Green+ Malaysia's Premier Eco-friendly, Sustainable and Green Business Magazine

EVENTS
‘Change towards
greener lifestyle’
Malaysia managed to reduce more
than 33 per cent carbon emission intensity
MALAYSIAN Green
Technology Corporation
(GreenTech Malaysia)
and Green Purchasing
Network Malaysia
(GPNM) organised the International
Conference On Green Procurement and
Eco-Labeling at Aloft Kuala Lumpur
Sentral on Dec 2.
The event was officiated by the
Energy, Green Technology and Water
Deputy Minister, Dato’ Seri DiRaja
Mahdzir Khalid.
During the deputy minister’s
opening speech, he declared green
procurement plays an important role as
a catalyst for socio-economic development
of the country, where government
procurement accounts for 12% to 15% to
the Gross Domestic Product.
Recognising the importance of
the Green Procurement Government
in improving the competitiveness
between local companies, five ministries
and agencies were selected
as pilots for the implementation of
the Pilot Project Implementers Green
Procurement Government.
The ministries namely the Ministry
of Education, Ministry of Home Affairs,
Ministry of Health Malaysia, the
Economic Planning Unit, the Prime
Minister’s Office (UPE , JPM), and the
Ministry of Energy, Green Technology
and Water (KeTTHA). A total of six
groups of environmentally friendly
A stall promoting Green concept
Participants
at the seminar
listen to a
speech from
one of the
delegates.
products were also selected for implementation
of pilot projects GGP such
as ICT equipment, Energy Efficient
Lighting, Cement and Paint / coatings,
Paper and Cleaning Services.
In the meantime, the government
also recognized Eco-Labeling as one
important instrument to support the
implementation of green procurement.
With the eco-labeling, it will help consumers
make more informed choices
by providing information to understand
the products and services and its
impact on the environment.
KeTTHA through GreenTech
Malaysia has introduced MyHijau
Program, MyHijau Mark and MyHijau
Directory which is an initiative to
promote the production and use of
environmentally friendly products and
services among industry players and
consumers (private household).
At present, there are three agencies
in Malaysia namely SIRIM Berhad,
Energy Commission (EC) and the
National Water Services Commission
(SPAN) that provide certification
schemes on the environment. The
Ministry also plans to involve the participation
of other agencies such as the
Malaysian Good Agriculture Practices
(MyGAP) and Malaysian Timber
Certification Scheme in their products
and services to expand the use of
environmentally friendly labels in their
related industries.
Mahdzir also informed that with all
the efforts and initiatives that have been
implemented, Malaysia has so far managed
to reduce more than 33% carbon
Dr Chen Sau Soon of Sirim
Dr Gerhard Weih
emission intensity although there
are some constraints and obstacles
faced in meeting the promises made in
2009.
The KeTTHA deputy minister also
stressed that in order to achieve the
target of 40% reduction in carbon
emissions intensity, people’s lifestyles
must change through the Renewable
Energy generation, promote the use of
green transportation and green growth
industries. For this purpose, the government
will continue to encourage the
introduction of more green products
and green building as well as a facilitator
for the development of electric
vehicles.
He also noted that efforts towards
a green economy involving all parties,
people’s lifestyles today need to change
towards greener lifestyles of various
aspects. He also urged Malaysians to
work together with the government
in realising Malaysia as a country that
has a sustainable and green community
and to be passed on to the future
generations.
The International Conference on
Green Procurement and Eco-Labeling
programme, which lasted for two days,
include seven plenary sessions and
accompanied by a panel discussion
with Q & A from within and outside the
country to help participants understand
the concept of green procurement and
eco-labeling and also sharing with the
them the best practices in addressing
issues and challenges associated with
the implementation of green procurement
and eco-labeling. .
24
november-december, green+.2014