</strong> Chinese<br />
enterprises are involved but how long has the complex bacterial action been<br />
allowed to work with so much l<strong>and</strong> unavailable for agriculture?<br />
closest we have is the rock-breathing<br />
bacterium, that can be used for<br />
this kind of function, although it is<br />
better known for oil spill clean-ups.<br />
It is related to iron bacteria, sulphur<br />
bacteria, nitrogen bacteria <strong>and</strong> other<br />
chemosynthesisers.<br />
Farm production will rise by<br />
between 15 <strong>and</strong> 80% if the crops can be<br />
safely eaten. Even more l<strong>and</strong> from oilspill<br />
pollution could also be recovered<br />
in a similar way. Even there, though,<br />
there have been concerns that enough<br />
time needs to pass before bioremediation<br />
effectively removes enough<br />
toxins from the environment.<br />
New Zeal<strong>and</strong> vets have reservations<br />
about food safety there,<br />
following oil contamination. With<br />
12 million tonnes of rice <strong>and</strong> other<br />
staples polluted each year, the highly<br />
toxic heavy metals pouring into the<br />
Yangzi <strong>and</strong> other rivers also have to be<br />
stopped, of course.<br />
The Chinese vice minister of l<strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> resources, Wang Shiyuan, said<br />
that 3.3 million hectares of arable l<strong>and</strong><br />
is contaminated l<strong>and</strong>, in grain-producing<br />
areas. We just hope he’s willing<br />
to eat all his rice from there, when it<br />
is declared safe for human consumption.<br />
– www.earthtimes.org<br />
Why the phrase<br />
‘Busy as a<br />
Bee’ may be<br />
becoming extinct<br />
Recently scientists have been studying the mass<br />
occurrence of dead bees, which they believe is caused<br />
by colony collapse disorder. In other words, their<br />
navigation is shot, preventing them from being able to<br />
return to their hive. The ongoing research suggests that<br />
the problem can be heavily linked to human causes.<br />
Factors such as climate change <strong>and</strong> pesticides are<br />
some examples of how humans are intervening with<br />
the natural process of pollination that the bees need to<br />
survive. This is one account, last year of the EU’s ban on<br />
neonicotinoids in To bee or not to bee.<br />
Although bees are feared for their ability to sting,<br />
they are actually essential to the life of many plants.<br />
Bees are the main pollinators of many plants, so without<br />
them, many fruits <strong>and</strong> vegetables we take for granted<br />
will begin to disappear, or at least start costing more.<br />
Without natural pollination, farmers will have to invest<br />
in manual pollination techniques. This would increase<br />
the price of their produce, causing an economic impact<br />
in the gr<strong>and</strong> scheme of things. Your plants you could<br />
miss that require pollination include apples, oranges<br />
cucumbers, bananas, tomatoes, vanilla, beans, cotton<br />
lemons, coffee, onions <strong>and</strong> broccoli.<br />
A company working to develop a product that works<br />
to help the bees stated in their research notes that: In<br />
order to produce a pound of honey, over 750 bees must<br />
log over 55,000 miles of flying. During this extensive<br />
flight programme, visiting over 2 million flowers to<br />
collect nectar, the insects also pollinate the plants that<br />
make I out of every 3 bites of food we eat.<br />
Hady Ghassabian, an Italian designer, invented a<br />
product called, the bee saver. The bee saver is a simple<br />
keychain with a nectar container. The product works<br />
by providing nectar when someone sees an exhausted<br />
honey bee or bumble bee struggling. They can offer it the<br />
nectar to help reenergise the bee so that it can continue<br />
working for its hive <strong>and</strong> for us. The bee saver has not yet<br />
been officially launched, but the company is preparing<br />
a campaign to help spread awareness of mass deaths of<br />
bees <strong>and</strong> promote their product.<br />
So the next time you hear that familiar buzzing<br />
sound around your ear, maybe you won’t freak out <strong>and</strong><br />
start waving your h<strong>and</strong>s to kill the animal. Maybe you<br />
will fully appreciate the little bee <strong>and</strong> let her get on with<br />
her busy bee day! – www.earthtimes.org<br />
46<br />
november-december, green+.2014
Who is DHES?<br />
DRB-Hicom Environmental Services Sdn<br />
Bhd (938781-W) or “DHES” is a fully owned<br />
subsidiary of Alam Flora Sdn Bhd <strong>and</strong> is<br />
under the DRB-HICOM BERHAD Group.<br />
We offer diverse quality services related<br />
to the environment including consultancy,<br />
systems analyses <strong>and</strong> technical inspection.<br />
We have more than 100* staff in the<br />
management <strong>and</strong> technical areas <strong>and</strong><br />
over 400* support staff stationed all over<br />
Malaysia. Established in the 1990s**, <strong>and</strong><br />
we have more than 18 years experience in<br />
this industry <strong>and</strong> we assure our customers<br />
quality service.<br />
Why us?<br />
Quality Service<br />
Reliability<br />
Technical Capabilities<br />
Group Synergy<br />
Strategy Driven<br />
Value For Money<br />
* Data until September 2014 ** Alam Flora Sdn Bhd<br />
LEADING<br />
AGGRESIVE<br />
3R &<br />
Industrial Scrap<br />
Our main Recycling Centre is located in Precint 9, Putrajaya.<br />
By our “Buy Back Programme”, you can earn some income<br />
while helping the domestic economy <strong>and</strong> conserving the<br />
environment.<br />
Besides 3R activities, DHES is also involved in providing a<br />
comprehensive service for the large scale industry. On an<br />
average we manage 110 tonnes of scrap per day, equivalent<br />
to 40,000 tonnes yearly. Our industrial scrap waste consists<br />
of various types of iron <strong>and</strong> metal, wood, aluminium <strong>and</strong><br />
other hard materials. Hence DHES has become the largest<br />
Bumiputera company in Malaysia in managing industrial scrap.<br />
Waste Management Facility<br />
& Services<br />
DHES has started its business in waste management in<br />
Malaysia since 1990s. Our vast experience in this industry has<br />
widen our range of services into;<br />
• Management of Transfer Station<br />
• Management of Sanitary L<strong>and</strong>fill<br />
• Industrial, Commercial & Institutional (ICI) Waste<br />
• Renovation & Construction Waste (RCW)<br />
Integrated Facilities<br />
Management (IFM)<br />
Our focus is to ensure quality that our customers dem<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
maximise the building’s life cycle. Our services are:<br />
• Mechanical <strong>and</strong> Electrical Systems<br />
• Civil <strong>and</strong> Structural Systems<br />
• Environment Management<br />
• Parking Management<br />
• Security Management<br />
• Computerised Maintenance Management System<br />
• Utilities Management<br />
• L<strong>and</strong>scaping <strong>and</strong> Grounds Services<br />
• Cleaning <strong>and</strong> Housekeeping Services<br />
• Fire Fighthing Systems<br />
• Vertical Transportation<br />
• Pest Control<br />
Level 2, EON Head Office Complex, No.2, Persiaran Kerjaya, Taman Perindustrian Glenmarie, Seksyen U1, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor.<br />
Tel: +603-78030518 / 0844 / 1428 / 1472 | Fax: +603-78030137 | www.dhes.com.my
FEATURE<br />
Nam Cheong launches new ‘green’<br />
anchor h<strong>and</strong>ling tug supply vessel<br />
Not just cost-effective but also fuel efficient <strong>and</strong> environmentally-<strong>friendly</strong><br />
+ First vessel based on Nam Cheong’s<br />
proprietary design;<br />
+ Fuel-efficient, simplified design <strong>and</strong><br />
environmentally <strong>friendly</strong> vessel;<br />
+ Secured Letters of Intent worth<br />
US$186 million from new <strong>and</strong> repeat<br />
customers, with a mix of sale <strong>and</strong><br />
also charter of 12 of this new series of<br />
vessels;<br />
+ Secured options for sale of eight<br />
additional units of such vessels;<br />
+ 100% take-up rate of a total of 20<br />
vessels planned for delivery;<br />
+ Secured Letters of Intent from Bumi<br />
Armada <strong>and</strong> Farid Khan-controlled<br />
company, each for four vessels <strong>and</strong><br />
option for four additional vessels.<br />
SINGAPORE<br />
Nam Cheong Limited, a leading global<br />
offshore marine player listed on the<br />
Main Board of the Singapore Exchange<br />
Securities Trading Limited (the SGX)<br />
<strong>and</strong> Malaysia’s largest Offshore Support<br />
Vessel (OSV) builder, in October<br />
announced that it has launched a new<br />
Anchor H<strong>and</strong>ling Tug Supply (AHTS)<br />
vessel, the NCA80E.<br />
The vessel is a 64.8m diesel electric<br />
powered AHTS with 80 tonnes bollard<br />
pull <strong>and</strong> is based on Nam Cheong’s proprietary<br />
design.<br />
Nam Cheong’s Executive Chairman,<br />
Datuk Tiong Su Kouk said: “The launching<br />
of the NCA80E vessel is a major<br />
milestone for the Group as it is based on<br />
Nam Cheong’s proprietary design <strong>and</strong> is<br />
also our first vessel launch in Singapore.<br />
“Customers are increasingly<br />
dem<strong>and</strong>ing for such sophisticated OSVs<br />
<strong>and</strong> we received strong interest from<br />
customers worldwide for such a vessel<br />
that is versatile to be deployed in waters<br />
globally. Backed by our deep expertise<br />
in engineering <strong>and</strong> cutting-edge technology<br />
required to design <strong>and</strong> build such<br />
vessels, we are confident in powering<br />
ahead in the industry <strong>and</strong> are excited by<br />
the prospects.”<br />
Nam Cheong has secured Letters Of<br />
Intent (“LOI”) from five customers worth<br />
approximately US$186 million, with a<br />
mix of sale <strong>and</strong> charter of 12 NCA80E<br />
vessels.<br />
The Group has also secured options<br />
for the sale of eight additional NCA80E<br />
vessels.<br />
The five customers are Bumi Armada<br />
From left Nam Cheong’s senior management - John Tiong (Executive Vice Chairman), Datuk Tiong Su<br />
Kouk (Executive Chairman), Leong Seng Keat (Chief Executive Officer), Joseph Tiong (General Manager).<br />
Berhad, Geooffshore Pte Ltd, Opstad<br />
Group, Sofield Marine & Offshore Sdn<br />
Bhd as well as Vega Offshore Group. The<br />
potential sale of the 20 vessels through<br />
the LOIs <strong>and</strong> options represent a 100%<br />
take-up rate of the 20 vessels planned<br />
for delivery.<br />
Leong Seng Keat, Nam Cheong’s<br />
Besides the superior<br />
performance of the NCA80E<br />
vessel, we are also mindful<br />
of the need to incorporate<br />
environmentally-<strong>friendly</strong><br />
features such as electric<br />
propulsion that leads to<br />
lower exhaust emissions<br />
that helps to reduce the<br />
industry’s carbon footprint.<br />
– Leong Seng Keat, Nam Cheong CEO<br />
Chief Executive Officer said: “As a global<br />
OSV builder, we aspire to construct<br />
vessels which are of sophisticated<br />
quality <strong>and</strong> will serve as the industry’s<br />
gold st<strong>and</strong>ard. We believe in continuing<br />
to forge our R&D capabilities <strong>and</strong> in<br />
keeping our ears close to the ground<br />
to underst<strong>and</strong> what our customers’<br />
requirements are. These efforts have<br />
been a bright guiding light towards Nam<br />
Cheong’s success today.<br />
“In developing the design of the<br />
NCA80E vessel, Nam Cheong’s engineers<br />
have integrated specifications<br />
<strong>and</strong> features highly dem<strong>and</strong>ed by<br />
customers to arrive at an elegant vessel<br />
design that suits their requirements of<br />
a high performance vessel that’s also<br />
cost efficient.”<br />
Leong also commented on the green<br />
<strong>and</strong> compliant aspects of the vessel:<br />
“Besides the superior performance<br />
of the NCA80E vessel, we are also<br />
mindful of the need to incorporate<br />
environmentally-<strong>friendly</strong> features such<br />
48<br />
november-december, green+.2014
FEATURE<br />
Vessel Details<br />
The NCA80E vessel boasts an<br />
energy efficient design from the<br />
efficient hull lines <strong>and</strong> is equipped<br />
with selected electric drives which<br />
lead to lower fuel consumption<br />
without a loss in power to the<br />
electric drives due to the vessel<br />
design’s exploitation of newer<br />
technologies. In addition, the<br />
vessel features a simplified design<br />
<strong>and</strong> is “Asianised” to allow for an<br />
efficient building process to reduce<br />
delivery time <strong>and</strong> yet, is flexible<br />
enough in its capabilities to be<br />
deployed in multiple roles.<br />
The vessel is also backed by<br />
enhanced performance of high<br />
speed <strong>and</strong> high bollard pull with<br />
a number of key features such<br />
as medium speed controllable<br />
pitch thrusters that provide better<br />
response <strong>and</strong> operational<br />
flexibility, flexibility in cargo<br />
configurations as well as low pressure<br />
system anchor h<strong>and</strong>ling or<br />
towing winches which have been<br />
proven to be of greater robustness<br />
<strong>and</strong> reliability.<br />
Vessel Type Specifications<br />
AHTS Length: 64.8 metres<br />
Bollard pull: 80 tonnes<br />
Other features: Diesel-electric propulsion systems,<br />
Dynamic Positioning Systems 2 (“DP2”)<br />
Class: American Bureau of Shipping (AB)<br />
as electric propulsion that leads to lower<br />
exhaust emissions that helps to reduce<br />
the industry’s carbon footprint.<br />
“The vessel will also come equipped<br />
with oil spill recovery capabilities <strong>and</strong> is<br />
in compliance with the latest statutory<br />
regulations.”<br />
An LOI was secured from repeat<br />
customer, Bumi Armada, a Malaysiabased<br />
international offshore oilfield<br />
services provider. The customer intends<br />
to order four vessels with the option for<br />
four additional vessels. In addition, an<br />
LOI for two vessels was also secured<br />
from repeat customer, Norway-based<br />
Vega Offshore, which has a presence in<br />
Brazil, to facilitate their fleet expansion<br />
programme.<br />
Leong noted: “As an established <strong>and</strong><br />
key repeat customer of Nam Cheong,<br />
Bumi Armada’s interest in the NCA80E<br />
vessel is indeed a strong endorsement<br />
<strong>and</strong> support for our capabilities. We have<br />
an excellent working relationship with<br />
Bumi Armada <strong>and</strong> we look forward to<br />
strengthening this mutually beneficial<br />
affiliation in the years ahead.”<br />
Separately, LOIs were secured from<br />
new customers, Geooffshore, Opstad<br />
<strong>and</strong> Sofield. Registered in Singapore,<br />
Geooffshore is an emerging OSV owner,<br />
controlled by Singapore businessman,<br />
Farid Khan, who is also the regional<br />
managing director of an international<br />
service provider leader in the offshore oil<br />
<strong>and</strong> gas industry.<br />
Geooffshore intends to order four<br />
NCA80E vessels <strong>and</strong> also have the<br />
option to purchase four additional<br />
vessels.<br />
Leong commented: “The strong<br />
interest from Geooffshore is significant<br />
as Farid Khan is a well-known veteran in<br />
the oil <strong>and</strong> gas industry <strong>and</strong> a recognized<br />
expert in the operation of OSVs. As such,<br />
we are heartened by the affirmation of<br />
Nam Cheong’s quality of vessels from<br />
such a reputable partner.”<br />
Opstad is an established OSV owner<br />
<strong>and</strong> seismic support operator based<br />
in Norway while Sofield is a Sabahanowned<br />
emerging offshore <strong>and</strong> marine<br />
company based in Malaysia. The company<br />
which is also a Petronas licensee,<br />
ambitions to benefit from the robust oil<br />
<strong>and</strong> gas business opportunities in East<br />
Malaysia with this new vessel.<br />
Leong commented: “We are working<br />
towards our ambition of being the<br />
largest OSV builder in the world by 2017.<br />
With our built-to-stock business model,<br />
it has allowed a shorter lead time in our<br />
delivery to customers, securing Nam<br />
Cheong a first mover advantage in rolling<br />
out the technologies of the NCA80E<br />
vessel.<br />
“As can be seen from the developments<br />
over the years, our DNA has<br />
evolved from an OSV player focused<br />
on cost efficiencies to that of building<br />
NCA80E, a<br />
64.8m diesel<br />
electric<br />
powered<br />
AHTS with 80<br />
tonnes bollard<br />
pull, based on<br />
Nam Cheong’s<br />
proprietary<br />
design<br />
vessels<br />
which are not just<br />
cost-effective but also fuel efficient <strong>and</strong><br />
environmentally-<strong>friendly</strong>.<br />
“As we go forward, we anticipate our<br />
DNA to develop into a master systems<br />
integrator to tap on the trend of increasing<br />
connectivity in vessels’ ecosystems.<br />
On the outlook, although we have<br />
seen recent volatile oil prices, we<br />
believe our strong reputation within the<br />
highly resilient shallow water segment<br />
remains robust as we continue to see<br />
good dem<strong>and</strong> from customers for our<br />
vessels. Going forward, we plan to stay<br />
ahead of the competition by producing<br />
proprietary designs <strong>and</strong> committing<br />
to our philosophy of Quality, Reliability<br />
<strong>and</strong> Delivery.”<br />
Datuk Tiong concluded: “With the<br />
strong interest in the NCA80E vessel at<br />
this early stage from repeat <strong>and</strong> new<br />
customers, it is heartening <strong>and</strong> is also a<br />
clear testament to the relevance of Nam<br />
Cheong’s capabilities <strong>and</strong> commitment<br />
to maintaining close relationships with<br />
our existing customers <strong>and</strong> in forging<br />
new ones.”<br />
The NCA80E vessels are of American<br />
Bureau of Shipping (ABS) class <strong>and</strong><br />
are being constructed as part of Nam<br />
Cheong’s built-to-stock series in the<br />
Group’s Miri shipyard in Sarawak, East<br />
Malaysia as well as the Group’s subcontracted<br />
yards in China.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 49
PRODUCTS<br />
Weaving hope<br />
for the future<br />
And true beauty is priceless<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>-containers a n d<br />
household items made by<br />
special women from magazine<br />
paper!<br />
This is a social enterprise<br />
project to help women help themselves<br />
<strong>and</strong> protect the environment for future<br />
generations. Reduce carbon footprints<br />
that make climate change such a hot<br />
topic nowadays!<br />
These h<strong>and</strong>made woven containers<br />
have been lovingly & patiently made by<br />
disadvantaged women. Each container<br />
About eHomemakers &<br />
Salaam Wanita <strong>Eco</strong>baskets<br />
eHomemakers empowers women who<br />
need to work from home to balance their<br />
family responsibilities with employment. One<br />
of eH’s primary missions is to train women<br />
who are homebound due to mental <strong>and</strong> physical<br />
disabilities <strong>and</strong> chronic diseases to support<br />
themselves. In some cases, the women are<br />
staying home to take care of children <strong>and</strong><br />
dependents that have disabilities.<br />
In 2002, eH started providing basic<br />
eco-basket training sessions for low-income<br />
women in Ipoh <strong>and</strong> Klang Valley. Since<br />
Top left: A basket-weaving teaching session. Top right: Fong Ye weaves a basket.<br />
Above: Agila shows how it’s done<br />
is patiently woven from paper strips<br />
& they are varnished with non-toxic<br />
paint & shellac. So they are safe to use<br />
for packing gifts like fruits, chocolates,<br />
toiletries, toys, serviettes, cookies <strong>and</strong><br />
anything Each basket is unique & is a<br />
then, over 200 women have been trained<br />
<strong>and</strong> the weavers have developed more<br />
complex <strong>and</strong> intricate patterns that make<br />
the Salaam Wanita ecobaskets st<strong>and</strong> out<br />
in the marketplace. Salaam Wanita means<br />
“Recognizing Women”. Their willingness to<br />
try something new, determination to conquer<br />
the frustrations involved with mastering the<br />
weaving process, <strong>and</strong> originality in creating<br />
new designs illustrates how successful each<br />
of these women can be when presented an<br />
opportunity.<br />
work of art.<br />
You can have baskets with same<br />
colours for your “hantaran” gifts <strong>and</strong><br />
have a green wedding!<br />
You can also give the weavers your<br />
corporate logo papers to weave various<br />
items for br<strong>and</strong>ing purposes. Imagine<br />
500 beautifully woven gifts with your<br />
company logo for your attendees at<br />
your open house / product launch or<br />
your company annual dinner for the<br />
shareholders!<br />
Give the women a helping h<strong>and</strong>,<br />
order in bulk for corporate annual gifts,<br />
door gifts, festival corporate gifts, gifts<br />
for media & product launches, speakers’<br />
gifts, thank you gifts, wedding gifts,<br />
or surprise gifts!<br />
The women making them are from<br />
low income areas, some are single<br />
moms, some are disabled <strong>and</strong> some<br />
take care of dependants who are sick<br />
or disabled.<br />
Your purchases will enable the<br />
women to sustain themselves continuously.<br />
They are not stretching out their<br />
h<strong>and</strong>s for donations, they are making<br />
beautiful things for you.<br />
And true beauty is priceless.<br />
50<br />
november-december, green+.2014
SEDA_210x275mmNEWBleed Blue091014ANLB.pdf 1 10/10/14 8:37 AM<br />
PRODUCTS<br />
Tea Team produces results<br />
Clones of drought <strong>and</strong> frost resistant teas are also being grown<br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
Tea is the world’s favourite<br />
beverage, after water, <strong>and</strong> it<br />
provides a livelihood for millions<br />
of people around the<br />
globe. These projects show<br />
that the industry is committed to helping<br />
smallholder farmers <strong>and</strong> workers<br />
earn a decent wage <strong>and</strong> farm better,<br />
<strong>and</strong> that it underst<strong>and</strong>s that this is fundamental<br />
to building secure supply<br />
chains <strong>and</strong> future success,” so says<br />
Sarah Roberts who leads the Ethical Tea<br />
Partnership or ETP.<br />
The projects she is talking about<br />
involve a much more sustainable<br />
approach than the well-known tea<br />
plantations. The ideas were delivered this<br />
week in London at “Team Up,” the annual<br />
major conference of the tea industry.<br />
Already Farmer Field Schools in<br />
Kenya have increased yields by 33%<br />
in over 48,000 small farms. They now<br />
continue their techniques in Asia <strong>and</strong><br />
elsewhere in Africa.<br />
The ETP works with The <strong>Sustainable</strong><br />
Trade Initiative (IDT) in India <strong>and</strong><br />
Vietnam as well as Malawi, Ug<strong>and</strong>a,<br />
Rw<strong>and</strong>a <strong>and</strong> Tanzania. Many major tea<br />
br<strong>and</strong>s are involved <strong>and</strong> prestigious<br />
conservation movements such as the<br />
Rainforest Alliance.<br />
Securing supply chains <strong>and</strong> building<br />
a “br<strong>and</strong>” for the teas produced is critical<br />
in the projects. Apparently 8 million<br />
small farmers should be brought into<br />
the safer environment provided as they<br />
produce 70% of the “world’s favourite<br />
beverage”.<br />
It is their livelihoods <strong>and</strong> production<br />
techniques that are causing concern,<br />
with Rainforest Alliance Certification a<br />
late addition to the achievements gained<br />
by the successful tea growers. Costs are<br />
low over the 12-month programme that<br />
illustrates different possible farming<br />
techniques.<br />
However, 25% of the course can<br />
include optional kitchen garden or<br />
livestock h<strong>and</strong>ling diversifications. Its’<br />
likely that one farmer can also train his<br />
The Cameron<br />
Highl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
of Malaysia<br />
has been a<br />
well-known<br />
tea-growing<br />
area for many<br />
generations.<br />
Now the sun is<br />
rising on a fair<br />
deal for crops,<br />
especially<br />
from the<br />
smallholdings<br />
seen in many<br />
growing areas.<br />
or her neighbours in the novel parts of<br />
the programme. Good news spreads<br />
fast!<br />
Basically the whole programme has:<br />
+ Improved production <strong>and</strong> yield<br />
+ Increased gross margins<br />
+ Improved farm management<br />
+ Achieved greater diversification of<br />
income<br />
+ Achieved better living st<strong>and</strong>ards<br />
+ Improved health <strong>and</strong> safety<br />
Other programmes now aim to help<br />
100,000 Kenyan farmers secure their<br />
farms against climate change there <strong>and</strong><br />
be aware of affordable finance for their<br />
improvements. This involves tree planting<br />
(for shade <strong>and</strong> nitrogen enrichment<br />
of soils), rainwater harvesting, <strong>and</strong><br />
drip-irrigation.<br />
Clones of drought <strong>and</strong> frost resistant<br />
teas are also being grown, to emphasise<br />
a more scientific approach to problems<br />
in these environments.<br />
Malawi <strong>and</strong> Ug<strong>and</strong>a will also soon be<br />
involved.<br />
52<br />
november-december, green+.2014
MEDIA PARTNER
MIS2015AA-Ad_<strong><strong>Green</strong>+</strong>_210x275mm with <strong><strong>Green</strong>+</strong>.pdf 1 12/12/14 4:45 PM<br />
ARCHITECTURE<br />
Luxury eco-development<br />
at Sanctuary Ridge<br />
PanaHome Malaysia enters JV with Gasing Meridian<br />
PanaHome Malaysia Sdn<br />
Bhd, a housing company<br />
under PanaHome<br />
Corporation Japan (a subsidiary<br />
of the Panasonic<br />
Group) which provides comprehensive<br />
home-building solutions <strong>and</strong> total<br />
township development implementations,<br />
announced its joint venture with<br />
Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd (a member of<br />
the Sanctuary Gasing Group with property<br />
developments worldwide including<br />
Malaysia, Australia, <strong>and</strong> China) to<br />
push ahead one of Malaysia’s premier<br />
luxury eco-property developments at<br />
Sanctuary Ridge Kuala Lumpur City, a<br />
38-acre luxury development which will<br />
be home to 69 units of bungalows.<br />
Sanctuary Ridge Kuala Lumpur City<br />
is a freehold, low-density, <strong>and</strong> gated<br />
development located only five minutes<br />
from Bangsar <strong>and</strong> it offers last-ofits-kind<br />
colonial-sized lots averaging<br />
19,000 sq ft.<br />
Foreigners, permanent residents<br />
(PR) <strong>and</strong> foreign companies affected<br />
by the RM2 million cap <strong>and</strong> other new<br />
guidelines imposed by Selangor can aim<br />
their sights at Sanctuary Ridge Kuala<br />
Lumpur City. Its l<strong>and</strong> (which fall under<br />
the district of Wilayah <strong>and</strong> starts from<br />
just RM288 per sq ft) <strong>and</strong> bungalow<br />
prices are comparable, if not more competitive,<br />
than luxury neighbourhoods<br />
in Selangor; <strong>and</strong> it is located adjacent<br />
to the Petaling Jaya district, so owners<br />
can enjoy the closest proximity to key<br />
commercial <strong>and</strong> residential areas in<br />
Selangor while enjoying one of the most<br />
sought-after Kuala Lumpur addresses.<br />
“We are indeed excited about this<br />
joint venture as it marks another milestone<br />
to express our capabilities in the<br />
construction <strong>and</strong> housing development<br />
industry in Malaysia. It is our earnest<br />
vision to build an ECONATION Malaysia,<br />
<strong>and</strong> this is a first step towards that end.<br />
Together with Gasing Meridian Sdn<br />
Bhd, a developer with international<br />
credits, we are very pleased to introduce<br />
our new building technologies to<br />
Malaysian communities,” said Toshiro<br />
Baba, Managing Director of PanaHome<br />
Malaysia.<br />
Already known for its awardwinning<br />
development, Sanctuary Lakes<br />
in Melbourne, Australia, which rehabilitated<br />
salt wastel<strong>and</strong> into a benchmark<br />
residential development, township<br />
<strong>and</strong> bird sanctuary for Victoria, Gasing<br />
Meridian is set to enhance its pro-eco<br />
property development portfolio by<br />
collaborating with PanaHome Malaysia<br />
to introduce luxury homes showcasing<br />
new building technologies which are<br />
ideal for Southeast Asian homes.<br />
“Malaysia is the second country<br />
that PanaHome has ventured into after<br />
Taiwan <strong>and</strong> we are very proud <strong>and</strong> honoured<br />
to be one of their first partners in<br />
Malaysia,” said Leo Tan, Director, Gasing<br />
Meridian Sdn Bhd.<br />
PanaHome is one of the world’s<br />
leading <strong>Green</strong> Innovation companies in<br />
the housing industry <strong>and</strong> we are truly<br />
impressed with PanaHome’s home<br />
building solutions as it demonstrates<br />
sustainable living without compromising<br />
on aesthetics. These are qualities in<br />
which our very discerning <strong>and</strong> increasingly<br />
environmentally-conscious l<strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> house owners are looking for in<br />
their dream home.”<br />
“The designs, that we will offer, will<br />
integrate various technologies from<br />
PanaHome’s green building solutions.<br />
We also encourage l<strong>and</strong> owners to<br />
integrate PanaHome’s green building<br />
solutions package, which we offer as<br />
an option, when designing their own<br />
home,” Tan added.<br />
The joint venture will culminate in an<br />
approximately 8,000 sq ft show house,<br />
which is expected to complete by the<br />
end of 2015. The three-storey bungalow<br />
will be a functional <strong>and</strong> practical twogeneration<br />
home with common areas<br />
for family activities <strong>and</strong> private areas<br />
in which each family can retreat. All the<br />
bedrooms will be designed to enjoy the<br />
view of Kuala Lumpur City Centre.<br />
This state-of-the-art Sanctuary<br />
Ridge Kuala Lumpur City show house<br />
will showcase the elements of ‘<strong>Eco</strong>’<br />
<strong>and</strong> ‘Smart’ home ideas for Southeast<br />
Asian homes, reflecting the two<br />
54<br />
november-december, green+.2014
ARCHITECTURE<br />
companies’ commitment to environmental<br />
sustainability.<br />
Based on the planned design <strong>and</strong><br />
features, the owner can expect to enjoy<br />
greater energy savings <strong>and</strong>, possibly, to<br />
even earn a small income if the owner<br />
chooses to apply for the Feed in Tariff<br />
(FiT) programme. Introduced by our<br />
government in 2010, the programme<br />
compensates consumers of renewable<br />
energy who produce a surplus of electricity<br />
that can be used by the national<br />
grid.<br />
The amazing KiraTech tiles, which<br />
will be featured on the building’s exterior,<br />
helps to decompose pollutant gases<br />
(decomposition of NOx) <strong>and</strong> a 200sqM<br />
area of KiraTech tiles has been shown<br />
to be equivalent to the air cleaning<br />
capability of approximately of 14 poplar<br />
trees.<br />
Aside from its air-purifying<br />
function, the KiraTech tiles has selfcleaning<br />
capabilities for longer lasting<br />
<strong>and</strong> cleaner tiles, which translates into<br />
long-term maintenance cost savings.<br />
The construction of the show house<br />
at Sanctuary Ridge Kuala Lumpur<br />
City can be completed within six<br />
months through PanaHome’s building<br />
methodologies <strong>and</strong> design approaches,<br />
Malaysia is the second<br />
country that PanaHome<br />
has ventured into after Taiwan<br />
<strong>and</strong> we are very proud <strong>and</strong><br />
honoured to be one of their<br />
first partners in Malaysia.<br />
– Leo Tan, Director, Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd.<br />
which has been successfully tested <strong>and</strong><br />
completed on their office located in the<br />
neighbourhood of Bangsar.<br />
Construction methods utilizing prefabrication<br />
technology (steel’s frame<br />
structure) ensure a consistent <strong>and</strong> high<br />
quality building while accomplishing<br />
shorter construction time relative to<br />
conventional methods.<br />
Also incorporated is the heat insulation<br />
technology to minimize heat<br />
transmission from the outside; the<br />
unique PanaHome PureTech (structured<br />
embedded ventilation system)<br />
supplies effective circulation of natural<br />
cool air to keep the internal living space<br />
naturally cool <strong>and</strong> clean hence reducing<br />
energy consumption.<br />
The PureTech system will eliminate<br />
contaminated indoor air without<br />
opening windows <strong>and</strong> this will assist<br />
in minimising pests from entering<br />
the home while enhancing security.<br />
The show house will also come with<br />
high-grade waterproofing features<br />
to overcome common water leakage<br />
problems faced by homes in tropical<br />
countries with frequent heavy rainfall.<br />
“With this joint venture, we hope<br />
that Sanctuary Ridge Kuala Lumpur<br />
City will become a benchmark for<br />
Malaysian eco-property development<br />
in the luxury segment,” said Tan.<br />
PanaHome <strong>and</strong> Gasing Meridian<br />
exhibited at the International <strong>Green</strong>tech<br />
& <strong>Eco</strong> Products Exhibition & Conference<br />
Malaysia (IGEM 2014) from Oct 16-19 at<br />
the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre<br />
(KLCC).<br />
green+.2014, november-december 55
ARCHITECTURE<br />
Pomeroy Studio unveil Newpark<br />
A new eco-township set in the 100-year-old former colonial town of Kluang<br />
Award-winning green<br />
designers Pomeroy Studio<br />
have unveiled plans for<br />
an innovative park <strong>and</strong><br />
skygarden orientated ecotownship,<br />
located in the 100-year old<br />
former colonial town of Kluang, Johor.<br />
Close to the most important<br />
Expressway in West Malaysia (the<br />
North-South Expressway), ‘Newpark’,<br />
will be the largest masterplanned commercial<br />
project in Kluang <strong>and</strong> seeks to<br />
balance 21st century trade <strong>and</strong> education<br />
with green living.<br />
It will host a diverse mix of uses that<br />
will mark the town’s evolution from<br />
a palm oil production centre to a preeminent<br />
vocational education <strong>and</strong> trade<br />
leader. Centred in the middle of Johor<br />
state, Kluang is set to capitalize on trade<br />
Artist<br />
Impressions<br />
of Kluang<br />
Serviced<br />
Residences<br />
<strong>and</strong> expositions through Newpark’s<br />
state of the art infrastructure.<br />
Its enviable position near the celebrated<br />
natural l<strong>and</strong>mark of the Gunang<br />
Lambak hills allows the masterplan to<br />
draw its green inspiration in order to<br />
establish a new chapter in Kluang’s<br />
history.<br />
We are delighted to be undertaking this<br />
l<strong>and</strong>mark project that combines our green<br />
architecture, masterplanning, l<strong>and</strong>scape design<br />
<strong>and</strong> environmental consultancy skills in order to<br />
give the town of Kluang a truly sustainable built<br />
environment for its future growth.<br />
– Jason Pomeroy, founding Principal of Pomeroy Studio<br />
Jason Pomeroy, founding Principal<br />
of Pomeroy Studio, said: “We are<br />
delighted to be undertaking this<br />
l<strong>and</strong>mark project that combines our<br />
green architecture, masterplanning,<br />
l<strong>and</strong>scape design <strong>and</strong> environmental<br />
consultancy skills in order to give the<br />
town of Kluang a truly sustainable built<br />
56<br />
november-december, green+.2014
ARCHITECTURE<br />
environment for its future growth.”<br />
Tey Fui Kien, Executive Director<br />
of Majupadu Development Sdn Bhd,<br />
a reputable developer with accolades<br />
from local <strong>and</strong> state authorities for<br />
creating quality real estate through<br />
innovative, life-improving commercial<br />
<strong>and</strong> residential developments in Kluang<br />
said: “We are delighted to be partnering<br />
with Pomeroy Studio given their track<br />
record of pioneering green design. Their<br />
ability to balance design innovation with<br />
culture is just what the town of Kluang<br />
needs. This project is an opportunity to<br />
upgrade Kluang for the future. This is a<br />
game changing moment for us.”<br />
Central to the masterplan is a new<br />
park, called the Promenade, which<br />
draws inspiration from the Gunang<br />
Lambak hills that forms an iconic<br />
backdrop to the town. The Promenade<br />
will connect an expo-trade centre, an<br />
education hub, serviced apartments,<br />
a business hotel <strong>and</strong> its associated<br />
convention facilities, shop offices <strong>and</strong><br />
business parks <strong>and</strong> a residential<br />
community.<br />
Not only will the Promenade offer an<br />
abundance of social <strong>and</strong> recreational<br />
amenities for both residents <strong>and</strong><br />
visitors, but it will also be a zero energy<br />
public realm - given its ability to generate<br />
enough energy to offset the public<br />
utility infrastructure.<br />
The hotel <strong>and</strong> the convention centre<br />
at Newpark forms the gateway to<br />
this vibrant new development <strong>and</strong> is<br />
where the new life of Kluang begins.<br />
Embracing the districts trade <strong>and</strong> education<br />
focus, it will become the town’s<br />
epicenter of social <strong>and</strong> economic activity<br />
<strong>and</strong> will incorporate a multitude of<br />
different functions to cater for visiting<br />
trade <strong>and</strong> education delegates.<br />
St<strong>and</strong>ing as the tallest building in<br />
Kluang, it will house over 250 businessclass<br />
rooms, suites <strong>and</strong> family suites. It<br />
will also contain offices, retail, speciality<br />
restaurants, bars <strong>and</strong> a state of the<br />
art convention centre that will serve<br />
multiple needs from trade <strong>and</strong> government<br />
conventions, weddings, to cultural<br />
celebrations in its 1200 capacity gr<strong>and</strong><br />
ballroom. Crowning the development<br />
will be a rooftop bar that will offer<br />
unprecedented views to Gunang<br />
Lambak hills.<br />
The Deck will be a holistic entertainment<br />
<strong>and</strong> leisure destination associated<br />
with the hotel <strong>and</strong> convention centre.<br />
It will comprise a myriad of different<br />
amenities that include lap <strong>and</strong><br />
recreational swimming pools, indoor,<br />
outdoor <strong>and</strong> water gyms, a spa, yoga<br />
<strong>and</strong> pilates zones, a running track,<br />
outdoor chess, children’s day care <strong>and</strong><br />
play area <strong>and</strong> an abundance of seating<br />
areas for social events, relaxation or<br />
quiet contemplation.<br />
All the facilities will be set within<br />
a verdant green garden that will help<br />
reduce temperatures to ensure a<br />
conducive outdoor environment that<br />
guests <strong>and</strong> visitors alike will be able to<br />
enjoy.<br />
Majupadu’s commitment to transforming<br />
the community by elevating<br />
the quality of life in Kluang will also<br />
see the town receive its first serviced<br />
Artist<br />
Impressions -<br />
Top: Newpark<br />
Promenade<br />
| Bottom:<br />
Newpark<br />
Residence<br />
| Middle:<br />
Residence<br />
Lobby<br />
residences at Newpark. The concept<br />
seeks to balance the contemporary<br />
living with the delight of resort – style<br />
recreational amenities.<br />
Offering a range of suites that have<br />
views to either the Promenade, or the<br />
distant hills of Gunang Lambak, the<br />
design of this l<strong>and</strong>mark residential<br />
development will be a lesson in green<br />
design.<br />
Residents will enjoy reductions<br />
in energy <strong>and</strong> water bills given the<br />
building’s optimization of natural light,<br />
natural ventilation, grey <strong>and</strong> rainwater<br />
harvesting methodologies <strong>and</strong> the<br />
exploration of solar energy.<br />
The result will be green living with<br />
enhanced safety <strong>and</strong> security blended<br />
with healthier lifestyle choices.<br />
The first phase of the development<br />
will commence in early 2015, with the<br />
first phase comprising of a combination<br />
of shop offices alongside the l<strong>and</strong>mark<br />
hotel <strong>and</strong> its convention centre, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
serviced residences.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 57
ARCHITECTURE<br />
Shining with sustainability<br />
System also allows members of staff to monitor energy consumption daily<br />
Web Earth has brought<br />
its ethos of sustainability<br />
closer to home<br />
by installing Solar PV<br />
panels on the rooftop<br />
of the group’s Singapore headquarters.<br />
The move comes as growing numbers<br />
of companies in Singapore are<br />
switching on to the many benefits of<br />
renewable energy.<br />
The system has been designed to<br />
power all the practice’s communal<br />
facilities as well as its lifts, lighting <strong>and</strong><br />
water pumps.<br />
The aim is to reduce the building’s<br />
overall energy consumption <strong>and</strong> the<br />
system also allows members of staff<br />
to monitor energy consumption daily<br />
from laptops <strong>and</strong> iPhones to ensure it is<br />
working correctly.<br />
Web Structures’ state-of-the-art<br />
headquarters is already one of the most<br />
environmentally <strong>friendly</strong> in Singapore.<br />
The five-storey building at 40<br />
Carpenter Street – one of the city’s<br />
prime business locations – was<br />
designed with sustainability in<br />
mind.<br />
Minimal use of materials was key in<br />
all areas of its renovation to minimise<br />
the embodied emissions associated<br />
with the office. Recycled cardboard has<br />
been used to create furniture.<br />
And where new equipment was<br />
required existing lighting was replaced<br />
by high efficiency T5 lighting <strong>and</strong> controlled<br />
by motion <strong>and</strong> daylight sensors<br />
where applicable.<br />
Richard Outhwaite, director of Web<br />
Earth, oversaw the project to put panels<br />
on its rooftop <strong>and</strong> says solar power is<br />
proving to be an attractive investment<br />
for companies in Singapore.<br />
A view from the<br />
top floor<br />
He says: “Singapore is a great place<br />
for PV panels because we have yearround,<br />
constant sun exposure.<br />
“All the country’s energy is<br />
imported from neighbouring Indonesia<br />
<strong>and</strong> Malaysia <strong>and</strong> energy costs are at an<br />
all-time high in Singapore.<br />
“Current prices mean returns of<br />
between 12-15 per cent on investment<br />
<strong>and</strong> a seven to eight year payback.<br />
“Leading companies, such as food<br />
distributor <strong>and</strong> supermarket retailer<br />
Sheng Siong, recently installed large<br />
PV arrays on their warehouse rooftops,<br />
with investment <strong>and</strong> profitability one of<br />
the main drivers.”<br />
Web Earth has incorporated the use<br />
of solar PV panels in its approach to<br />
eco-<strong>friendly</strong> design excellence.<br />
They include residential homes in<br />
Singapore <strong>and</strong> Kuala Lumpur, targetting<br />
zero energy consumption <strong>and</strong><br />
the new eng Wah retail development<br />
at Clenmenti, achieving green mark<br />
platinum status recently..<br />
Richard says: “Solar panels are playing<br />
an increasing role in our approach to<br />
incorporate renewable energy into our<br />
design <strong>and</strong> they really can make a big<br />
difference, both financially <strong>and</strong> in terms<br />
of sustainability.<br />
“Increasing numbers of our clients<br />
are looking to benefit from cheap, reliable<br />
<strong>and</strong> environmentally <strong>friendly</strong> solar<br />
power.”<br />
He adds: “The solar energy market<br />
in Singapore is so competitive right<br />
now <strong>and</strong> there are start-up businesses<br />
entering the market that will install<br />
solar panels on a roof free of charge!<br />
“The tenant then buys the energy, at<br />
a cheaper price than local utility tariffs,<br />
from the solar leasing company over<br />
20 years.<br />
“The market in Singapore has<br />
developed a sustainable path to open<br />
the city’s extensive building stock to<br />
renewable energy on a large scale.<br />
“Some of Singapore blue chip companies,<br />
such as Woh Hup, the largest<br />
privately owned construction company<br />
in Singapore, have installed large PV<br />
systems under a leasing model to cut<br />
their energy bills <strong>and</strong> reduce their<br />
operational carbon emissions.”<br />
58<br />
november-december, green+.2014
This paper is produced in a plant awarded the<br />
ISO 9001:2008 for Quality Management System,<br />
ISO 14001:2004 for Environmental Management System ,<br />
<strong>and</strong> ISO 9706 for Permanency Paper
ENERGY<br />
Google: A better web<br />
Better for the environment<br />
Google has worked hard to<br />
minimise the environmental<br />
impact of their services.<br />
In fact, when they provide<br />
an active user one-month<br />
of Google services, they use less energy<br />
than driving a car one mile <strong>and</strong> if you add<br />
in their renewable energy <strong>and</strong> offsets,<br />
their footprint is zero.<br />
Google continues to find new ways to<br />
reduce the impact even further.<br />
Data centres that save energy<br />
Google data centres are some of the<br />
most efficient in the world, to be specific,<br />
their data centres use only 50%<br />
of the energy of most other data centres.<br />
In addition to reducing the impact<br />
on the environment, their efficient data<br />
centre designs have saved them over<br />
a billion dollars to date <strong>and</strong> according<br />
to an independent study, Google uses<br />
very little of the world’s electricity (less<br />
than 0.01%). Additionally, Google was<br />
the first major Internet service company<br />
to gain external certification of its<br />
high environmental <strong>and</strong> energy management<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ards throughout their<br />
data centres.<br />
<strong>Green</strong>ing their power<br />
Currently, very little of the world’s<br />
power is from renewables like wind<br />
<strong>and</strong> solar. Google has been working<br />
on changing that by buying electricity<br />
directly from wind farms near their<br />
data centers. Google also is working<br />
with their utility partners to find solutions<br />
that will make more renewable<br />
energy available for us <strong>and</strong> for others.<br />
All of these initiatives help it get clean<br />
energy at competitive prices <strong>and</strong> the<br />
wind farm owners get the money they<br />
need to finance new clean energy facilities.<br />
Together, they make the grid a little<br />
bit greener.<br />
On their own turf<br />
Google’s commitment to reducing the<br />
environmental impact extends to<br />
60<br />
november-december, green+.2014
ENERGY<br />
offices worldwide. Most of the on-campus<br />
green initiatives were started by<br />
Googlers, <strong>and</strong> have now grown into company-wide<br />
efforts. From the solar panels<br />
on their roofs to their bike-to-work programme,<br />
these initiatives eliminate the<br />
equivalent of more than 21,500 metric<br />
tons of CO2 per year.<br />
Carbon offsets: getting to zero<br />
Even after efforts in efficiency <strong>and</strong><br />
renewable energy, Google still impacts<br />
the environment. To eliminate impacts<br />
on climate change, they have invested in<br />
projects that reduces carbon emissions<br />
at another source outside of Google <strong>and</strong><br />
can be very picky as they want to make<br />
sure that investments that have been<br />
made have a positive impact <strong>and</strong> that it<br />
wouldn’t have happened without them.<br />
For example, Google pays for reductions<br />
in emissions from a l<strong>and</strong>fill near their<br />
data centre. By investing in these projects,<br />
the total climate impact ends up<br />
being zero. This means that all products<br />
<strong>and</strong> services from them are carbon<br />
neutral.<br />
Their footprint: beyond zero<br />
Efforts in efficiency, buying clean<br />
energy <strong>and</strong> purchasing carbon offsets<br />
bring the carbon footprint down<br />
to zero. Google is going beyond carbon<br />
neutral by committing over $1 billion<br />
to renewable energy projects that<br />
create far more renewable energy for<br />
the world than they have consumed as<br />
a company. In addition, Google’s products<br />
have enabled users to save energy<br />
themselves.<br />
Renewable energy for everyone<br />
else<br />
In addition to investing in renewable<br />
energy for Google’s own operations, they<br />
have also been investing in renewable<br />
power projects to grow the industry as<br />
a whole. They have specifically committed<br />
over $1 billion to renewable energy<br />
projects such as large-scale wind <strong>and</strong><br />
rooftop solar <strong>and</strong> when added up, these<br />
projects represent a total capacity of over<br />
2 GW, which is far more electricity than<br />
is used. To put this in context, this electricity<br />
is equivalent to that consumed by<br />
more than 500,000 homes.<br />
You can save energy too<br />
Google products provide over 100 billion<br />
searches every month, map information<br />
for over 1 billion monthly users, <strong>and</strong> host<br />
over 5 million businesses in the cloud.<br />
In addition to being carbon neutral,<br />
Google’s products can help you reduce<br />
your impact on the environment.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 61
GOING GREEN<br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
It is wrong to choose just one species<br />
to represent conservation, but the<br />
turtles are among the most unique<br />
<strong>and</strong> the most threatened of all How<br />
much longer will be we be able to<br />
touch the largest chelonian, before<br />
their unique lifestyle disappears,<br />
along with all the others we have<br />
destroyed? Change is certainly<br />
needed among those who can create<br />
enormous directional modifications<br />
to this mad flight to self-destruction,<br />
<strong>and</strong> it is needed right now.<br />
Two perspectives<br />
on the biosphere<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>nomic growth is useless if all the forests are gone<br />
Julia Marton-Lefèvre <strong>and</strong> E.O.<br />
Wilson are two people you probably<br />
aren’t aware of. That is because<br />
they are, respectively Director<br />
General of IUCN (International<br />
Union for the Conservation of Nature) for<br />
eight years, <strong>and</strong> Pulitzer Prize-winning<br />
sociobiologist <strong>and</strong> renowned evolution<br />
<strong>and</strong> ant expert! Not exactly the pop<br />
world.<br />
They share one great criticism this<br />
week of the world’s politicians <strong>and</strong> technologists.<br />
While one criticises the lack<br />
of logic in politicians’ behaviour towards<br />
conservation of resources, the other<br />
suggests that ethics are needed for a<br />
solution to the same problem: unless<br />
we save other species, then our own is<br />
doomed to extinction too.<br />
Professor Wilson has a sciencecentric<br />
way of thinking that deludes the<br />
non-scientific. Politicians believe him to<br />
be egocentric, unless they are scientists<br />
themselves. On the other h<strong>and</strong> Julia<br />
Marton-Lefèvre is able to state that 9bn<br />
people need to gain their food, water <strong>and</strong><br />
shelter from the protected places she<br />
wants politicians to be much more aware<br />
of. Without fish, for example, much of<br />
the coastal population will starve. Yet<br />
only 3% of marine life is protected, compared<br />
to 15% of l<strong>and</strong> species.<br />
We would question whether diplomacy<br />
or straightforward logic would suit<br />
a world in which we need much more<br />
conservation, both nationally <strong>and</strong> on an<br />
international <strong>and</strong> cooperative basis.<br />
You can read much more on the current<br />
publications <strong>and</strong> conferences with<br />
which this ageing professor <strong>and</strong> this<br />
vigorous, somewhat-younger lady are<br />
involved. Julia, if she will forgive us using<br />
her name, can be found in the Guardian<br />
<strong>and</strong> elsewhere, representing the IUCN<br />
at the decadal World Parks Conference<br />
in Sydney.<br />
Edward (the prof) officially retired in<br />
1996, so he has a more relaxed tour of<br />
what he mistakenly calls the mother<br />
country, selling yet another book<br />
he’s written, The Meaning of Human<br />
Existence, but also promoting a Dorset<br />
Memo (Mass Extinction Monitoring<br />
62<br />
november-december, green+.2014
GOING GREEN<br />
The Global <strong>Green</strong><br />
<strong>Eco</strong>nomy Index 2014<br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
The Global <strong>Green</strong> <strong>Eco</strong>nomy<br />
Index is now onto its 4th biennial<br />
edition of separating the<br />
cabbages from the clowns.<br />
<strong>Green</strong> performance entails an<br />
awful lot of renewable energy<br />
or eating cabbage, while the<br />
clowns think they can still get<br />
away with uneconomical cars<br />
<strong>and</strong> coal-fired power stations.<br />
Top of course are the<br />
Sc<strong>and</strong>inavians, whose<br />
policies have been green for<br />
generations, although an<br />
awful lot of oil <strong>and</strong> gas have<br />
powered Norway’s expensive<br />
conversion to the green side.<br />
Germany naturally gets the<br />
perception award for being<br />
so much in the forefront<br />
of renewable energy <strong>and</strong><br />
showing European leadership<br />
in the necessary economic<br />
<strong>and</strong> environmental change.<br />
Behind Sweden <strong>and</strong><br />
Norway, the 3rd spot for<br />
performance goes for first<br />
time entrants, Costa Rica,<br />
whose efforts, especially in<br />
sustainable building, are only<br />
helped a little by their small<br />
size. Large nations do have<br />
a problem with the absolute<br />
expense of change. Of the<br />
60 countries <strong>and</strong> 70 cities<br />
surveyed, larger nations such<br />
as China, Pol<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> lastly,<br />
Mongolia bring up the rear.<br />
Many countries are not<br />
perceived as being green<br />
enough or they appear much<br />
more green than they really<br />
are. The African countries of<br />
Ethiopia, Mauritius, Rw<strong>and</strong>a<br />
<strong>and</strong> Zambia deserve credit for<br />
becoming very environmentally<br />
<strong>friendly</strong>.<br />
Cities that have been<br />
poor performers long ago,<br />
now rank highly. Being<br />
rich enough to alter your<br />
infrastructure is also a<br />
help. With London <strong>and</strong> its<br />
eco-buildings 5th <strong>and</strong> New<br />
York 7th, only the obvious<br />
ones such as Copenhagen<br />
<strong>and</strong> Amsterdam beat them.<br />
The nicest cities seem to be<br />
all green, such as, in order,<br />
Stockholm, Vancouver, Berlin<br />
<strong>and</strong> Singapore, not forgetting<br />
Oslo in 10th.<br />
Concern has to be<br />
expressed about developed<br />
countries that have fallen<br />
behind. Australia, Japan,<br />
the Netherl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> the US<br />
perform poorly compared<br />
to other similar countries.<br />
This group seem to class<br />
themselves as fairly green,<br />
but this just doesn’t add up<br />
in reality Likewise, the UK is<br />
inconsistent <strong>and</strong> therefore<br />
In Paris, they have their own ideas about how green a building or<br />
a city should be. France performs very well compared to some<br />
neighbours in this survey, but its perceptions of itself are less good!<br />
never excels in the survey,<br />
unlike many other European<br />
countries that exceed even<br />
their own green perception<br />
of themselves. Opposite to<br />
the UK, France outranks it on<br />
performance but sees itself<br />
as much less green than<br />
the UK! In similar fashion,<br />
Colombia, Chile <strong>and</strong> Peru are<br />
imperceptibly green on the<br />
outside, but are blossoming<br />
on the inside!<br />
Buildings are often the<br />
key to “green-ness”, as their<br />
emissions are prominent<br />
among polluting sources.<br />
So we can judge a nation’s<br />
performance on climate,<br />
energy <strong>and</strong> their environment<br />
almost with only a<br />
sustainability of building<br />
report. The Dual Citizen LLC<br />
consultancy produce the GGEI<br />
report from the US. – www.<br />
earthtimes.org<br />
Observatory) to 860 extinct species<br />
since the dodo in 1662. The newspaper<br />
covering this epic event is The Times<br />
with King of the Ants.<br />
The Director General is more diplomatic<br />
when she states that the Aichi<br />
Biodiversity Targets are unlikely to<br />
be attained in 2020. She is simply not<br />
optimistic that commitments can be<br />
met. She herself is stepping down this<br />
year - hopefully not retiring yet, either!<br />
Her organisation is fighting poachers<br />
in particular but politicians too.<br />
Her agreement with the professor is<br />
reasonable to assume. It isn’t about the<br />
love of birds <strong>and</strong> butterflies; it’s about<br />
our survival. We need to behave better<br />
towards our planet <strong>and</strong> behave better<br />
towards each other.<br />
In other words, economic growth is<br />
useless if all the forests are gone. They<br />
are needed alive <strong>and</strong> still st<strong>and</strong>ing, as<br />
habitats <strong>and</strong> food sources, just as the<br />
marine forests are! With only 25% of<br />
protected areas managed at all well <strong>and</strong><br />
half of our most biodiverse sites totally<br />
unprotected, the pessimism she feels is<br />
reasonable.<br />
Between $45bn <strong>and</strong> $76bn will be<br />
needed just to manage the poachers<br />
(<strong>and</strong> the politicians), but this is only 2.5%<br />
of global military spending. It is an old<br />
argument that never worked, but it’s<br />
always worth mentioning.<br />
Of the IUCN Red List’s 73,686 species,<br />
22,103 are classed as threatened. With<br />
EO. Wilson adding the extinct 860, that<br />
leaves a “helluvalot” more work to do for<br />
those of us remaining. His 50 years of<br />
earnest <strong>and</strong> thoughtful work have left<br />
him believing technology will not rescue<br />
us from the mess we have created.<br />
Our emotions <strong>and</strong> our institutions<br />
are ill-fitted to the task of changing<br />
the world around. We must save the<br />
environment but new technologies are<br />
the only route by which the organisms<br />
<strong>and</strong> their habitats can provide us with a<br />
healthy biosphere.<br />
Whoever has the better argument,<br />
we certainly need them both. The<br />
people who make up this world are<br />
unfortunately responsible for the other<br />
species <strong>and</strong> the whole biosphere. It is up<br />
to those with this knowledge <strong>and</strong> this<br />
experience to lead us to new conclusions<br />
about action. And I am sorry, time<br />
is up for us all, given the warmings, the<br />
droughts, the floods <strong>and</strong> the tears. –<br />
www.earthtimes.org<br />
green+.2014, november-december 63
BUSINESS<br />
Transformers, but<br />
with your house!<br />
Parent company claim great ambition for<br />
that Zero Energy places them above similar<br />
companies<br />
The Netherl<strong>and</strong>s have<br />
exported their unlikely<br />
substitute for building<br />
energy efficient houses.<br />
Instead of that expense,<br />
they take old houses <strong>and</strong> coat<br />
them with insulation <strong>and</strong> solar<br />
panels! The concept is hardly original<br />
but if industry takes to it, what<br />
can you do?<br />
Net Zero Energy has now<br />
transferred its refurbishments<br />
to two neighbouring countries at<br />
least, after a successful <strong>and</strong> quick<br />
4-year surge of acceptance in<br />
the Netherl<strong>and</strong>s. Energiesprong<br />
(Energy Spring) negotiates with<br />
housing associations, local councils<br />
(council estates, often called<br />
social housing), <strong>and</strong> builders <strong>and</strong><br />
has achieved deals for at least<br />
100,000 homes in each country.<br />
The biggest attraction, as the<br />
name Net Zero implies, is the<br />
carbon neutral retrofit.<br />
The parent company claim<br />
great ambition for that Zero<br />
Energy places them above similar<br />
companies. With a cost higher<br />
than current energy bills, the idea<br />
is that as energy costs rise, the<br />
protagonists can all save money<br />
in time. Performance guarantees<br />
persuade house owners, who all<br />
have to agree before a building<br />
can be transformed. It’s the IKEA<br />
kitchens, fridges, electric cooking<br />
<strong>and</strong> bathroom refits that help in<br />
that argument with thee hausfrau.<br />
The great volume of dem<strong>and</strong> has<br />
managed to attract builders<br />
investment in the idea. Financiers<br />
also seem strangely inclined to<br />
offer help too, so there’s gold in<br />
them buildings!<br />
Naturally, governments are<br />
attracted to the political achievement<br />
of greater energy savings<br />
nationally. 40% of European<br />
carbon emissions derive from<br />
heating <strong>and</strong> lighting in buildings<br />
<strong>and</strong> this renovation can make<br />
old housing (99% of the buildings<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ing) produce the net<br />
zero emissions necessary in<br />
Credit: © Energiesprong<br />
A former ministry in The Hague<br />
was the site for a celebratory<br />
balloon release on September<br />
29th in the form of a house<br />
new-builds. Most maintenance<br />
(for 40 years) is normally included<br />
in the costs of refurbishing, so the<br />
political gain could be lengthy, if<br />
the deal lasts as long as the house.<br />
Remember that the housing situations<br />
chosen may include housing<br />
stock, such as 50-year-old buildings<br />
that would need massive<br />
maintenance anyway. Private<br />
housing is less popular at the<br />
moment, but the deal obviously<br />
works for them too.<br />
If the wind used to blow<br />
through their windows <strong>and</strong> doors,<br />
some of the converted tenants<br />
have commented in the UK that<br />
their new home insulates like a<br />
tea cosy! If you don’t know what<br />
that is, just imagine…. In Holl<strong>and</strong>,<br />
the retrofit can take as little as<br />
10 days. EU money is given out<br />
for French <strong>and</strong> English projects,<br />
again using that old housing stock.<br />
From London to Lille, the outlook<br />
for these houses is bright <strong>and</strong><br />
green. While social banks have<br />
been financing the projects in the<br />
Netherl<strong>and</strong>s, high street banks will<br />
probably now be involved. Tenants<br />
pay their old energy bills <strong>and</strong> rent,<br />
until the bill is paid, so all seem to<br />
end up happy.<br />
Your future is here, housing<br />
tenants, so get the neighbours to<br />
agree <strong>and</strong> get in there! – www.<br />
earthtimes.org<br />
Horse Sense<br />
The Yukon horse <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Nevada horse represented<br />
the last traces of a North<br />
American phenomenon<br />
that has perplexed us for<br />
generations-the evolution<br />
<strong>and</strong> the loss of recent<br />
horse species. The Yukon,<br />
Equus lambei resembled<br />
Przewalski’s species, Equus<br />
ferus przewalskii, while the<br />
large Nevada, Equus scotti,<br />
is thought to be close to<br />
the basic zebra line. This<br />
species could even stretch<br />
its ancestry to the very early<br />
European Equus stenonis,<br />
which was also a big species.<br />
While some recent horse<br />
species evolved in America,<br />
then migrated 11mya to<br />
Eurasia <strong>and</strong> Africa, those<br />
remaining in their native<br />
l<strong>and</strong> area eventually became<br />
extinct. The reasons are not<br />
hard to imagine. Most of<br />
the so-called megafauna<br />
died out at the same time,<br />
because of climate change<br />
in the form of global cooling,<br />
grass species change <strong>and</strong>/<br />
or human disruption.<br />
Unfortunately, horse<br />
meat was very popular on<br />
the menu of early humans<br />
in Eurasia, at least, <strong>and</strong> still<br />
is. The modern domestic<br />
horse, Equus ferus caballus,<br />
the domestic donkey (also<br />
found in the wild as the ass),<br />
the ass cousin the onager,<br />
the tarpan, kiang <strong>and</strong> zebras<br />
are all we have left, with<br />
none in North America, save<br />
a few remnants of ferals that<br />
the ranchers allow from the<br />
once-thriving mustangs<br />
brought in by the Spanish.<br />
Most successful in the wild<br />
are the plains zebra, Equus<br />
quagga (not the extinct<br />
quagga).<br />
Strange discoveries may<br />
still remain in the opposite<br />
direction from Eurasia,<br />
which the equines reached<br />
via the link area known as<br />
Beringia (after the Bering<br />
Strait.) In South America,<br />
which was already connected<br />
via the Panamanian<br />
isthmus, Equus <strong>and</strong>ium <strong>and</strong><br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
Looking a little inbred, this<br />
herd of Przewalki’s horse are<br />
the ideal-more than a simple<br />
breed-an actual subspecies<br />
that has remained wild<br />
(<strong>and</strong> stubborn) since their<br />
speciation<br />
4 other small species are<br />
thought to have survived<br />
well from the Middle<br />
Pleistocene (1mya) to the<br />
early Holocene (700,000ya.)<br />
They could not have replaced<br />
horse species that lived<br />
there before them, as it is<br />
likely they crossed over<br />
when the isthmus formed,<br />
around 3 million years ago.<br />
The reverse of the<br />
usual scientific process is<br />
happening here. More often<br />
than not, we allow information<br />
about wild species to<br />
illustrate how domestic<br />
species have changed. The<br />
rich genetic information we<br />
have used from 59 horse<br />
genomes in “Horses look<br />
back” informs us about<br />
how wild species may have<br />
evolved.<br />
The graphs <strong>and</strong> detail in<br />
that paper give a real feel of<br />
the background science.<br />
What makes horse sense<br />
is that the modern horse<br />
species’ teeth, longer legs<br />
<strong>and</strong> neck, one-toed hoof<br />
<strong>and</strong> digestion suit the plains<br />
of America, Eurasia, Africa<br />
<strong>and</strong> even the pampas, it<br />
seems. We can be grateful<br />
that magnificent creatures<br />
like these still remain on<br />
the planet at all. Many are<br />
disappearing fast, as we<br />
read. They can be saved with<br />
real appreciation of what<br />
horses mean to humans, not<br />
only in our history, but at an<br />
iconic, almost religious level.<br />
– www.earthtimes.org<br />
64<br />
november-december, green+.2014
NATURE<br />
Mad about Madagascar<br />
Science has to struggle with the niches of each individual species<br />
Bad news for<br />
corals <strong>and</strong> divers<br />
The tomato frog, Dyscophus antongilii, is a near-threatened endemic<br />
from Antongili Bay in Madagascar’s north east. The species’ situation is<br />
yet another example of gross negligence <strong>and</strong> lack of underst<strong>and</strong>ing, as<br />
pet-traders profited from the export of vast numbers from the isl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Beautiful <strong>and</strong> endangered, like all of the unique wildlife of this great<br />
natural nature reserve.<br />
Jason L. Brown <strong>and</strong> his<br />
fellow researchers from<br />
Duke University (<strong>and</strong> City<br />
College NYC), Queens,<br />
Belfast <strong>and</strong> the Technical<br />
University of Braunschweig have<br />
studied the reptiles <strong>and</strong> amphibian<br />
of Madagascar for years.<br />
With Africa possessing some of<br />
the most biodiverse hotspots on<br />
earth, the large isl<strong>and</strong>, although<br />
only having 0.5% of the l<strong>and</strong> surface<br />
on earth, surpasses its<br />
continent in sheer isolated magnificence.<br />
The processes that<br />
made these endemic species<br />
possible have now been recreated<br />
using their mixed-spatial model.<br />
The patterns of biodiversity<br />
from 8,362 records of 745 species<br />
were fed in. Using many possible<br />
biogeographic movements, the<br />
observed patterns seem to have<br />
been influenced by many more<br />
than one simple diversification<br />
process. As the team say, One<br />
size certainly does not fit all. The<br />
conclusions would be that species<br />
richness, endemism <strong>and</strong> the<br />
similarity of different communities<br />
can be used to explain the<br />
Madagascan situation.<br />
The main groups studied in<br />
this paper differed from each<br />
other in the response they made<br />
to their magic environment. For<br />
the future, climate change <strong>and</strong><br />
l<strong>and</strong> use must now be taken into<br />
account if we are to save the<br />
many critically threatened habitats<br />
<strong>and</strong> species on this extensive<br />
natural nature reserve! To help,<br />
other researchers are already<br />
preparing papers on the unique<br />
climate, geology <strong>and</strong> environment<br />
of Madagascar. Just in time, as we<br />
tend to lose the forests quickly in<br />
the current political climate.<br />
Ninety per cent of the animals<br />
here are found nowhere else, as<br />
you can tell when our stories on<br />
Madagascar never fail to amaze<br />
our staff, let alone the readers.<br />
Large geckos have been<br />
our stock-in-trade elsewhere<br />
recently, while 50% of chameleon<br />
species live here, feeding sometimes<br />
on tiny iridescent frogs<br />
<strong>and</strong> reducing their own size to<br />
miniscule too.<br />
The isl<strong>and</strong> situation largely<br />
helped the survival of endemic<br />
species by remaining stable<br />
throughout thous<strong>and</strong>s of years<br />
<strong>and</strong> more. Now, global warming<br />
has shifted the goalposts for<br />
theses rare animals <strong>and</strong> plants.<br />
Instead of useful models, science<br />
The corals of Hawaii,<br />
specifically in<br />
Papahanaumokuakea<br />
Marine National Monument,<br />
represent the great majority<br />
of coral with US jurisdiction.<br />
They are represented largely<br />
by Porites, mainly P. lobata<br />
<strong>and</strong> P. Kompressa.<br />
Montipora <strong>and</strong> Pocillopora<br />
species make up most of<br />
the other dominants on the<br />
reefs. The loss of many corals<br />
in the Pacific Ocean this<br />
summer, due to warm sea<br />
surface temperatures, is a<br />
potential disaster. Recovery<br />
is vital. The previous loss<br />
of Caribbean corals, <strong>and</strong> of<br />
course the multiple species<br />
of animal <strong>and</strong> plant that<br />
need the coral, are explained<br />
in this article: Coral Cover’s<br />
Deadly Decline.<br />
Oahu has been badly hit<br />
at numerous points, while,<br />
even 1000 miles northwest,<br />
mass bleaching has occurred<br />
at Lisianski atoll, with lesser<br />
events at Midway, Pearl <strong>and</strong><br />
Hermes atolls. Courtney<br />
Crouch is a researcher at<br />
Hawaii Institute of Marine<br />
Biology, so when she calls the<br />
situation dire, it’s probably<br />
true! 35% of the sites have<br />
been bleached.<br />
The cause of bleaching<br />
has to struggle with the niches<br />
of each individual species to<br />
investigate how best to preserve<br />
both the habitat <strong>and</strong> their whole<br />
environment in the cause of<br />
conservation. Without these<br />
creatures of the big isl<strong>and</strong>, our<br />
hopes of maintaining the whole<br />
planet become lower <strong>and</strong> lower.<br />
We plunder scientific papers<br />
on Madagascar almost daily, but<br />
we find gems such as the tiny<br />
chameleons (world’s smallest<br />
is accepted nowadays as<br />
being thermal <strong>and</strong> this was<br />
the warmest summer for 50<br />
years. The algal symbionts<br />
within coral are lost after 8<br />
weeks of high-temperatureinduced<br />
stress but can<br />
return if the bleaching<br />
doesn’t continue too long.<br />
Unfortunately, it will be<br />
October before temperatures<br />
lower, so more profound<br />
deterioration is possible.<br />
El Nino is held responsible,<br />
moving the warm water<br />
north as the summer<br />
progresses.<br />
The last time this<br />
happened was in 2002 <strong>and</strong><br />
2004. Last week, along the<br />
windward coasts of Oahu, the<br />
Hawaii Department of L<strong>and</strong><br />
Resources rapid response<br />
team examined the damage.<br />
Among them administrator<br />
Frazer McGilvray reported<br />
the corals as appearing, snow<br />
white.<br />
This entails a moderate<br />
to severe bleaching event,<br />
needing careful monitoring<br />
<strong>and</strong> avoidance of the corals<br />
by ocean users such as<br />
divers. Photographs will be<br />
needed though, to keep the<br />
authorities up-to-date with<br />
the situation, day to day. –<br />
www.earthtimes.org<br />
reptile) on tiny isl<strong>and</strong>s in the<br />
north: “Miniature chameleon<br />
discovered in Madagascar”. This<br />
new paper reveals much more<br />
on these amazing reptiles <strong>and</strong><br />
others thanks to the author’s<br />
hard work, published in Nature<br />
Communications <strong>and</strong> entitled<br />
“A necessarily complex model<br />
to explain the biogeography of<br />
the amphibians <strong>and</strong> reptiles of<br />
Madagascar”. – www.earthtimes.<br />
org<br />
green+.2014, november-december 65
ENERGY<br />
Hydropower means<br />
a lot worldwide<br />
Twenty per cent of global electricity has been made by<br />
using renewable sources this year<br />
The present boom<br />
in making electricity<br />
from hydroelectric<br />
sources pays no heed<br />
to some political considerations,<br />
but helps the trend<br />
continue towards renewable<br />
energy. Dams grow everywhere<br />
possible in developing countries<br />
<strong>and</strong> emerging economies,<br />
while construction companies<br />
are delighted to do the work.<br />
Apart from the national rivalries<br />
exposed by this loss of water,<br />
rivers have a lot to lose (about<br />
20% of large free-flowing rivers<br />
currently extant) in terms of<br />
biodiversity.<br />
The University of Copenhagen<br />
recently closed its conference<br />
on Global Challenges:<br />
Achieving Sustainability. This<br />
commendable confab is also<br />
setting up a novel Biofresh<br />
DataPortal. Massive support for<br />
indices of species <strong>and</strong> observation<br />
of the states of hydrology<br />
worldwide will be provided.<br />
The news of doubling hydropower<br />
is the door into a new era<br />
for dams. Professor Christiane<br />
Zarfl of the University of Tübingen<br />
studied the hydropower boom at<br />
the Leibnitz Institute in Berlin <strong>and</strong><br />
produced a database. We have<br />
compiled available data on future<br />
expected hydropower dams - to<br />
form a key foundation for evaluating<br />
where <strong>and</strong> how to build the<br />
dams <strong>and</strong> how to operate them<br />
sustainably, she reports at the<br />
congress.<br />
Twenty per cent of global electricity<br />
has been made by using<br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
renewable sources this year. 80%<br />
of that is hydropower, with 3,700<br />
new dams about to add to that,<br />
making a total of 1,700GW available<br />
from this renewable! China,<br />
with its disputed giant Yangzi<br />
dams <strong>and</strong> many others will still<br />
be the leader of this water race.<br />
Meanwhile their dominance<br />
will be challenged by Amazon <strong>and</strong><br />
La Plata projects in South America<br />
<strong>and</strong> Ganges-Brahmaputra dams<br />
in India <strong>and</strong> Nepal. Here is the<br />
story of the enormous DRC dam<br />
plan for the great Congo in Africa.<br />
The river dolphins, the migratory<br />
fish, the rare amphibian <strong>and</strong><br />
even reptiles such as turtles will<br />
be joined by countless insect<br />
species, vital to the ecosystems<br />
of rivers, who will become threatened<br />
by loss of flow. Plant species<br />
will be affected first, with the herbivores<br />
which devour them next.<br />
Specialised predators will<br />
probably disappear while those<br />
organisms requiring clean,<br />
oxygenated water will be disappearing.<br />
Prospects seem dim,<br />
but hopefully the embryonic<br />
database system will keep track<br />
better than previous attempts<br />
to map extinctions. Because it is<br />
extinction of whole river systems<br />
we are dealing with. The energy<br />
is needed, but the use of smaller<br />
dams may avoid nation fighting<br />
nation for the pure water, the<br />
power <strong>and</strong> the glory.– www.<br />
earthtimes.org<br />
Fracking still rears its ugly head<br />
Jerry Brown, the Californian<br />
Governor, is moving to halt<br />
wastewater dumping into<br />
the state’s aquifers from up<br />
to 30 injection wells. These<br />
fracking operations are not<br />
only using great amounts of<br />
drought-stricken California’s<br />
water, but carelessly dumping<br />
where freshwater aquifers<br />
have been contaminated.<br />
Further afield, the UK<br />
energy minister, Owen<br />
Paterson, has regularly<br />
pushed his right-wing party<br />
further in the fracking debate,<br />
without too much objection,<br />
from them at least. Desolate<br />
parts of the small country<br />
should be used for fracking,<br />
according to some in his<br />
party. The rest of the world,<br />
however is deeply concerned<br />
with this water pollution,<br />
mini-quakes <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> rights.<br />
We need an international<br />
approach to all fracking <strong>and</strong><br />
similar undermining of the<br />
need to escape from our fossil<br />
fuel addiction. While dinosaurs<br />
might have retained<br />
their opinions on how climate<br />
change would not affect<br />
them, thinking humans need<br />
to improve on our dismal<br />
record of air pollution. CO2<br />
alone has almost directly<br />
caused a temperature rise<br />
approaching 2oC. We have<br />
finally realised, apart from<br />
one or two politicians, many<br />
of the links this has with vast<br />
changes in our environment,<br />
both now <strong>and</strong> more so in the<br />
future.<br />
In the US fracking has<br />
long been acquiring a terrible<br />
reputation, which people like<br />
Patterson pretend to ignore.<br />
The great white hope for him<br />
is destined to become an<br />
even larger grey cloud. Highly<br />
pressurised water, s<strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> chemicals including the<br />
carcinogens benzene <strong>and</strong><br />
toluene are used <strong>and</strong> released<br />
in these hidden, but dirty,<br />
operations. The Central Valley<br />
Water Board in California has<br />
found half of its wells with<br />
excessive amounts of toxic<br />
chemicals. Some way has<br />
to be found there quickly to<br />
dispose of waste water in safe<br />
ways, well separated from<br />
natural aquifers.<br />
In the UK, the outgoing<br />
government seems desperate<br />
to copy some of Europe’s<br />
fossil fans, <strong>and</strong> the American<br />
dream of cheap fuels. The<br />
vigorous anti-fracking<br />
campaign has persuaded<br />
them that their opponents are<br />
exaggerating their argument.<br />
Take some bribe money from<br />
the frackers <strong>and</strong> enjoy the<br />
cheap energy seems to be<br />
their only argument!<br />
Perhaps the local Scottish<br />
example <strong>and</strong> the German<br />
<strong>and</strong> Italian non-renewable<br />
approach would appeal more<br />
to those voters who don’t<br />
seem to be particularly fond<br />
of people who also claim they<br />
have no rights to prevent<br />
fracking under their l<strong>and</strong>. If<br />
this government repeal the<br />
Climate Change Act of 2008,<br />
flouting the EU’s approach<br />
completely, perhaps that will<br />
be their last desperate act!<br />
Fracking seems bound<br />
to go on, but what a pity that<br />
people have to rediscover<br />
consequences that have been<br />
clearly shown in comparable<br />
situations for decades. Do<br />
they really believe that any<br />
fuel company is going to clean<br />
up, after all of the recorded<br />
quakes, contaminations <strong>and</strong><br />
spills? – www.earthtimes.org<br />
66<br />
november-december, green+.2014
CLIMATE<br />
If you can’t<br />
st<strong>and</strong> the heat...<br />
Warm water now storing heat below the surface is liable<br />
to cause future atmospheric temperatures to rocket<br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
Our climate<br />
change is<br />
related to deep<br />
ocean currents<br />
<strong>and</strong> glaciations<br />
The days when the flap of butterflies’ wings were theorised to cause potential storms across<br />
the earth are not over. But instead of chaos theory, we now have real storms caused by outdated<br />
technologies that pollute <strong>and</strong> then warm the whole planet<br />
The top 10 normally<br />
refers to<br />
something popular,<br />
pleasant<br />
or in some way<br />
profitable. This time it’s the<br />
bad news. Since this millennium<br />
started, we have now<br />
had the 10 hottest years.<br />
Only four have failed to<br />
breach the records. Carbon<br />
dioxide concentrations naturally<br />
rose to the highest in<br />
the last 30 years in 2013, too.<br />
NOAA has recorded these<br />
facts for us, with politics <strong>and</strong><br />
economists finally turning<br />
to the warm side as well.<br />
With those CO2 figures,<br />
we are due for a century or<br />
two of continued warming.<br />
The struggle will be to<br />
contain that temperature to<br />
a 2oC. rise. Politically, those<br />
who thought previously we<br />
could manage our emissions<br />
regarded that aim as<br />
achievable. Now it is very<br />
unlikely.<br />
Warming oceans have,<br />
hidden depths, if you like.<br />
The warm water now<br />
storing heat below the<br />
surface waters is liable to<br />
cause future atmospheric<br />
temperatures to rocket.<br />
With Australia’s day<br />
temperatures breaking<br />
their records <strong>and</strong> the UK<br />
with a hottest September,<br />
only 1976 st<strong>and</strong>s out with a<br />
below 20th century average<br />
temperature over the<br />
whole globe. There was a<br />
cold winter last year, but<br />
only in the US (the eastern<br />
bit.)<br />
The final months of this<br />
year are not included in<br />
NOAAs annual Septemberfest<br />
of world climate figures.<br />
The awful truth is that 2014<br />
will almost certainly set an<br />
annual record for heat. Of 9<br />
months so far, 4 have been<br />
record breakers with most<br />
others contributing to the<br />
prospect for record warmth.<br />
Ocean temperatures<br />
can’t change quickly,<br />
leaving us to finish off the<br />
year in literally hot water!<br />
Last year’s report is also<br />
interesting, to compare the<br />
approaches in “Remember<br />
November”. Politicians <strong>and</strong><br />
decision makers should pay<br />
much more attention this<br />
time around.<br />
The El Niño Southern<br />
Oscillation is set to bring us<br />
that awesome harbinger of<br />
disaster, with estimates of<br />
a 60% chance of its warming<br />
presence by December<br />
this year. That means the<br />
intense flooding in Jammu<br />
<strong>and</strong> Kashmir <strong>and</strong> the terrible<br />
loss of Arctic ice (not as<br />
in the Antarctic) will simply<br />
be symptoms of worse to<br />
come. The droughts <strong>and</strong><br />
flood, ice loss <strong>and</strong> giant<br />
cyclones (hurricanes) will<br />
be with us for a long time,<br />
<strong>and</strong> with a vengeance. –<br />
www.earthtimes.org<br />
The mapping of currents deep in the oceans<br />
has been a protracted study. A combination<br />
of deep ocean sediment core samples <strong>and</strong><br />
NASA imaging now reveal that climate<br />
change is affected at least as much by the<br />
sea as by the air temperature. Rutgers<br />
University academics Stella Woodard, Yair<br />
Rosenthal, Kenneth Miller, James Wright,<br />
with Kira Lawrence (Lafayette College) <strong>and</strong><br />
Beverly Chiu, all contributed to the paper in<br />
the journal Science that puts a new perspective<br />
on climate change.<br />
We recently looked at Atlantic/Pacific<br />
deep ocean current links in Ocean temperature<br />
alarm call. The amount of greenhouse<br />
gases in circulation within our oceans has<br />
also possibly been underestimated. As the<br />
earth has cooled over the last 2.7 million<br />
years <strong>and</strong> continental ice has built up, ocean<br />
circulation changed to that we saw in the<br />
previous paper.<br />
The cause could have been the major<br />
expansion in northern hemisphere glacier<br />
volume, associated with falls in sea level.<br />
Heat <strong>and</strong> CO2 began then to be pulled into<br />
the Atlantic <strong>and</strong> moved from north to south<br />
before being conveyed to the Pacific <strong>and</strong><br />
released. Antarctic ice would have played<br />
a role too, cutting off heat exchange at the<br />
surface there, <strong>and</strong> forcing heat energy to the<br />
depths.<br />
And the effects of carbon dioxide? Well, 3<br />
million years ago, in the late Pliocene, we had<br />
similar levels of the gas in the atmosphere,<br />
with higher temperatures (around 2.3oC.), so<br />
there is a possibility we could assume those<br />
ancient oceanic <strong>and</strong> atmospheric conditions<br />
again. Phew!<br />
Global climate change was not caused<br />
then by carbon dioxide levels rising,<br />
so the ice changes explain the cooling<br />
instead. That modern circulation in the<br />
oceanic deeps is revealed in sediment core<br />
samples up to 3.3 million years old. Prof. Yair<br />
Rosenthal has the last word on that with his<br />
summary here.<br />
“Our study suggests that changes in<br />
the storage of heat in the deep ocean could<br />
be as important to climate change as other<br />
hypotheses - tectonic activity or a drop<br />
in the carbon dioxide level - <strong>and</strong> likely led<br />
to one of the major climate transitions of<br />
the past 30 million years,” he said. – www.<br />
earthtimes.org<br />
green+.2014, november-december 67
SCITECH<br />
The ancients are always a<br />
puzzle, whether colonising<br />
Europe or even when<br />
they left Africa <strong>and</strong> bred with<br />
Ne<strong>and</strong>erthals. See the latest<br />
DNA evidence from a Siberian femur<br />
for that one! The genetic reason for this<br />
European success is now becoming<br />
more evident. The colonists developed<br />
advantageous genes, combined with<br />
several other factors based on their<br />
technologies.<br />
The Hungarian Plain has always been<br />
at the centre of European invasions. The<br />
study concerned here used samples of<br />
DNA from skulls dated 5,700 to 800BC.<br />
The late Neolithic led there into the<br />
Copper Age Baden Culture, the early<br />
Bronze Age <strong>and</strong> the early Iron Age as<br />
the Near East, the steppes <strong>and</strong> Central<br />
Europe all swapped technologies.<br />
The Hallstatt Culture began there, in<br />
Transdanubia, with the fabled Scythians<br />
further east on the fertile plain.<br />
Did the invasions bring new people,<br />
or just a few with the requisite technology?<br />
Agriculture provides the answer<br />
here, if we twist around the evidence<br />
to include knowledge of the genomes.<br />
Evidence of Mesolithic hunter gatherers,<br />
like them is scattered here <strong>and</strong> there,<br />
apart from northern Hungary <strong>and</strong> also<br />
to the north. We want to know if these<br />
early settlers intermarried with the<br />
farmers appearing from the south <strong>and</strong><br />
the east.<br />
Genome results show that Neolithic<br />
people has southern Mediterranean,<br />
mainly Sardinian affinities, as has been<br />
found before. Local male hunter gatherers<br />
became incorporated into farming<br />
Our ancient ancestors<br />
couldn’t digest milk<br />
Other genes were found relevant to population changes<br />
communities, but in the 3rd millennium<br />
BC, the Bronze Age must have been<br />
revolutionary. Trade increased <strong>and</strong><br />
heavily fortified settlements grew in<br />
Carpathia <strong>and</strong> its mountain passes.<br />
Only one Iron Age sample was taken<br />
from the Mezőcsát Culture (possibly<br />
pre-Scythian in 830-980 BC.) Asian<br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
influence is obvious here, probably from<br />
the steppes. Technology then involved<br />
horse domestication, carts, chariots<br />
<strong>and</strong> the obvious metallurgies. Today’s<br />
Hungarians have more western genome<br />
affinities, presumable due to mixing of<br />
European populations since then.<br />
The real excitement of this mixture<br />
Birds run carefully in the rough<br />
Placing feet in the right place<br />
concerns robots <strong>and</strong> runners,<br />
<strong>and</strong> almost all bipeds <strong>and</strong><br />
tetrapods. Here is an article<br />
of interest to in Runners. The<br />
UKs Royal Veterinary College<br />
(<strong>and</strong> Oregon State University)<br />
have often studied small<br />
crouching creatures <strong>and</strong> large<br />
upright birds such as ostrich.<br />
The mass of these birds ranges<br />
from 0.2kg to 117kg, so the<br />
strategy for movement could<br />
be extremely varied.<br />
Aleks<strong>and</strong>ra Birn-Jeffrey,<br />
Monica Daley <strong>and</strong> 4 colleagues<br />
published their findings in the<br />
science journal JEB as Don’t<br />
break a leg: running birds<br />
from quail to ostrich prioritise<br />
leg safety <strong>and</strong> economy on<br />
uneven terrain. Being bipedal,<br />
stability of the body seemed<br />
likely to be a priority, but the<br />
maintenance of consistent<br />
forces from the running<br />
legs was found to be more<br />
important. <strong>Eco</strong>nomy in terms<br />
of energy expended <strong>and</strong> the<br />
safety of the legs turned out<br />
to be major results of that<br />
consistent running mode, no<br />
matter how uneven the ground<br />
was.<br />
When birds first flew,<br />
it would have given them<br />
ecological advantages. If<br />
take-off speed was a precursor,<br />
however, then running in<br />
a stable manner could have<br />
influenced avian evolution too.<br />
The stability of the animal does<br />
seem to be a control priority for<br />
many species.<br />
As all birds are dynamically<br />
similar as they approach a step<br />
obstacle (from 0.1 to 0.5 times<br />
their leg length), the leap they<br />
make onto the object seems<br />
to be followed by a crouch that<br />
keeps them stable there. The<br />
forces exerted in the procedure<br />
showed up how they negotiated<br />
the steps. They all jump off<br />
with extended legs.<br />
Some ostriches used in<br />
the experimental work had to<br />
be reared from chicks for two<br />
years, so that their imprinting<br />
on humans could be used to<br />
decrease any aggression <strong>and</strong><br />
enable h<strong>and</strong>ling. These big<br />
guys were expected to vault<br />
upward <strong>and</strong> then immediately<br />
step down, but every bird<br />
performed the basic crouch on<br />
top of the step.<br />
With an Oregon University<br />
computer model, the runners<br />
could be modelled exactly.<br />
They discovered two alternative<br />
task level priorities. The<br />
68<br />
november-december, green+.2014
SCITECH<br />
of history <strong>and</strong> genetics lies in<br />
these rare (<strong>and</strong> expensive)<br />
sources of endogenous DNA in<br />
certain skulls. Unfortunately,<br />
with the increasing prevalence<br />
of dairy products <strong>and</strong><br />
milk from various animals,<br />
lactose intolerance remained.<br />
The lactose persistence<br />
allele is found only after the<br />
Neolithic/Copper Age <strong>and</strong> the<br />
late Bronze Age samples are<br />
the first found, around 1,000<br />
BC. Oetzi the Ice Man, who we<br />
have written about before in<br />
Oetzi, was lactose intolerant,<br />
<strong>and</strong> was alive during the<br />
Tyrolean Copper age.<br />
Other genes were found<br />
relevant to population<br />
changes. The transition to<br />
the lighter pigmentation of<br />
modern Europeans is indicated<br />
but periods of genetic<br />
stability show up the changes<br />
that occurred at the advent of<br />
the Neolithic, Bronze <strong>and</strong> Iron<br />
technologies.<br />
Cristina Gamba <strong>and</strong> Ron<br />
Pinhasi of University College<br />
Dublin <strong>and</strong> numerous colleagues<br />
from Trinity College,<br />
the Universities of Potsdam,<br />
Cardiff, <strong>and</strong> Oxford <strong>and</strong><br />
several Hungarian museums<br />
produced these spectacular<br />
results in - Genome flux<br />
<strong>and</strong> stasis in a five millennium<br />
transect of European<br />
prehistory. – www.earthtimes.org<br />
prioritisation of stability<br />
<strong>and</strong> returning to the<br />
steady gait required for<br />
running was one. The<br />
other involved minimising<br />
the costs to the bird<br />
in energy exertion. The<br />
model simulated the<br />
cautious responses of<br />
all of the birds if the leg<br />
posture was carefully<br />
controlled to avoid the leg<br />
being overloaded.<br />
Next, a very stable,<br />
bipedal robotic ostrich<br />
which we will all find very<br />
useful for ---? – www.<br />
earthtimes.org<br />
Forest loss in NZ reveals<br />
fire prevention ploys<br />
L<strong>and</strong> use has shifted recently to accommodate frequent large fires<br />
Our NZ cousins,<br />
the Maoris, l<strong>and</strong>ed<br />
750 years ago <strong>and</strong><br />
did what humans<br />
always do. They<br />
trashed the forest. Considering<br />
what the British did later,<br />
with sheep, stoats <strong>and</strong> cats,<br />
the damage was less, but still<br />
destroyed many species of flora<br />
<strong>and</strong> fauna, leaving half of the<br />
13th century native forest for the<br />
later colonisers to destroy in the<br />
18th century. This would have<br />
been evergreen closed-canopy<br />
broadleaf forest dominated by<br />
podocarps.<br />
The Initial Burning Period<br />
of the Maoris can be checked<br />
in pollen <strong>and</strong> charcoal remains<br />
<strong>and</strong> found to have taken place<br />
in mere decades. One vulnerable<br />
site was found that was dry<br />
while a wetter site was thought<br />
to be less liable to be affected.<br />
David B McWethy with others<br />
from Montana State University<br />
joined with several colleagues<br />
from New Zeal<strong>and</strong>’s L<strong>and</strong>care<br />
Research, <strong>and</strong> the University<br />
of Auckl<strong>and</strong> to investigate this<br />
unique example of anthropogenic<br />
colonisation effect.<br />
They publish their paper as- A<br />
High-Resolution Chronology of<br />
Rapid Forest Transitions following<br />
Polynesian Arrival in New<br />
Zeal<strong>and</strong>.<br />
The particular interest is in<br />
how small groups of transient<br />
humans can be so effective in<br />
this environment that is made<br />
so vulnerable to fire. Part of the<br />
answer seems to have been the<br />
fire-prone open shrubl<strong>and</strong> vegetation<br />
appeared in place of the<br />
ancient podocarp forest, just as<br />
it appears in some present-day<br />
deforestation situations.<br />
L<strong>and</strong> use has shifted recently<br />
to accommodate frequent large<br />
fires. To fight this regular <strong>and</strong><br />
very wide occurrence, study of<br />
forest loss could lead to solutions<br />
involving a negative feedback to<br />
fire disturbance. We know that<br />
scrub, grassl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> shrubby<br />
vegetation encourages fire. The<br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
In Whanganui National Park,<br />
thous<strong>and</strong>s of endangered<br />
brown kiwi (here) <strong>and</strong> blue duck<br />
survive in the ancient podocarp<br />
forests, this time in North Isl<strong>and</strong><br />
encouragement of resistance<br />
to fire would save lives, livings,<br />
habitat <strong>and</strong> ancient woods.<br />
The 3 hectare Lake<br />
Kirkpatrick (dry, lowl<strong>and</strong>) <strong>and</strong><br />
1.5 hectare Dukes Tarn (wetter,<br />
high elevation) in South Isl<strong>and</strong><br />
represent two vulnerabilities<br />
to fire. AMS (accelerated mass<br />
spectrometry) results from the<br />
sites were able to give accurate<br />
radiocarbon dates from the<br />
lake sediment cores. Twentytwo<br />
dates were obtained from<br />
the 2 sites, using invaluable<br />
charcoal <strong>and</strong> terrestrial plant<br />
macrofossils.<br />
Lake Kirkpatrick still has<br />
some st<strong>and</strong>s of native silver<br />
beech while the Tarn has<br />
patches of black beech. The first<br />
human-set fires rapidly created<br />
forest transitions. It took only 17<br />
years at Lake Kirkpatrick <strong>and</strong> 48<br />
years at the Tarn for a significant<br />
decline in native plants to take<br />
place. Every 50-100 years after<br />
that, more fires devastated the<br />
flora until 1600, when the activity<br />
decreased.<br />
Southern beech, Nothofagus<br />
menziessi, Prumnopitys <strong>and</strong><br />
podocarps declined from 99% to<br />
47% of the pollen at the first fires,<br />
with ferns <strong>and</strong> grasses increasing,<br />
then decreasing around<br />
1642. There was some variability<br />
before 1792, after which native<br />
trees pollen reduced to
POLITICS<br />
Climate: What does the UN want?<br />
Severe irreversible effects must be managed with stringent mitigation activities<br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
If the UN is that single plant<br />
struggling to survive, then the Asian<br />
rainforest here represents how we<br />
have desolated the earth with our<br />
emissions <strong>and</strong> exploitation. Sustaining<br />
that plant will need resources placed<br />
in the h<strong>and</strong>s of new technologies <strong>and</strong><br />
developing nations, with fossil fuels<br />
removed from the great industrialists.<br />
Their own resources must also be<br />
used for cooperative <strong>and</strong> sustainable<br />
developments<br />
It is difficult to juggle every report<br />
<strong>and</strong> come to conclusions about<br />
exactly what needs to change<br />
<strong>and</strong> who on earth will be willing<br />
to change their levels of emission.<br />
Climate change has almost run its full<br />
cycle in people’s minds from incredulity<br />
to tacit acceptance. The final step<br />
is the most difficult. Everybody must<br />
agree on certain steps that will result in<br />
high initial costs <strong>and</strong> create new political<br />
problems.<br />
Ready for Paris 2015, Ban Ki-moon<br />
has broken off his regular commenting<br />
on various more local problems <strong>and</strong><br />
concentrated on Synthesis Report 5..<br />
The IPCC livened up late last year with<br />
their, coalition of ambition, in - COP 19<br />
Warsaw’s COP19. Now they look likely to<br />
continue with a 6th IPCC Report, despite<br />
objections from some sources. Now their<br />
key findings reveal huge concern that<br />
human influence on climate systems<br />
has increasing impact on every single<br />
continent. The severe irreversible effects<br />
must be managed with stringent mitigation<br />
activities.<br />
The IPCC 5th Assessment Report<br />
is condensed into this report, after<br />
their scientific <strong>and</strong> necessarily vast<br />
assessment of climate change. It is obvious<br />
that the biggest report ever does not<br />
cause movement in itself, but the IPCC<br />
Chair, R. K. Pachauri, believes, we have<br />
the means to limit climate change.<br />
Combine that hope with people’s<br />
opinions that we must do something to<br />
prevent any further effects of climate<br />
change <strong>and</strong> there is a possibility of<br />
political change. In the background is<br />
the growing extent of greenhouse emissions<br />
that must now be reduced. From<br />
2000 to 2010, they were at their greatest<br />
extent known.<br />
We tend to agree now that greenhouse<br />
gases are predominantly the<br />
cause of our observed warming. With<br />
the criminal emissions of large countries<br />
such as the US <strong>and</strong> China, the warming<br />
looks set to go on. Developing countries<br />
have special restrictions on energy use<br />
because they have few alternatives <strong>and</strong><br />
are given more time to remove fossil<br />
fuels from their energy portfolios.<br />
Many in fact find solar energy<br />
especially a method by which they can<br />
progress. In less sunny climes, there<br />
are other future options or which we<br />
all need to give international help. Mr<br />
Pachauri in fact states that, “many<br />
of those most vulnerable to climate<br />
change have contributed <strong>and</strong> contribute<br />
little to greenhouse gas emissions”.<br />
The days of independence in individual<br />
<strong>and</strong> even national action are<br />
likely to be over. As ever, international<br />
cooperation has been unpopular in<br />
many quarters but it is the only possible<br />
solution to this awesome problem.<br />
Mitigation measures are claimed to limit<br />
global warming to less than 2oC.<br />
The end of the century should have<br />
more or less zero emissions of any<br />
greenhouse gas. To make this happen,<br />
societal change will be necessary in<br />
conjunction with new technologies.<br />
City transport systems already seem<br />
to be heading in that direction, where<br />
personal transport, is prohibitive <strong>and</strong><br />
often impossible (without the familiar<br />
pedal-power).<br />
It would also be wrong to deny the<br />
destruction wrought on the l<strong>and</strong> by<br />
many industrial style agricultural<br />
<strong>and</strong> exploitation operations. Their<br />
emissions <strong>and</strong> contributions to the<br />
release of carbon from these precious<br />
environments have become obsolete<br />
in the world we need to rebuild. – www.<br />
earthtimes.org<br />
70<br />
november-december, green+.2014
POLITICS<br />
Credit: © Shutterstock<br />
Future for Aral Sea<br />
hopefully assured<br />
Still extremely unlikely dead sea will ever resume its<br />
former glory<br />
It is extremely unlikely that the<br />
dead Aral Sea will ever resume its<br />
former glory. The governments of<br />
Uzbekistan <strong>and</strong> Kazakhstan in particular<br />
have tried to recreate lakes<br />
<strong>and</strong> some of the lost water supply. The<br />
result has so far been disappointing,<br />
but this large body of water was not just<br />
about extinct fish <strong>and</strong> ecology.<br />
It also fed the economic needs of<br />
local populations <strong>and</strong> created a health<br />
headache when poisonous dust plumed<br />
up <strong>and</strong> circulated far <strong>and</strong> wide in the<br />
atmosphere from the dead sea-bed.<br />
The toxins are varied but dioxins were<br />
responsible for a host of maternal <strong>and</strong><br />
child health problems. Fortunately they<br />
should have decayed chemically by<br />
now.<br />
The health problems remain however,<br />
as the affected individuals still<br />
suffer the consequences. We have been<br />
covering the Aral Sea closely <strong>and</strong> very<br />
recently looked at the conferences<br />
ecological perspectives.<br />
The Urgench conference last<br />
week was very successful, with wise<br />
investment in projects that stretched<br />
from the essential <strong>and</strong> expensive health<br />
programmes to true ecological afforestations<br />
<strong>and</strong> more examples of local<br />
damming for lake creation. The ultimate<br />
problem is water supply, as global<br />
warming creates even hotter <strong>and</strong> drier<br />
conditions throughout the Aralkum <strong>and</strong><br />
neighbouring Karalkum desert.<br />
How the rivers can be reincarnated<br />
to their former flow rates is debateable.<br />
The Amu Darya in particular is<br />
still diverted too often for the lucrative<br />
cotton crop. In the head waters, the<br />
luxury of persuading more water to<br />
descend is complicated by the needs of<br />
neighbouring Tajikistan.<br />
The 3rd programme of the IFAS<br />
(International Fund for Saving the Aral<br />
Sea) organisation had $2 billion dollars<br />
to spend but further necessary work on<br />
these multiple problems was supported<br />
by a large <strong>and</strong> ongoing Turkish aid<br />
programme in agricultural education,<br />
irrigation <strong>and</strong> forestry.<br />
Japan is also extraordinarily generous<br />
with a magnificent $3.6billion aid<br />
The great<br />
jerboa,<br />
Allactaga major,<br />
is a typical<br />
inhabitant of<br />
the Aral region,<br />
important in<br />
the predation<br />
of insects <strong>and</strong><br />
as prey for the<br />
little owl <strong>and</strong><br />
many others<br />
programme to the 5 Central Asian<br />
nations so far distributed. With Latvia<br />
currently presiding over the EU, their<br />
report was almost as generous, as 160<br />
million will be exclusively available to<br />
Uzbekistan between 2014 <strong>and</strong> 2020.<br />
Such monies will be dedicated to water<br />
<strong>and</strong> waste issues, with private companies<br />
already signed up to deliver the<br />
much needed help.<br />
In cooperation with UNDP, German<br />
Federal Government help has always<br />
been forthcoming too, with GIZ supporting<br />
water resources management,<br />
combating desertification <strong>and</strong> creating<br />
an environment favourable for the<br />
growth of small business <strong>and</strong> vocational<br />
training.<br />
Many types of funding from<br />
banks such as the Islamic Bank,<br />
UNEP <strong>and</strong> UNESCO stem from their<br />
officials based in Tashkent. The Danish<br />
Secretary General of the UNECE<br />
(<strong>Eco</strong>nomic Commission for Europe),<br />
Friis Bach, was present to give his<br />
account of how aid was contributing<br />
to afforestation projects through the<br />
guidance of IFAS.<br />
The increasing threat from climate<br />
change was integral to his speech.<br />
This is possibly the greatest problem,<br />
as we try to conserve more water with<br />
modern irrigation techniques. The<br />
insufferable summer heat in the future<br />
will evaporate even more of the water<br />
needed despite efforts to improve<br />
the Aral Sea’s economy, ecology <strong>and</strong><br />
health. – www.earthtimes.org<br />
green+.2014, november-december 71
Passion for responsible business... Your Global Partner<br />
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green+.2014, november-december 73
pictorial<br />
2014 SIRIM<br />
Industrial Night<br />
green+.2014, november-december 75
ENVIRONMENT<br />
MSPC’s interaction at Lake Club<br />
Key mission to provide platform <strong>and</strong> focal points for services providers<br />
By Alex<strong>and</strong>er Lee<br />
ON Nov 22. Choo Kok Beng,<br />
the President of MSPC ,<br />
who is also the Founding<br />
Fellow of the Asean<br />
Academy of Engineering &<br />
Technology(AAET), held a gathering to<br />
recognise its members with an acceptance<br />
certification presentation at the<br />
Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur.<br />
The meeting began with the president<br />
presenting the key objectives, key<br />
missions <strong>and</strong> visions including events<br />
<strong>and</strong> contributions from their members<br />
<strong>and</strong> elaborated on the services industry<br />
scenario.<br />
It was followed with introducing <strong>and</strong><br />
networking with members, recognition<br />
with the committees <strong>and</strong> a good lunch.<br />
The other significant participants<br />
were Shaifubahrim Saleh, immediate<br />
past president of MSPC, <strong>and</strong> Adviser of<br />
PIKOM, The National ICT Association of<br />
Malaysia, Ar. Amzar Ahmad, Malaysian<br />
Institute of Architects, Datuk Sr. Zakaria<br />
Hashim, past President, MSPC & Council<br />
Member of NAPSEC, Matrade, Dato’ Abd<br />
Radzak Abd Malek, National President,<br />
The Chartered Institute of Logistics <strong>and</strong><br />
Transport, Sr Hassan Jamil, President of<br />
Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia,<br />
Datuk Dr. Arumugam, President of<br />
Malaysian Mediacal Association, Ir.<br />
KC Yong, National Vice President,<br />
Australian & New Zeal<strong>and</strong> Graduates<br />
Association in Malaysia <strong>and</strong> Ir. Dr.<br />
Ooi Teik Aun, Director of IEM Training<br />
Centre.<br />
The key mission of MSPC is to<br />
provide a platform <strong>and</strong> focal point<br />
for services providers to formulate<br />
common strategies, make recommendations<br />
<strong>and</strong> submit relevant material of<br />
concerns <strong>and</strong> proactive suggestions to<br />
the government.<br />
Their mission is to promote <strong>and</strong> contribute<br />
towards the development of a<br />
more efficient <strong>and</strong> service <strong>friendly</strong> environment.<br />
On top of that the committee<br />
<strong>and</strong> members will assist in facilitating<br />
bilateral, regional <strong>and</strong> multilateral<br />
framework for trade <strong>and</strong> services.<br />
Through MSPC, it is envisage that<br />
with their networking strength it shall<br />
be a formidable establishment to foster<br />
business links <strong>and</strong> services opportunities<br />
with counterpart organizations at<br />
local, regional <strong>and</strong> global levels. This<br />
would be especially true in 2015 with<br />
Malaysia holding the helm as chair of<br />
the Asean <strong>Eco</strong>nomic Community that<br />
Seated L-R: Dato’ Abd Radzak Abd Malek, Ar. Amzar Ahmad, Datuk Sr. Hj Zakaria Hashim, Ir Choo Kok<br />
Beng, Ir. KC Yong, Datuk Dr. Arumugam, YM Ungku Anna Mohammed <strong>and</strong> Shaifubahrim Mohd Saleh.<br />
Back Row L-R: M. Venkatash, Ir. Dr. Ooi Teik Aun, Sr Hassan Jamil, Ms Shelly Shen <strong>and</strong> Louis Tay CS.<br />
Sr Hasan Jamil, President of Royal Institution of Surveyors<br />
receiving the Membership Recognition Certificate.<br />
involves a total population of 650 million<br />
people in Asean.<br />
The government had announced in<br />
budget 2015 a commitment to implement<br />
initiatives for the services sector<br />
as it aims to achieve 60% of GDP in the<br />
services sector by 2020. It is timely for<br />
the government to be implementing the<br />
services sector blueprint too. The initiatives<br />
announced were:<br />
Setting up a services sector guarantee<br />
scheme amounting to RM5 Billion<br />
for SMEs in the services sector<br />
Establish a research incentive<br />
scheme for enterprises with an allocation<br />
of RM10 million for high technology,<br />
ICT <strong>and</strong> knowledge-based industries.<br />
Reintroducing the Services Export<br />
Fund (SEF) totaling RM300 million to<br />
encourage SMEs to conduct market<br />
feasibility studies <strong>and</strong> undertake export<br />
promotion to penetrate new markets.<br />
It has been projected that by 2020<br />
at least 46% of jobs will require technical<br />
<strong>and</strong> vocational qualifications. An<br />
amount of RM1.2 billion has been<br />
allocated for technical <strong>and</strong> vocational<br />
education.<br />
Further deduction on training<br />
expenses incurred by an employer for<br />
employees to obtain certificate qualifications<br />
from accredited vocational <strong>and</strong><br />
professional bodies.<br />
Also with several infrastructure<br />
projects to be implemented in 2015 for<br />
highways, expressways <strong>and</strong> LRTs etc<br />
the opportunities made available will<br />
be a boon for professionals in their<br />
specialist fields. 2015 will be a very<br />
potential year <strong>and</strong> MSPC encourages<br />
its members <strong>and</strong> all service provider<br />
to utilise its platform to widen their<br />
services <strong>and</strong> professional opportunities<br />
on both a local <strong>and</strong> global basis as the<br />
avenue is now made available with the<br />
added initiatives.<br />
MSPC Committee also encourage<br />
the members to apply for the APEC<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Travel Card (ABTC) as it is a<br />
special business travel privilege card<br />
that facilitate business mobility among<br />
the 19 of the 21 APEC member countries<br />
<strong>and</strong> economies in the Asia Pacific<br />
Region.<br />
ABTC enables card holders to enter<br />
<strong>and</strong> remain in for a period (depending<br />
on the economy) without separately<br />
applying for a visa <strong>and</strong> access to a fast<br />
track entrance <strong>and</strong> exit lane at major<br />
airports of participating economies. The<br />
card is valid for three years but all holders<br />
must always carry their passports<br />
when they travel.<br />
For more information please refer to<br />
the MSPC portal at www.mspc.my <strong>and</strong><br />
look for the ABTC service blog. .<br />
green+.2014, november-december 77
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<strong>Eco</strong>-Labelling
2014 IGEM<br />
Ir Ahmad Hadri Haris at the appreciation brunch.<br />
Roaring success<br />
IGEM 2014 also saw the signing of seven MOUs between<br />
<strong>Green</strong>Tech Malaysia <strong>and</strong> several key partners<br />
The 5th International<br />
<strong>Green</strong>tech & <strong>Eco</strong> Product<br />
Exhibition <strong>and</strong> Conference<br />
(IGEM), held recently at the<br />
Kuala Lumpur Convention<br />
Centre, achieved about RM2 billion<br />
worth of business leads, further solidifying<br />
IGEM’s position as the region’s<br />
latest green technology platform, invigorating<br />
the country’s green economy.<br />
Spearheaded by the Ministry<br />
of Energy, <strong>Green</strong> Technology <strong>and</strong><br />
Water (KeTTHA) <strong>and</strong> co-organised<br />
by Malaysian <strong>Green</strong> Technology<br />
Corporation (<strong>Green</strong>Tech Malaysia), the<br />
five-day event saw the participation<br />
of 357 exhibitors presenting products<br />
<strong>and</strong> services in 616 exhibition booths,<br />
with over 49,000 visitors from over 20<br />
countries.<br />
During an appreciation brunch held<br />
at Carcosa Seri Negara, <strong>Green</strong>Tech<br />
Malaysia Chief Executive Officer (CEO),<br />
Ir. Ahmad Hadri Haris said: “As the<br />
world’s battle with climate change<br />
intensifies, green technology is soon<br />
establishing itself as the critical catalyst<br />
for change in economies across the<br />
globe.<br />
“To thrive in the climate change era,<br />
businesses must evolve not only to<br />
save cost <strong>and</strong> reduce their impact on<br />
the environment, but also to meet the<br />
dem<strong>and</strong>s of increasingly discerning<br />
green conscious <strong>and</strong> knowledgeable<br />
consumers.<br />
“The world is indeed changing, <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Green</strong>Tech Malaysia together with<br />
KeTTHA have played a synergistic<br />
role in introducing new economic<br />
instruments, strengthening the<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing of green technology <strong>and</strong><br />
The electric<br />
vehicles waiting<br />
to be test<br />
driven.<br />
promoting foreign <strong>and</strong> domestic direct<br />
investments into the country.”<br />
Apart from the display of the latest<br />
green technology innovation <strong>and</strong><br />
solutions, IGEM 2014 also featured a<br />
series of concurrent events namely the<br />
IGEM Conference, Minister-Industry<br />
Dialogue, MATRADE International<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Matching, MIDA <strong>Business</strong><br />
Consultation <strong>and</strong> One-to-One Bizmatch<br />
Programme among others.<br />
Aptly themed Creating <strong>Green</strong><br />
Wealth, IGEM 2014 also saw the<br />
signing of seven Memor<strong>and</strong>um of<br />
Underst<strong>and</strong>ings (MOUs) between<br />
<strong>Green</strong>Tech Malaysia <strong>and</strong> several key<br />
partners namely the Department<br />
of St<strong>and</strong>ards Malaysia, Indah Water<br />
Konsortium Sdn Bhd, AMDAC (M)<br />
Sdn Bhd, First Energy Networks Sdn<br />
Bhd, <strong>Green</strong> Data Center LLP <strong>and</strong> Kloth<br />
Malaysia Sdn Bhd, to further drive the<br />
nation’s green agenda.<br />
“<strong>Green</strong>Tech Malaysia as the<br />
country’s lead agency tasked with promoting<br />
green technology will continue<br />
to work closely with all stakeholders<br />
to ensure a sustained environment<br />
conducive to adopting <strong>and</strong> applying<br />
green technology. As the industry is in<br />
its infancy in the country, the opportunities<br />
are vast <strong>and</strong> we are honored<br />
to be in a position to play our part to<br />
increase the availability, acceptance<br />
<strong>and</strong> adoption green technology,” Ir.<br />
Hadri concluded.<br />
As part of the appreciation session<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Green</strong>Tech Malaysia’s efforts in<br />
promoting sustainable transportation<br />
under its Electric Mobility Flagship<br />
project, the participants were also given<br />
first-h<strong>and</strong> experience to test drive<br />
electric vehicles such as the Nissan<br />
Leaf, Mitsubishi iMiev, Renault Zoe <strong>and</strong><br />
Renault Twizy.<br />
green+.2014, november-december 79
EVENTS<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Events Listing<br />
in Malaysia for 2015<br />
Water Malaysia 2015 International<br />
Exhibition <strong>and</strong> Conference 22-24<br />
April 2015 @ Kuala Lumpur<br />
Convention Centre, KL<br />
Water Malaysia (WM) 2015<br />
International Exhibition & Conference<br />
is the biennial event that encompasses<br />
all across the entire water cycle. Water<br />
resource management, irrigation <strong>and</strong><br />
drainage management, water supply,<br />
wastewater management, non-revenue<br />
water (NRW) management, <strong>and</strong> rainwater<br />
harvesting technologies are some of<br />
the areas covered in the event. Water<br />
Loss Asia (WLA) 2015 will be held concurrently.<br />
To address the severe water<br />
stress faced by the world, WM 2015 will<br />
also be promoting sustainability with<br />
the inclusion of Environment Asia 2015<br />
as the concurrent event.<br />
Local SMEs<br />
are beginning<br />
to address the<br />
increasing<br />
dem<strong>and</strong> for<br />
healthy <strong>and</strong><br />
natural food<br />
products.<br />
2014 BEX Asia<br />
been successfully held for 17 times(the<br />
first half year in Beijing, the second<br />
half year in Shanghai). Besides that,<br />
Shibowei Organic Expo is the only one<br />
Chinese Organic Expo got allowance by<br />
Chinese Commerce Ministry.<br />
Build <strong>Eco</strong> Xpo (BEX) Asia 2015 2-4<br />
September 2015 @ Marina Bay<br />
S<strong>and</strong>s Convention, Singapore,<br />
Singapore.<br />
Build <strong>Eco</strong> Xpo (BEX) Asia 2015 is<br />
the global business sourcing, networking<br />
<strong>and</strong> knowledge-sharing platform<br />
for the sustainable built environment<br />
in Southeast Asia. The event draws<br />
together international br<strong>and</strong>s of green<br />
building technologies <strong>and</strong> advancements,<br />
to the heart of the region’s<br />
community of architects, building<br />
owners, contractors, consultants, developers,<br />
facility managers <strong>and</strong> energy<br />
managers, for business opportunities<br />
<strong>and</strong> experiential engagement.<br />
Aquatech India 11-13 August 2015<br />
@ Pragati Maidan, New Delhi,<br />
India.<br />
Aquatech India displayes the latest<br />
products <strong>and</strong> innovations in process,<br />
drinking <strong>and</strong> waste water <strong>and</strong> is<br />
a one-of its-kind, international, high<br />
quality water technology event serving<br />
the complete Indian water sector.<br />
The exhibition features the best possible<br />
range of new <strong>and</strong> proven products<br />
on process, drinking <strong>and</strong> waste water.<br />
Renewable Energy Asia 2015<br />
June 10-13 2015 @ Bangkok<br />
International Trade & Exhibition<br />
Centre, Bangkok, Thail<strong>and</strong>.<br />
The show highlights Renewable<br />
Energy sources <strong>and</strong> the latest technology<br />
in this area. Wind & Solar Power<br />
are among the many systems & programs<br />
featured along with Thermal<br />
<strong>and</strong> Waste-to-energy, Hydo-powered<br />
programs, Bio-mass <strong>and</strong> other green<br />
technology also covered. Renewable<br />
Energy & Energy Efficiency Clinics<br />
staffed by experts are conducted at the<br />
show.<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Building & Retrofits Expo<br />
Asia 2015 16-18 Sept 2015 @<br />
IMPACT Exhibtion Centre, Hall 6,<br />
Bangkok, Thail<strong>and</strong>.<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Building & Retrofits Expo Asia<br />
2015 is the 5th international Exhibition<br />
& Conference on <strong>Green</strong> Building &<br />
Retrofits held in Thail<strong>and</strong> for the Asia<br />
Market. There will be showing case of<br />
new technology of products, services<br />
<strong>and</strong> solution for green building <strong>and</strong><br />
retrofits.<br />
Smart Energy Japan (ENEX) 2015<br />
28-30 January 2015 @ Tokyo Big<br />
Sight (East Exhibition Centre<br />
Japan) Tokyo, Japan.<br />
ENEX 2015 is an exhibition that brings<br />
together the latest information <strong>and</strong> tecnologies<br />
relating to smart energies all<br />
under one roof.<br />
Delegates at the 2014 International<br />
Symposium on <strong>Green</strong> Chemistry<br />
3rd International Symposium on<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Chemistry 3-7 May 2015 @<br />
La Rochelle, France.<br />
Organic <strong>Green</strong> Food Industry<br />
Expo 2015 - 18th Shibowei China<br />
(Beijing) 16-18 April @ China<br />
International Exhibition Centre,<br />
Beijing China.<br />
China International Organic <strong>Green</strong><br />
Food Expo is also the largest organic<br />
food industry Expo in Asia, which had<br />
ISGC-2015 will cover nine general<br />
topics related to 1. biomass conversion,<br />
2. clean hydrogen production, 3.<br />
alternative solvents, 4. waste, 5. polymers<br />
<strong>and</strong> materials, 6. atom-economy<br />
synthesis, 7. eco-technology, 8. predictive<br />
methods <strong>and</strong> 9. environmental<br />
<strong>and</strong> ethical assessments. Each topic<br />
will be introduced by a plenary lecture<br />
delivered by an eminent scientist of the<br />
field.<br />
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