Going Dutch, Going Green

February-March, 2015
in this issue
Ü Painting the blue skies green
Ü Protein source: a world challenge
Ü Living Tree...Life Imitates Art
Ü Cops go green
Understanding
commercial waste
management
Wastes from the business
community do not necessarily
go to the same landfill as
domestic waste
Hydropower to
drive economic
growth in Asean
Sarawak Energy at
the forefront in powering
up the region
Embracing
eco-design
SIRIM’s Eco Industrial
Design Centre(EIDC) set to
assist local design and
manufacturing industries
Going Dutch
MDBC a forum for Dutch companies in Malaysia to
transfer green and sustainable technology to local
companies and agencies, and also for business
opportunities and partnerships

Menara Sarawak Energy : First Green Building in East Malaysia, awarded with Final Green
Building Index (GBI) Silver Rating under the Non-Residential New Construction (NRNC) Category.
Building on a proud history of more than 70 years as an effective
local utility company, Sarawak Energy is taking bold steps to
support the transformation of Sarawak into a modern and high
income economy. By developing clean power for new industries at
competitive prices, we are creating new opportunities in Sarawak
for generations to come. The Sarawak State Government’s vision
of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy or SCORE, is now a
reality.
Sarawak Energy is the catalyst in driving the success of SCORE that
provides the “Power to Grow”, envisaged to create a stronger
economy for the State of Sarawak, Malaysia.

Editor’s Note
Publisher
HK Gan
hkgan@theplus.my
Managing Editor
Johnson Fernandez
johnson@theplus.my
Photo-Journalist
Kevin Wong
kevin@theplus.my
Contributors
Aniz Adura Ab. Majid
Sheila Kumar
Nur Aimi Ibrahim
Columnists
Lim Gene-Harn
Zaini Abdul Wahab
Kenny Hoo
Kevin Hor
R. Jeganathan
Editorial Coordinator
Sarah Zain
sarah@theplus.my
Creative Director
Ahmad Rafi Abdullah
ahmad@theplus.my
Head of Marketing
Wong Tze Cheen
tcwong@theplus.my
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Going Dutch
The little Dutch boy
who saved Holland
One of the most compelling stories from my childhood
is about Hans Brinker.
“Hans Brinker? Who’s that?” you may ask.
Well, it’s a Dutch legend, though the patriots of
Haarlem, an important town in The Netherlands at
that time, would vouch for its authenticity.
The story is this.
Hans, an 8-year-old boy, was returning home after one of
his regular visits to an old, blind man. As he walked alongside
the dyke, Hans spotted a leak.
The problem was this: The Netherlands is a low-lying
nation. An eighth of the country lies below sea level, with the
lowest city - Prins Alexanderpolder - being seven metres below sea level.
In fact, “The Netherlands” means “low countries”.
MDBC a forum for Dutch companies in Malaysia to
transfer green and sustainable technology to local
companies and agencies, and also for business
opportunities and partnerships
February-March, 2015
in this issue
Ü Painting the blue skies green
Ü Protein source: a world challenge
Ü Living Tree...Life Imitates Art
Ü Cops go green
Understanding
commercial waste
management
Wastes from the business
community do not necessarily
go to the same landfill as
domestic waste
Hydropower to
drive economic
growth in Asean
Sarawak Energy at
the forefront in powering
up the region
Embracing
eco-design
SIRIM’s Eco Industrial
Design Centre(EIDC) set to
assist local design and
manufacturing industries
A statue dedicated to the
legend of Hans Brinker
An extensive network of dams, dykes and dunes prevents The Netherlands from being
flooded out of the world map.
Back to the story…
Hans poked his right index finger into the hole to stop the leak. He screamed himself hoarse
for help but no one heard him as it was late into the night. His parents thought he had decided
the stay the night with the old man.
It was only early next morning that Hans, cold and numb by now, was spotted by a priest.
“What are you doing there?” the priest asked Hans.
“I am holding the water back,” was Hans’ feeble reply. “Please get help!”
News spread and the help came. Everyone in Holland was very proud of the boy.
Well, The Netherlands was saved…for now.
However, the Dutch know that climate changes will one day challenge
their expansive flood-mitigation system. A shift in the weather’s
equilibrium can cause sea levels to rise by about six metres and when
the flood-protection measures are breached, there could be irreparable
damage.
It’s predicted that due to Global Climate Change, sea level rise could
impact The Netherlands drastically, leading to social and economic
devastation.
Needless to say that story was the “early warning system” for The
Netherlands. Ironically, the story emerged from the United States
and is well-known in other parts of the world but not as much in The
Netherlands.
That’s why The Netherlands is now streets ahead in green sustainability,
even transferring technology to advanced countries like the US.
Malaysia’s a developing nation, aspiring to be fully-developed by
2020, and there’s so much to be garnered by collaborating with The
Netherlands. And that’s what makes the Malaysian-Dutch Business
Council (MDBC) such an imperative tool.
There’s a long way to go in the learning curve but as MDBC chairman Zainul Rahim says
“we’ve already come quite a distance”.
Even the Dutch ambassador Harry Molenaar, who hosted an MDBC function at his residence
on Jan 19, assured no stone will be left unturned in the transfer of green technology by
Dutch companies located in Malaysia to local counterparts.
The forum is already there, and to take a lesson from an 8-year-old Dutch boy, it’s for
Malaysians to do what’s right for our coming generations.
Opinions expressed by writers and
advertisers are not necessarily those of the
publisher and editor. While every care is
taken to ensure the accuracy of the articles,
the publisher assumes no responsibility for
effects arising from them.
JOHNSON FERNANDEZ
2
february-march, green+.2015

Who is DHES?
DRB-Hicom Environmental Services Sdn
Bhd (938781-W) or “DHES” is a fully owned
subsidiary of Alam Flora Sdn Bhd and is
under the DRB-HICOM BERHAD Group.
We offer diverse quality services related
to the environment including consultancy,
systems analyses and technical inspection.
We have more than 100* staff in the
management and technical areas and
over 400* support staff stationed all over
Malaysia. Established in the 1990s**, and
we have more than 18 years experience in
this industry and we assure our customers
quality service.
Why us?
Quality Service
Reliability
Technical Capabilities
Group Synergy
Strategy Driven
Value For Money
* Data until September 2014 ** Alam Flora Sdn Bhd
LEADING
AGGRESIVE
3R &
Industrial Scrap
Our main Recycling Centre is located in Precint 9, Putrajaya.
By our “Buy Back Programme”, you can earn some income
while helping the domestic economy and conserving the
environment.
Besides 3R activities, DHES is also involved in providing a
comprehensive service for the large scale industry. On an
average we manage 110 tonnes of scrap per day, equivalent
to 40,000 tonnes yearly. Our industrial scrap waste consists
of various types of iron and metal, wood, aluminium and
other hard materials. Hence DHES has become the largest
Bumiputera company in Malaysia in managing industrial scrap.
Waste Management Facility
& Services
DHES has started its business in waste management in
Malaysia since 1990s. Our vast experience in this industry has
widen our range of services into;
• Management of Transfer Station
• Management of Sanitary Landfill
• Industrial, Commercial & Institutional (ICI) Waste
• Renovation & Construction Waste (RCW)
Integrated Facilities
Management (IFM)
Our focus is to ensure quality that our customers demand and
maximise the building’s life cycle. Our services are:
• Mechanical and Electrical Systems
• Civil and Structural Systems
• Environment Management
• Parking Management
• Security Management
• Computerised Maintenance Management System
• Utilities Management
• Landscaping and Grounds Services
• Cleaning and Housekeeping Services
• Fire Fighthing Systems
• Vertical Transportation
• Pest Control
Level 2, EON Head Office Complex, No.2, Persiaran Kerjaya, Taman Perindustrian Glenmarie, Seksyen U1, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Tel: +603-78030518 / 0844 / 1428 / 1472 | Fax: +603-78030137 | www.dhes.com.my

Contents
14-16
Taking a leaf
off the Dutch book
MDBC facilitates transfer of green technology
and ideas – Pages 8-11
FGV- Painting the
blue skies green
FGV Ramping Up Sustainable Efforts
– Pages 12-13
NRE Water- Climate change
threatens sustainability of
water systems
Expected dry months have changed to wet
months and vice-versa – Pages 14-16
NRE Forest- Committed
to a cause
All States committed to implement
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
– Pages 17-19
Kenny Hoo- Tips for
greater success in 2015
In Malaysia, there will be more investment
opportunities – Pages 20-21
Sirim- Embracing
eco-design
SIRIM’s Eco Industrial Design Centre (EIDC)
set to assist local design and manufacturing
industries – Pages 22-24
MDBC Night
Dutch ambassador fetes members at
residence – Page 25
DHES- Understanding
commercial waste
management
Wastes from the business community do
not necessarily go to the same landfill as
domestic waste – Pages 26-28
Alam Flora- Alam Flora’s
special agents for 3R
programme
Eco Rangers will conduct talks and distribute
leaflets related to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
– Page 29
Gene-Harn- Nuclear power
plants – don’t we really have
other options?
Engaging the right questions with the right
crowd – Pages 30-33
Zaini- Roles of energy
managers in Malaysia
Merely for legal compliances or as catalyst
for efficient management of energy for large
energy users – Pages 34-37
GreenTech Awards 2014
Green awards for individuals, organizations,
companies and journalists – Page 38
Kevin Hor- The language gap
around risk in energy efficient
projects
There’s need to communicate the right
bankability signals – Pages 40-41
Forest Yoga- Balance between
Man and his environment
Nature’s the very pillar of our existence
– Pages 42-43
Entofood- Protein source: a
world challenge
Feed industry has already initiated some deep
changes in formulation – Pages 44-47
Sarawak Energy-Hydropower
to drive economic growth in
Asean
Sarawak Energy at the forefront in powering
up the region – Pages 48-49
Murum-Murum HEP first
turbine unit ready for
operation
On track for a secure, sustainable and
affordable energy future– Page 50
PDRM-Cops go green
33 EV scooters supplied to Amanita – Page 52
42
48-49
4
february-march, green+.2015

Contents
56-58
Hati- Living Tree...Life
Imitates Art
It took Malaysians only a short while to forget
our relationship with nature – Pages 54-55
MOSTI confident of achieving
systematic reforms
Malaysia has the ability to develop rich
insights – Pages 56-58
Spring is in the air
This year is expected to better last year’s
record of 43 international participants – Pages
60-61
IRIS Rimbunan Kaseh project
launched in Malacca
To sustainably improve the livelihoods of the
less fortunate – Page 62
Wind reps are full of hot air!
Renewable energy targets for
2020 in the EU caused dramatic drops in
market share – Page 63
Astronomers rule (In their
universe)
10,000 model galaxies are studied over 300
million light years – Pages 64-66
Jaime la belle Paris, mais
sacre bleu!
Increase in Parisians without cars has gone
up from 40% to 60% – Page 66
Mongoose inbreeding
maintains social system?
Even females in this species mate with
strangers – Page 68
Mammals as they used to be
More fossils will present unique knowledge of
our recent past – Page 69
Die, Diesel, Die!
Car-free Sundays may be an option – Page 70
71
54-55
Losing the wildlife in
your woods?
Wilding in the form of wolves and bears in
North America is widely practiced – Page 71
No to coals and its emissions
Europe have raised their renewable
proportion of energy consumption – Page 73
Can we afford extinction, or
conservation?
Problem revolves around the perennial
shortage of funds for conservation – Page75
UK or Republican
deniers are worst?
Politicians in particular have latched onto
armchair speculators – Page 77
Methane danger in
undersea permafrost
Enormous amounts of gas will be r
eleased – Page 79
6
february-march, green+.2015

in this issue
Ü Tea Team produces results
Ü Weaving hope for future
Ü Pomeroy unveils Newpark
Ü China’s land treatment
success
NRE’s 11 goals
towards a better
environment
Implementation of CAAP critical in
reducing greenhouse emissions
and combating global warming
Nam Cheong
launches new
‘green’ AHTS vessel
Not just cost-effective
but also fuel efficient and
environmentally-friendly
Technology
Provider
As a premier solution provider, President
and CE Dato’ Dr Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof
is the driver behind SIRIM’s quality and
technology innovations that help
companies to compete better

COVER STORY
We have
been
working with
The Netherlands
Embassy, and
have been longterm
supporters
of green
technology and
sustainability.”
MDBC Executive Director
Marco Winter
8
february-march, green+.2015

COVER STORY
A Dutch
electric car.
Taking a leaf off the Dutch book
MDBC facilitates transfer of green technology and ideas
The Netherlands is growing
its 21st century economy
through major green investments.
They use new urban
development policies and
ideas to create sustainable, climate
change-proof landscapes.
They are transitioning from an
economy dependent on oil and gas
to one driven by renewable energy
sources like wind power and sustainable
transportation. And they are
promoting green business practices.
The Netherlands’ commitments have
a decades-long return on investment
as energy prices continue to rise and
traditional sources become scarcer.
They work at every level regarding
the environment – from senior policymakers,
to large companies, to farmers
in small communities. Their partnership
helps countries develop better ideas
and implement advanced long-term
infrastructure and economic plans.
Today, The Netherlands is sharing
best practices in green urban planning,
logistical support networks for electric
cars, wind farms that power entire
cities and numerous other solutions
with their allies, and hope that this can
help make a difference with whichever
country they collaborate with.
The Malaysian Dutch Business
Council (MDBC) is an organisation
set up many years ago for the benefit
of the Malaysian and Dutch business
community in Malaysia by providing
opportunities and a platform for
Malaysian companies to interact with
their Dutch counterparts as well as
to create openings for them in the
Netherlands. It’s also a forum for
Dutch companies in Malaysia to get in
touch with local companies and agencies
for business opportunities and
partnerships.
It’s also a stage where the transfer
of green technology and exchanges of
green ideas take place, albeit slowly but
surely.
In an exclusive interview with
Green+’s Kevin Wong, MDBC Chairman
Zainul Rahim and Executive Director
Marco Winter talk about the functions
and purpose of the Malaysian Dutch
Business Council.
Green+: What was the purpose and
intention of the Malaysian Dutch
Business Council?
MDBC: Initially, at its founding in 1996, it
was mainly to be a networking organisations
for Dutch-linked companies
and Dutch entrepreneurs operating in
Malaysia.
MDBC helps to forge and foster business
ties between Malaysia and The
Netherlands. The broader aim of the
Council is to further facilitate bilateral
trade and investment by Dutch and
Malaysian companies in each other’s
countries.
Established by Malaysian and
Dutch companies, MDBC is a private,
well-established, trade & investment
support organisation with over 220
member companies. It is considered
one of the most active business councils
in Kuala Lumpur and in Malaysia as
a whole.
Green+: How has MDBC served the
interests of the Malaysian Dutch business
community?
MDBC: MDBC serves the community
by successfully executing these three
main focuses:
green+.2015 , february-march 9

COVER STORY
Zainul Rahim
REPRESENTATION
By establishing relations with various government
institutions and actively participating in
the dialogue amongst European Union members
in Malaysia, the MDBC is able to serve as
the voice of our members and highlight the
individual needs of companies to the appropriate
authorities. MDBC also serves as a link to
the other bilateral Business Associations and
Chambers of Commerce.
NETWORKING & EVENTS
Through regular (monthly) events, members
are able to develop good business
contacts with the Dutch business community
in Malaysia, as well as with other foreign
companies, Malaysian counterparts and government
bodies. Events include business
luncheon presentations, seminars, meetings
& dialogue sessions with relevant Malaysian
institutions, visits to companies, exhibitions
or projects, and social networking events
which are often organised together with
other Business Associations and Chambers
of Commerce to further extend networking
opportunities.
BUSINESS SERVICES:
MDBC provides business information services
to members, related to a variety of topics such
as trade & investment issues, finance, budget
and accounting matters, HR developments,
CSR & sustainability, and other relevant
events and exhibitions taking place.
MDBC also assists potential investors/
members on issues related to setting up a
company or representative office in Malaysia.
Providing exposure for and on membercompanies
is achieved through our
various publications and publicity, namely the
Business Directory, the quarterly magazine
(MDBCONNECTS), website, emails, the organisation
of events and through our website
and active social media (LinkedIn, Facebook,
Twitter).
Green+: What have been the challenges?
MDBC: Developing a more favourable environment
and framework for foreign investors:
Through a pro-active approach of the
local authorities (esp MITI, MIDA, InvestKL)
and using the input of many chambers and
business organisations, Malaysia has taken
the steps to much improve the ease of doing
business and to create this favourable business
climate.
At the same time, we want to promote
Malaysia and also to create awareness in
Malaysia.
Competition is tough. Indonesia
and Singapore are better known in The
Netherlands. China gets a lot of attention.
We want to create awareness about doing
business in Malaysia. This has been and is
taking place step by step. In some areas, this
is easier than in others.
10
february-march, green+.2015

COVER STORY
The broader aim
of the Council is
to further facilitate
bilateral trade and
investment by
Dutch and Malaysian
companies in each
other’s countries. “
MDBC Chairman
Zainul Rahim
The market has been favourable
for companies in oil & gas, outsourcing
(back-office) operations, and for companies
that require a regional set-up.
But it has been challenging to convince
companies that require a larger homemarket
and for those that need to get
involved in public procurement.
Green+: How has the migration been to
the “green” and / or sustainable business
models?
MDBC: We have been working with
The Netherlands Embassy, and have
been long-term supporters of green
technology and sustainability. Also, we
have had a number of events (small
and large) to educate individuals, SMEs
and MNCs. Also, MDBC has taken its
own steps on this road to sustainability
- recycling, don’t waste energy,
use recycled / FSC paper, car pool, use
public transport or walk to meetings in
town when possible.
The biggest thing has been the
MDBC Sustainability Awards. It emphasises
sharing of best practices, enabling
others to learn and implement in a
modular fashion processes and procedures
that will ultimately make their
organizations more green, innovative
and sustainable.
In general, we have noticed that it
takes a long-term view. Education is
very important. Don’t just focus on
moral obligation for companies to be
involved in CSR and sustainability, but
show that sustainability efforts will be
beneficial (e.g. financially) in the long
run and that it becomes an integral
part of business sustainability.
At the same time, the initiatives
of many Dutch companies have also
found its way to Malaysia. Dutch Lady
Milk Industries, Philips, AkzoNobel,
SHELL, GAB/Heineken, Unilever
and TNT are all companies that have
successfully implemented some of
their companies’ global sustainability
initiatives in Malaysia.
Green+: Has there been a transfer
of technology to Malaysian
counterparts, especially given that
The Netherlands are years ahead in
“green business”? If yes, in which
segments?
MDBC: Difficult to say how these
have been received by the Malaysian
public, but within a certain niche
market these initiatives have been
received positively, looking at corporate
and authorities.
There clearly is some interest in
Dutch experience (and related products
and services) and to learn from
Dutch leadership in several areas
related to sustainability, especially
in the areas of water management,
agriculture, life sciences and logistics
(including smart cities, smart
highways).
We have also seen that the media
has shown an interest in the sustainability
efforts of MDBC and our
members.
green+.2015 , february-march 11

ENVIRONMENT
EVERYWHERE in the news today you
see stories about global warming
and the resulting effects on Mother
Earth.
Take a look at the recent floods,
Malaysia’s worst, and other natural disasters
and the question that begs to be answered is
this: What kind of world are we going to leave
behind for our children?
Remember that maxim “We do not inherit
the world from our ancestors but borrow it from
our children”? Doesn’t that make it imperative
that we be a lot kinder to Mother Earth? Hence
the colossal benefit in going green.
Now, we ask: Can one individual help the
world stay green? Why not?
It’s indeed about individuals. Simple steps,
simple efforts. The multiplying effect of efforts
by individuals, family, friends and organisations
roll into millions.
So, yes, every little effort will count.
As a corporate body, Felda Global Ventures
Holdings Berhad (FGV) has the responsibility
to support efforts to protect the earth. As
the manager of Malaysia’s largest land bank,
FGV wants to ensure minimal impact on the
environment and even protect areas where
FGV operates.
Sustainability is not just about environment
but also about people and profitability. FGV
understands the commitment and contribution
of all our stakeholders are invaluable to achieve
our goals and aspirations.
The foundation of FGV’s business goes back
more than 50 years to the formation of Federal
Land Development Authority (FELDA) in 1956.
FELDA’s aim was to provide land for the landless
and rural poor to settle into land developed
and specially cultivated to provide a source of
income for families.
Incorporated in 2007, FGV remains an
integral part of the FELDA family. FGV supports
FELDA settlers through management and
extension services, ensuring that land owners
have access to the best management practice,
FGV’s biomass plant
Dato Emir during the soft launch of the EcoTruck in Decmber last year.
Painting the blue
skies green
FGV ramping up sustainable efforts
high quality planting materials and support for
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
certification.
FGV also buys an average over 5 million
tonnes of fruit from the Felda settlers annually,
and these are processed through their 72 crude
palm oil mills.
FGV is committed to developing productive
agricultural areas, improving living
standards and promoting effective agricultural
management. In their ever-evolving journey
towards this end, FGV has adopted best
practices in social and agricultural
development.
The development and emergence of the
RSPO marks another stage in our sustainability
journey. The RSPO is the global standard
promoting growth and the use of sustainable
palm oil throughout the supply chain.
Being an active member of RSPO, FGV was
one of the first palm oil producers to support
the RSPO. Their commitment is to certify all
their plantations and smallholders’ crops by
2017. FGV believes the RSPO Principles and
Criteria (P&C) are consistent with FGV’s overall
mission and it is their benchmark to the next
phase of growth.
They are also amongst the first to certify
palm oil according to the International
Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)
standards in the country.
In 2005, their Sahabat power plant in Lahad
Datu, Sabah was the world’s first to generate
power from oil palm waste material under a
Clean Development Mechanism project. The
Sahabat power plant has the capacity to produce
up to 55,000 tonnes of carbon emission
credits annually. The use of biomass has displaced
the use of fossil fuel since January 2006,
resulting in emission reduction approximately
of 144,522 MT CO2 equivalent.
12
february-march, green+.2015

ENVIRONMENT
A natural by-product of processing
palm oil mill effluent (POME) is methane.
A powerful greenhouse gas, methane
can be used to generate electricity by
burning it as a fuel in a gas turbine or
steam boiler. Burning methane instead
of traditional fossil fuel produces less
carbon dioxide.
FGV installed 15 biogas trapping
plants and plan to complete installation
of biogas capturing facilities in 59 mills
by 2020.
Apart from using methane to
generate electricity, FGV discovered an
innovative development that enables
methane and other by-products from
crude palm oil to be used as raw input
at low costs to produce high grade graphene
and carbon nanotubes (CNT), a
high quality advance material.
FGV and Cambridge Nanosystems
Ltd formed a strategic partnership that
will enhance value for both parties. FGV
will provide the raw material for the
production of CNT and graphene whilst
Carbon Nanosystems Ltd would provide
proprietary technology to produce a line
of products made from CNT produced via
a nano-systems technology.
These products has the potential to
launch a new generation of electronic
devices that run faster, whilst using less
energy - a new era of CNT electronics,
which has long been considered as
a potential successor to the silicon
transistor.
Apart from electrical devices, CNT
and graphene have the potential use
in next generation communication
cables such as computers as well as
for underwater cables. By converting
carbon-containing by-products, this
innovative revolutionary invention in
Green Technology will forever change
global industries such as aviation, oil
and gas, and electronics among others,
paving the way for a safer and more
sustainable ecosystem.
BIODIESEL
With an estimated global demand for
biodiesel of up to 15 million tonnes by
2020, the production of biodiesel will
be a key part of FGV’s downstream
development.
The new business ventures
started when Felda Global Ventures
Biotechnologies Sdn. Bhd. (FGVB)
acquired a biodiesel refinery and other
assets nearby Kuantan Port in April
2013 and is in the process of finalising
the purchase of another plant next to
the existing plant.With the new plant,
our biodiesel capabilities will increase
threefold, resulting in FGV becoming one
of the largest exporters of biodiesel in
Southeast Asia.
FGV’s Palm Methyl Ester (PME) is
Becoming the first
Malaysian company to
test a biodiesel blend that
is more than four times
higher than the B7 biodiesel
currently mandated by the
government, demonstrates
our willingness to go
above and beyond national
standards.”
– FGV Group President and
Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah
ISCC certified and compliant with the
EU Renewable Energy Directive. In
November 2013, they made their maiden
shipment of 4,200 tonnes of PME to
clients in Europe. In October of last year,
FGV also exported to China bringing the
total of PME exported up to a total of
60,000 MT.
Recently, Felda Global Ventures
Holdings Berhad (FGV), the world’s
largest producer of Crude Palm Oil
(CPO), achieved a breakthrough in the
manufacture and usage of renewable
fuels when it became the first company
in Malaysia to successfully test one of its
tankers running on B30 biodiesel.
The B30 blend, comprising 30% of
PME with 70% of diesel fuel, represents
a substantial decrease in the amount
of diesel fuel normally used by commercial
transport vehicles. In addition to
the potential savings generated by the
reduced consumption of diesel, B30 also
reduces FGV’s dependence on fossil fuels
and strengthens the element of sustainability
in all of its logistics operations.
Group President and Chief Executive
Officer, Dato’ Mohd Emir Mavani
Abdullah said: “Becoming the first
Malaysian company to test a biodiesel
blend that is more than four times
FGV are
committed to
developing
productive
agricultural
areas.
higher than the B7 biodiesel currently
mandated by the government, demonstrates
our willingness to go above
and beyond national standards. It also
underlines FGV’s steadfast resolve to the
implementation of sustainable activities
in every facet of our operational
activities.”
FGV continues its commitment
towards the sustainability effort with
the launch of the FGV EcoTruck, a twoyear
campaign that will see two trucks
powered by B30 up to B100 biodiesel
travelling across Malaysia educating the
public about climate change and how
products such as biodiesel can make a
difference. The FGV EcoTruck will disseminate
information to the Malaysian
public using state-of-the-art technology
and edutainment tools with the
aim to move audiences to action on the
preservation of the planet, both now and
for the future.
This initiative by FGV is being created
to educate Malaysians. FGV wants
to create awareness and a sense of
urgency on the effects of climate change
and its consequences for Malaysia. FGV
want Malaysians to become global
citizens by taking action to make a real
difference in their local communities.
FGV is determined to take the lead
in demonstrating that incorporating
sustainability in every aspect of its
operations is the only way in addressing
the needs of today’s global market
whilst meeting our obligations as a
globally responsible company.
Not only that, FGV is also committed
to protecting the natural environment
and we have adopted the internationally
accepted High Conservation Value
(HCV) assessment tool as our basis for
identifying biodiversity conservation
and protection priorities. Through this
approach, we can help preserve populations
of endangered wildlife and ensure
their survival for future generations.
A subsidiary company of FGV,
Pontian United Plantations Berhad(PUP)
has been involved in conservation
work at the Lower Kinabatangan since
early 2000 with the WWF-Malaysia. In
October 2014, PUP conducted a demarcation
exercise involving voluntarily
demarcating some 20ha of productive
land for the reinstatement of a riparian
reserve.
The reserve is part of the recently
re-established Kinabatangan Mega
Biodiversity and Wildlife Corridor. As
part of its joint-venture land management
programme with the Sabah
Wildlife Department and Borneo
Conservation Trust, oil palm trees along
the new wildlife riparian corridor were
removed to allow sunlight to penetrate
the tree canopy.
green+.2015 , february-march 13

NATURAL RESOURCES : WATER
STARK CONTRAST: Kelantan, when it suffered from drought and when it didn’t stop raining.
Climate change threatens
sustainability of water systems
Expected dry months have changed to wet months and vice-versa
By JOHNSON FERNANDEZ
In Part II of his interview with Green+,
Natural Resources and Environment
Minister, Datuk Seri G. Palanivel speaks
about the threats to Malaysia’s water
resources and the mitigation steps being
taken by the federal government.
In Malaysia, major floods recorded as earliest
back in 1926, then in 1949 and 1971. Over
the years, flood events keep continuing and
the occurrence seems to increase.
He warned of possible dry years in 2028,
2029, 2034, 2042 and 2044.
G+: What are the threats to the nation’s water
resources?
A: The country as a whole received enough
amount of rainfall for most of all its needs.
However, it should be noted that rainfall is
not evenly distributed both in time and space.
Sarawak, for example, received on average
annual rainfall of 453 billion cubic meter (bcm)
as compared to Peninsular Malaysia which
gets about 330 billion bcm/year although the
area is about the same. And for Peninsular
Malaysia, the States in the east coast receive
more rainfall than the States in the west
coast. For example, Terengganu gets an
average annual rainfall of 3310 mm/year but
Selangor only gets 2190 mm/year. As far as
time is concern, most of the states get their
rainfall during the northeast monsoon form
the month of October to February. February,
in general, is the driest month for Peninsular
Malaysia but this again varies from State to
State. For Selangor, it is June based on long
14
february-march, green+.2015

NATURAL RESOURCES : WATER
term records.
There will always be challenges
and issues as far as water resources
management is concern. Currently the
biggest user of our water resource is
in agriculture sector in particular for
paddy planting which is about 52% of
our present demand. Next would be for
domestic and industrial sector which
accounts for about 32 % and the balance
is for the other sectors such as for
fisheries, non-paddy agriculture and for
animal husbandry. The event of drought
and storm are all part of a natural cycle.
There will be time when there is too
much rainfall which causes flood and
there will be time for very little rainfall
which turns into drought.
Further to these, floods are the
natural disaster that also cause threats
and have been affecting human lives
since beginning of time. In Malaysia,
major floods recorded as earliest back
in 1926, then in 1949 and 1971. Over the
years, flood events keep continuing and
the occurrence seems to increase. As
for the year 2000, the reported flood
affected or flood prone areas in Malaysia
are about 30,000 km2 or about 9% of
total land mass of Malaysia while the
number of people affected was close to
5 million. Flood events will becomes a
disaster when it has impact on human
settlement and activities which resulting
in loss of lives, agricultural and
property damage, business losses,
inconveniences, as well as stress and
emotional to the affected population.
The other future threat is the climate
change. In recent years has becoming
more importance. Climate change is a
change in the statistical properties of
the climate system when considered
over long periods, regardless of cause
whether it is earth natural process or
from human intervention and it is a continuous
process and largely irreversible.
The main problem causing climate
change is excessive and uncontrolled
CO2 emission from human activities,
which has caused concentration of CO2
increase by 35% since the beginning of
the age of industrialization.
As a fundamental driver of the water
cycle, it determines water availability
(supply) and water demand in the
short and long term. Climate change
has impact on weather and changes
in weather patterns determine variability
in water supply and demand on
a day-to-day and season-to-season
basis – the weather one year may
be drier or wetter than the last.
Further to that, based on simulations
on selected rivers according to
National Hydraulic Research Institute
of Malaysia (NAHRIM) 2006 study,
the maximum monthly flow findings,
generally in the future there would be
more extreme hydrological conditions.
According to the Malaysian Climate
Projection from NAHRIM, there will be
10% increased future annual rainfalls
for Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang,
and decrease 5% for Selangor and Johor.
More droughts i.e. dry years anticipated
(2028, 2029, 2034, 2042 and 2044) and
higher maximum and lower minimum
rainfall will be observed in the future in
many sub regions.
Changes in temperature and
precipitation patterns have effect the
water cycle by changing its availability,
quantity and its quality. With raising
atmospheric temperature and increase
rate of evapotranspiration the demand
for water from human beings and the
agriculture sector will also increase.
Climate change may threaten the sustainability
of water systems, irrigation
systems and farming systems without
adaptation and mitigation measures in
future. Climate change could play havoc
in our water resources by changing our
weather pattern, expected dry months
have changed to wet months and vice
versa. The experienced in 2010, the prolong
drought has result the production
of Water Treatment Plant almost fell
zero due to decreased in river yield. This
also causes losing millions of economic
returns.
As a nation, all of us can and
must play a role to manage out water
resources wisely. In particular, if we
reduce the use of water. For domestic
users, simple efforts such as turning
off taps during brushing your teeth,
while applying soap to our body or
Palanivel (2nd
from right)
helps with
distribution of
food in Jelai,
Cameron
Highlands
shampooing our hair can lead to substantial
savings.
G+: What is being done to mitigate each
of these threats?
A: We look at water hazard in two
dimensions, too much or too little. If
we get too much of them, then there
will be flood especially when our river
system cannot cope with the volume
that needs to be discharged out. On
the other hand, if we get too little, then
most of us and many sectors of the
economy will be affected. We as part
of society will face water rationing but
for many industries from many other
sectors such as the oil palm, cash crops
and aquaculture will also be affected.
As for flood, the Federal government
has worked on many projects and we
have seen many successful projects.
Without these projects, many more
part of the countries would be affected
but as usual when the problems are
solved the society would casually
forgets all the efforts taken to address
the problem. A few notable efforts
would be the SMART Project and the
Sg. Damansara Project.
As for drought, our aim is to improve
the detection and early warning
system so that we can forewarn the
relevant sectors and request them to
come up with necessary adaptation
measures. We also have to make the
system more comprehensive covering
not only Peninsular Malaysia as well
as Sabah and Sarawak. For this, we
need resources both in term of allocation
as well as human. As for climate
change, there is a need to improve our
green+.2015 , february-march 15

NATURAL RESOURCES : WATER
Aid workers
helping unload
donated items
Volunteers help with distribution of essentials in affected areas.
understanding of long-term climate variability
and change. There are serious concern
from government and institutional concern
to reduce the risks from effects of climate
change. Nationally there has been a well
strategize plan for an effective water demand
management by reducing NRW and demand
consumption.
G+: How critical is the situation, especially in
Selangor?
A: The situation in Selangor is being looked
into with respect to water level in Selangor
Dam and Sg. Tinggi Dam. The concern is now
being address by the relevant Ministries.
G+: The quality of river water has deteriorated
over the years. What are the challenges in
educating not only the general public but also
huge corporations to be more responsible
citizens?
A: River water quality over the years has
fluctuated but in 2011 and 2012 had shown
improvement as compared to 2010. Jabatan
Alam Sekitar (DOE) currently monitors 473
stations and it was reported there are about
41% of our rivers which are slightly of heavily
polluted. The challenge to educate our public
is tremendous and we are doing our best to
address this. Huge corporations can play a
big role in stepping up their social corporate
responsibility and that can be through several
avenues such as by embracing a green and
environmental sustainability and friendly
policy, by educating their staff and their
suppliers and by providing resources for environmental
campaign and awareness program
G+: Rapid, badly-planned development
has often been blamed for flash floods in
Kuala Lumpur. Is there a plan for controlled
development?
A: For urban drainage system planning and
implementation, it is within the purview of
the local authority and NRE through DID
Malaysia would provide advice on conditions
that need to be imposed. This is to
ensure that new developments hold back
some of the storm water and do not impose
additional volume of water as compared to its
pre-development conditions. If the development
requires an EIA study (Environment
Impact Assessment) then the Department
of Environment would also look into requirements
that need to be addressed. Otherwise,
it is within the purview of the local authority.
Besides EIA, Department of Irrigation
and Drainage (DID) has published the Urban
Storm water Management Manual (MSMA)
in 2000. These guidelines was approved by
the Cabinet to be implemented and complied
by all local authorities, public and private
development projects to emphasis of peak
discharge control at source.
It is mandatory now to provide control
at-source measures and recommendation
on flood control by means of detention and
retention, infiltration and purification process
including erosion and sedimentation
controls through enforcing and regulating
the Erosion and Sediment Control Plans
(ESCP)”. The quality and quantity of the
runoff from developing areas has to be
maintained to be the same as that of predevelopment
condition. In general, the
control plan for development has been
established but there are rooms for further
improvement especially for the smaller local
authorities.
16
february-march, green+.2015

ENVIRONMENT - FORESTRY
Committed to a cause
All States committed to implement
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
Northern
Gunung Park,
Sabah
green+.2015 , february-march 17

ENVIRONMENT - FORESTRY
By JOHNSON FERNANDEZ
Natural Resources And
Environment Minister Datuk
Seri G. Palanivel makes no secret
that he’s passionate about the
environment.
In an interview with Green+, he said the
federal government was leaving no stone
unturned in its efforts to create a healthy balance
between wooded land and development.
This was Malaysia’s commitment at the Earth
Summit in Brazil in 1992.
G+: How successful has the Malaysian government
been to ensure at least 50 per cent of its
land area are under forests and tree cover in
accordance with our commitment made at the
Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992?
A: Malaysia is committed to maintain at least
50% of her land area under forest and tree
cover in perpetuity as pledged under the 1992
Rio Earth Summit. This is attained through
the protection of forests and the application
of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
practices. To date, the forest cover for Malaysia
is approximately 61% which amounts to 20.31
million hectares of the total land area.
To achieve the country’s commitment,
various efforts have been carried out by the
Ministry and the respective departments such
as:
preservation and conservation of forests
through forest rehabilitation program like
tree planting in abandoned and degraded land
areas;
intensify efforts to identify and
Cleared hills
in Sabah
gazettement of more forest area as Permanent
Reserve Forest (PRF) or Totally Protected
Areas (TPA);
continue the forest and silviculture treatments
activities in the PRF;
encourage log production from forest plantations
in order to reduce pressure on natural
forests;
introduce quality and improved forest tree
species and low-impact harvesting methods
by enhancing research and development
(R&D) activities; and
explore other potential sources of revenue
from PRF like non-wood forest products,
payments for ecosystem services (PES) etc.
G+: The National Land Council was established
to enable the Federal and the State
Governments to discuss and resolve common
problems and issues relating to forestry
policy, administration and management, as
well as to enhance cooperation between the
Federal and State Governments. What are the
measures and strategies that have been put
into place?
A: The National Land Council (NLC) was
established to coordinate approaches and
harmonize policies of other sectors that
interface with forestry. The Hon. Deputy
Prime Minister chairs the NLC which comprises
the Chief Ministers of the 13 Malaysian
states, the Minister of Natural Resources
and Environment Malaysia and other federal
ministers whose portfolios have impacts on
the forestry sector: finance; trade; agriculture
commodities; science, technology and the
environment. In addition to enhancing collaboration,
the NLC serves as a forum for federal
and state governments to discuss and resolve
issues relating to forest policy, administration
and management.
Among measures and strategies that have
been put into place are:
All States are committed to implement
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
that includes intensifying efforts to identify
and gazette more forest area as Permanent
Reserve Forest (PRF) or Totally Protected
Areas (TPA); implement forest certification;
and promote Reduce Impact Logging
techniques.
To control the logging activity, all State
governments must comply with the Annual
Allowable Cut (AAC) endorsed by NLC during
every 5-year Malaysia Development Plan and
the actual production or log extraction needs
to report back to NLC annually.
Barren hills
in Kelantan
18
february-march, green+.2015

ENVIRONMENT - FORESTRY
In line with the commitment made at
the international for a (i.e. Earth Summit
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992), all State
governments continue to support and
commit towards maintaining at least
50% of the country’s land area that is
covered with trees and forest cover.
G+: With regards to the implementation
of Sustainable Forest Management
(SFM). What are the policies introduced
to conserve and manage the nation’s
forest?
A: The National Forestry Policy 1978
(revised 1992) and the National Policy
on Biological Diversity 1998, are the
two sets of forestry-related policies
implemented particularly pertinent to
achieve the SFM in Malaysia. These policies
aim to conserve and manage the
nation’s forest resources and to protect
the environment as well as to conserve
biological diversity, genetic resources,
and to enhance research and education.
G+: What measures have been taken to
protect the environment as well as to
conserve biological diversity, genetic
resources, and to enhance research and
education?
A: Recognising the great importance
of protecting the natural resources
and environment; the Malaysian
Government formulated forestry
related policies, coordinate and monitor
environment issues, execute environmental
planning by initiating protected
areas (terrestrial and marine protected
areas) and encourage environmentoriented
research and development
(R&D) activities.
The National Biodiversity Council
(NBC) was established with a more
focused function on biodiversity related
issues. Specifically the NBC would
determine and endorse the direction,
policy and strategies for conservation
of biodiversity. The NBC is chaired by
the Deputy Prime Minister and serves
as a platform discussion and dialogue
on biodiversity matters between the
federal and state governments.
The government has produced
a draft national law on Access to
Biological Resources and Benefit
Sharing (ABS) which will regulate/
operationalise the following aspects:-
Malaysia’s legal obligation to implement
Article 15 and other relevant
articles of the CBD;
Ensure bio-prospecting initiatives
are carried out with the Prior Informed
Consent (PIC) of the authority in
Malaysia;
To avoid biopiracy where biological
resources are accessed and extracted
without permission and developed for
commercialisation;
Ensure necessary agreements are
entered into between the bio- prospector
and the authority in Malaysia so that
benefits are fairly and equitably shared.
To recognise the rights of indigenous
and local communities with respect to
their traditional knowledge associated
with biological resources.
Northern
Gunung Park,
Sabah
Royal Belum
Park, Perak
The legal framework provides for a
number of key provisions that would
facilitate the implementation of the
principles of ABS among others:
the appointment of Competent
Authorities;
the establishment of an advisory
committee/body as relevant and
appropriate;
regulating issues relating to access to
biological resources and/or traditional
knowledge associated with biological
resources for the purpose of research
and development as well as commercial
or potential commercial purposes;
provision in relation to benefit sharing
agreements;
requirement for PIC and Mutually
Agreed Terms etc.;
establishment of measures for the
purpose of monitoring and tracking of
the utilisation of biological resources or
traditional knowledge associated with
biological resources.
The Forest Research Institute
Malaysia (FRIM) was established in
1985. FRIM has the role to develop
better ways of managing the forest
and its resources to prevent further
biodiversity loss while creating a
balance between the development of
forest-based technologies, products
and innovations to help the related
industries; and educate the public on the
importance of forest. FRIM’s R&D activities
are aimed at helping the country
in its continuous efforts in conserving
the natural resources and environment,
ensuring the sustainable management
of our forests with the development
of efficient downstream processing
and utilizing technology to ensure the
promotion of an ecologically sustainable
forestry sector in Malaysia. Its R&D
activities are targeted to ensure a balance
between the preservation of forest
resources while meeting the demands
of the fast-growing forest-based
industries through alternative methods
and technologies or widely denoted as
‘Waste to Wealth’.
green+.2015 , february-march 19

COLUMN
Tips for greater success in 2015
In Malaysia, there will be more investment opportunities
Colour of the Year
Master Kenny
Hoo is the
Founder & Chief
Researcher
of GOOD
FENG SHUI®
Geomantic
Research, a
research-based
company that
actively involves
in providing
professional
Feng Shui
(Geomantic
science)
research,
authoring
seminars and
consultation
services for
domestic home,
business,
factory, hotels
& resorts,
township,
property
development
& ancestral
graveyard. To
find out more
about Kenny
and his Feng
Shui please
visit www.
goodfengshui.
com.
BY KENNY HOO
THE beginning of Spring (Li
Chun) falls on the 4th of
February 2015 (at 11:58am).
However, the Chinese Lunar
New Year will only begin
from the 19th of February 2015. With
the more harmony combo in the annual
BaZi chart, Good FengShui foresees the
Wood Goat year to be a more auspicious
year.
The Number 3-Green Star is of the
Wood element, and therefore clashes
with the Number 5-Yellow Earth Star
found in the centre sector of the Flying
Stars chart for the 8th FengShui Period.
Moreover, the yearly elements, being
excessive with strong clashes between
the Wood and Earth elements, cause the
Earth element to become scorched, thus
this situation brings about challenges to
the land and property sectors in 2015,
especially before the 3rd quarter of 2015.
BY KENNY HOO
In the year 2015, Good FengShui
foresees that there will be lots of couples
lining up for marriages, moving into
new houses, having babies and other
great celebratory events. This likely
translates to good business for bridal
shops, restaurants, hospitals, obstetricians,
gynaecologists, paediatricians,
and businesses or sectors related to
renovation and painting.
The general public will also receive
wedding invitations from family
members and friends more frequently
than usual! Thus one can leverage the
opportunities arising in order to benefit
throughout the whole year.
The 2015 Good FengShui® Lucky
Colour of the year is ORANGE colour.
Like the awakening morning sunlight
that gives new hope to all, it reenergizes
and motivates the body, mind and soul.
It also represents the beginning of a
brighter future for all. Orange colour can
bring hope to all, especially important
after the ups and downs with numerous
challenging incidents experienced last
year.
Orange colour represents Earth
element, which is the most auspicious
element in 2015. Orange is the colour of
joy and creativity, as it provides the
feelings of happiness, warmth, heat,
sunshine, enthusiasm, success,
motivation, encouragement, change,
determination, health, stimulation,
enjoyment, balance, freedom, expression
and fascination.
Orange colour also carries the
meanings of optimistic and sociable.
It is able to trigger good working partners
and out-of-the-box thinking.
For instance, placing decorative items
or painting the feature wall in Orange
colour in the Southwest and South
sectors of the house or office can bring
forth lots of positive energy that promotes
new hopes, good health, wealth,
harmony and prosperity.
20 february-march, green+.2015

COLUMN
Aerial view
of The Loft
Residences
Good FengShui Converge Water
Technique® is the highest skill in
FengShui implementation. However,
only the truly experienced FengShui
master is able to suggest vividly such
crucial implementations.
Instead, using suitable colour
combination is able to achieve
good FengShui functional
effects. For instance, painting
Copper Orange colour,
combines with Green colour
in the Southwest sector can
trigger lots of positive Qi
that brings plenty of
celebratory events
in 2015, such as job
upgrades, greater
health, marriage
and baby luck.
Painting Blue
colour in the
North sector
can bring forth
greater wealth
luck.
The inauspicious
sectors in 2015 are
West, Southeast and
the Centre. Avoid any
renovation in these
sectors in the year of
2015. Avoid painting the
Southeast and West
areas in red no yellow
colours.
Instead, use white
or blue colours to create
more harmonious Qi
in these areas. Use
more reddish or purple
colours in the Centre
area can reduce the
possibility of argument
and legal issues and be
more harmony in all
undertakings.
Painting a feature
wall in the South area
in Green colour can
bring forth strong wealth luck in 2015.
If possible, one must avoid any renovation
be done in the Southwest and
Northeast in the house or office, from
the 4th of February, 2015 to the 3rd of
February, 2016.
Do not paint the bedroom in red,
pink, brown or yellow as these
colours represent fire and earth
elements. It can cause sickness
and create misfortune especially
when the inauspicious yearly
forces reach the room area.
Blue, green or purple are the
preferred colours.
In 2014, the East sector
was occupied by the
2-Black negative star.
Therefore, the Eastern
countries such as
China and Japan
faced lots of challenges
in various
aspects and industries.
However, from
the 4th of February
2015 onwards, the
negative star will be
away and to be replaced
by the very auspicious
and positive Qi, i.e. the
Number-1 Wealth Star.
We, therefore, foresee
that there will be various
good, new business opportunities
to emerge in the
Eastern areas and countries
especially in China
and India in year 2015.
In Malaysia, Good
FengShui foresees that
there will be more investment
opportunities such
as property investment to
appear in East Malaysia
and East coastal States in
the Peninsula of Malaysia.
These areas include
Pahang and Sabah.
Especially in Kota
The Loft Residences
Copper-Orange
colour on wall
in Main Living
Area
Kinabalu, Sabah, there will be more
property development projects that
can continue to attract purchasers and
investors from overseas. Especially
the property projects with strategic
location, mixed development, more
innovative design concepts, and good
FengShui features, such as The Loft
Residences, shall continue to receive
influxes of purchasers or investors
from all over the places.
Good FengShui foresees that there
will be greater rooms for further
appreciation especially in those property
projects with better design and
FengShui features. Generally property
sector shall continue to be active again
from the 3rd quarter onward.
green+.2015 , february-march 21

INNOVATION
A total of 14
SMEs have
benefitted from
the Eco-Innovation
Consulting Services;
33 Eco Innovation
workshops have been
organised for SMEs,
government agencies
and the academia, while
six EIDC services on
product sustainability
evaluation based
on LCA have been
utilised.”
President and Chief Executive of SIRIM Berhad
Dato’ Dr Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof
22 february-march, green+.2015

INNOVATION
Embracing eco-design
SIRIM’s Eco Industrial Design Centre (EIDC) set to assist local design and manufacturing industries
BY KEVIN WONG
SIRIM’S latest offering in industrial
technology, the Eco Industrial
Design Centre (EIDC), is set to provide
assistance to SMEs especially from
Electronics & Electrical sector with
cutting edge eco-design and rapid prototyping
technology.
The Centre will provide support to these SMEs
in order for them to advance in design and manufacturing
value chain by providing affordable and
approachable services in the areas of conceptual
and design developments as well as prototyping
services.
The setting up of EIDC, valued at RM6.55 million
was entrusted to SIRIM Berhad by PEMANDU
under the Electronics and Electrical (E&E)
National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) initiatives.
The EIDC, located in SIRIM Bukit Jalil, Kuala
Lumpur among other things, also offers
assistance to local industries in the production
of environmental-friendly products through eco
innovation; hence enhancing the industries for
global competitiveness. The Centre will create
a pool of industrial designers through talent
development programmes in collaboration with
local training Institutes.
VALUE TO SMES
President and Chief Executive of SIRIM Berhad,
Dato’ Dr Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof said that
SIRIM’s EIDC also conducts training of Life Cycle
Assessment and promotes product life cycle
consulting services and Greenhouse Gases
accounting or carbon footprint.
To date, the Centre has provided 75 Rapid
Prototyping Services to at least five sectors
besides the electrical and electronic sector;
and three Eco Industrial Design projects covering
design of a LED downlight / luminaire, a
switchboard with improved environmental
performance and establishing the criteria for a
green+.2015 , february-march 23

INNOVATION
green data centre.
“A total of 14 SMEs have benefitted
from the Eco-Innovation Consulting
Services; 33 Eco Innovation workshops
have been organised for SMEs, government
agencies and the academia,
while six EIDC services on product
sustainability evaluation based on LCA
have been utilised”, said Dato’ Dr Zainal
Abidin.
He said the centre also collaborated
with local universities for a carbon footprint
calculation training programme
for lecturers of Universiti Tun Hussein
Onn, and in providing key resource
person for a joint workshop on LCA
under the purview of Segi University
and Ensearch Malaysia.
As an expansion of the current
technical services that include environmental
performance evaluation of
products, eco-design and rapid prototyping
offered by EIDC, SIRIM will be
expanding its Eco-Innovation Service
to embed sustainability into business
strategies and business models that will
also cover identification of new market
segments for eco-products.
The EIDC is equipped with the following
facilities to enhance design
capabilities and design outputs namely:
s Industrial Styling Software
s CAD/CAM/CAE Software
s Product Sustainability Software
s Additive Manufacturing Systems,
such as:
s Stereo Lithography Apparatus
(SLA)
s Fused Deposition Machine
(FDM)
s Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
s Compact Multi-material 3D
Printer
s On-site measurement
equipment for training purposes
(e.g. solar 300N, power quality
and energy analyzer and portable
LCD projector)
s Infrastructure development
of facilities to enhance rapid
prototyping services (e.g. Sand
Blaster; Industrial Vacuum)
s On-site Solar Measurement
Equipment
s Eco-design Showcase Hall for
display of eco-designs and
eco-products.
ECO-SAVVY INTEGRATION
EIDC’s General Manager Azhar Ahmad
said the Centre’s environmental
technology research counterpart
analyses the environmental impact of
every single component of a product
right up to its disposal. It encompasses
everything including carbon footprints,
energy consumption, water utilization
and many more.
s Helps to identify inefficiency
and promote cost savings
in the processes and value
chain
s Provides product and/
or service differentiation
s Enhances brand value and
makes the products more
attractive to potential
customers
s Supports the Government
Green Procurement (GGP)
initiative
s Facilitates access to the
global marketplace
“We provide the full range of
eco-integration,” says Azhar. “The ecodesign
team look for ways to improve
on designs and replace materials with
greener options to lower a product’s
carbon footprint,” he explained.
The centre can be broadly segmented
into two parts:
s The science portion offer
solutions on how a manufacturer
can improve on their product;
s The engineering portion analyses
the strength of the product.
“The industrial designers not
only take care of the aesthetics, but
also look into redesigning the weak
points and flaws,” he added.
EMBRACING GLOBAL
TRENDS
Azhar points out that it has become
necessary for local manufacturers
to embrace global trends to expand
their market reach, especially as
the Malaysian market alone is not
sufficient.
“The bigger companies who are
exporting realise the standards are
there. If you really want to penetrate
the market, you have no choice.
Even China is going green,” he said.
Although Malaysia might have
some catching-up to do, the integral
elements and technology are well in
place to progress.
“The experience is there. It is
important now to let people know
that we have to start somewhere.
This is the way and time to go
green”, Azhar concluded.
24 february-march, green+.2015

MDBC Nite
H.E. Harry Molenaar , the Ambassador for Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (front row center) with new members as they are welcomed to the MDBC.
A jolly, prachtige night
Left to right:
Hennie Kuiper
(Dutch former
professional road
racing cyclist
and Olympic gold
medal winner
at the Munich
Olympics),
Marco Winter
(MDBC Executive
Board of
Directors Director), being
and
Herman
introduced
Kulkamp
(Product &
to members
Marketing
and Director,
guests in
PC
attendance Advanced at
the MDBC Composite) New
Year reception.
THE Malaysian-Dutch
Business Council held a
New Year reception for
their members and special
guests at the residence of
Dutch ambassador to Malaysia, Harry
Molenaar, on Jan 19.
About 200 people attended the
event, including an Olympic gold medal
winner, Hennie Kuiper, a road racing
cyclist.
Molenaar welcomed the guests and
said he hoped for greater Malaysian-
Dutch business interaction and
collaboration.
MDBC chairman Zainul Rahim
introduced his executive committee
members, and added though the
Council had made great strides he was
hopeful of more co-operation between
the two business communities.
green+.2015 , february-march 25

ENVIRONMENT
We also bring
awareness to the
business community
on how to take care of
business waste.”
Chief Executive Officer of Alam Flora Sdn Bhd
Mohd Zain Hassan
Alam Flora compactors are
equipped with AVLS system to
improve operational efficiency for
customer satisfaction.
26 february-march, green+.2015

ENVIRONMENT
THE understanding of waste management
has always been taken for
granted. Some, or if not majority,
of us have no clue how, where and
what becomes of the waste we dispose,
be it at home or at work.
Incorporated in 1995, Alam Flora Sdn Bhd
is one of the leading environmental management
companies in Malaysia, dedicated to
serve communities to manage and reduce
household wastes with minimal environmental
impact.
However, what happens to the commercial
waste and waste from the business
community?
In an exclusive interview with Green+’s
KEVIN WONG, Chief Executive Officer of Alam
Flora Sdn Bhd, Mohd Zain Hassan speaks
about the commencement DRB HICOM
Environmental Services Sdn Bhd (DHES) and
its services.
G+: We understand that DRB HICOM
Environmental Services Sdn Bhd (DHES) is a
wholly owned subsidiary by Alam Flora Sdn
Bhd. Could you please tell us more on what
ignited the spark to the commencing of DHES?
ZAIN: Alam Flora is a concession company
entrusted by the government to deal with
waste management, collecting domestic or
household waste. However, who is in charge
of clearing commercial waste, and also waste
from the business community? That is what
ignited the spark to the commencing of DRB
HICOM Environmental Services Sdn Bhd
(DHES).
G+: How long has DHES been operating for?
ZAIN: DHES is only about 18 months old, very
much still in its infant stage for a company.
G+: What are DHES’ main activities?
ZAIN: There are three main activities which
DHES is currently involved in:
We are doing IFM, Integrated Facilities
Management which covers maintenance of
buildings, pest control, security, CCTV, fire,
safety and whatnot.
Waste management for ICI, Institutional
like offices, commercial like shop lots, hoteliers,
industrial.
With the scrap metal business and also in
recyclables, like textiles and cooking oil.
G+: Would you care to share with us the current
performance of DHES?
ZAIN: Even as an infant company, we already
have more than 400 clients. They are mainly
from Kuala Lumpur and some from Putrajaya
and Pahang.
We also cover the northern regions of
Malaysia when it comes to institutional.
Basically, DHES has no boundaries within the
concession area of Alam Flora is doing. We
cover all of Malaysia.
G+: How big has DHES grown as a company
Understanding
commercial waste
management
Wastes from the business community do not necessarily go
to the same landfill as domestic waste
One of Alam
Flora’s several
landfills
since it began?
ZAIN: As of today, we have about 120 workers
and 40 vehicles on the ground. Their performance
has been great.
We are looking forward to improve and be
better.
G+: How is DHES different from other environmental
management service providers?
ZAIN: As DHES is under Alam Flora, we have
well-experienced people with the right set
skills to get the job done. Also, we are equipped
with a wide range of machineries to meet the
needs of everyone. For examples, we have
high-rise cleaning machinery that we use
to clean a university in Pekan. This is what I
believe makes DHES different from other
service providers.
G+: What are the current issue faced by DHES
in the context of solid waste management
and what would you suggest to improve the
situation?
ZAIN: The issues that DHES is facing are
the lack of understanding from the business
community about where and how and what to
do to dispose waste.
Wastes that come from paint, workshop
oils can’t go to the same landfill where household
wastes go. These kind of wastes need
to be managed properly. At the same time,
the wastes from the business community
does not necessary go to the same landfill as
domestic waste collected by Alam Flora.
Adding to that, some businesses would
rather opt for smaller players because of lower
cost. However, the waste may not end up at
the proper landfill and it will be seen as illegal
dumping.
G+: What actions will/has DHES taken to solve
these issues?
ZAIN: Currently, DHES is working to produce
our latest corporate profile and corporate
video to educate people how to dispose these
wastes. For example, for hazardous waste and
schedule waste, we want to educate the community
how to dispose them properly.
By creating awareness and engaging
with the business community, they too
must also play their part in taking care of the
environment.
At DHES, we are just doing the business
green+.2015 , february-march 27

ENVIRONMENT
but we also bring awareness to the
business community on how take care
of the business waste, we are not only
the collector but also consultant of the
waste management.
G+: What are the future plans for DHES?
ZAIN: Apart from the three core businesses
I mentioned to you earlier;
waste management collection from
ICI, ISM building maintenance both
indoor and outdoor and metal scrap
and recyclables, DHES is looking into
the solar energy/power business. We
are researching it very closely, looking
at investments cost, meeting requirements
under SEDA and get the fit-in
tariff from the government if we carried
out the plan. So at this moment, we are
still very much researching the matter.
At the same time, we are looking
at the biodiesel possibilities. We have
gotten the license from Malaysia
Palm Oil Board (MPOB), we are also
researching on cooking oil to biodiesel.
We collected 52,000 litres last year. We
plan to do more.
Adding to that, we are doing a
consultancy to manage and construct
landfill for domestic waste. Another
project we are working on for ISM,
DHES has been running an energy
efficiency program in this building.
DHES’
customer
care crew
In the toilets in this building, we
have installed sensors for the lights
to save electricity. This is one of the
few programmes that we will offer to
offices and the public.
Right now, it is very important to
reach out to the people. This is because
there are some individuals who do not
see the importance of cleanliness, and
taking care of the environment.
G+: How is DHES reaching out to the
people?
ZAIN: In Alam Flora and DHES, we reach
out to the people through our hardworking
ladies at customer care services.
Their duties are not just to answer
telephone calls from customers but
they go to the ground to meet with them
within a time-frame of three months.
The people could be either from business
communities or residents.
My strategy is to reach out, meet
them and make a programme and
advise them according to their needs.
We do not just reach out through
television ads, corporate videos,
newsletters, magazines but to meet the
people in person.
We are looking forward to have
awareness program and look to offer
program to give solutions for everyone.
28 february-march, green+.2015

ENVIRONMENT
ALAM FLORA Sdn Bhd
(Alam Flora) is planning
a special programme to
encourage 3R (Reduce,
Reuse and Recycle) in
areas where they operate to realise the
government’s target to achieve 20 %
recycling rate by 2020.
Commenting on these efforts,
Alam Flora Chief Executive, Mohd Zain
Hassan, said the solid waste management
company took the proactive step
to create a squad of agents called Alam
Flora Eco Rangers.
The main task of these special
agents is to help educate and bring
awareness and information to the public
at large about the importance of recycling
through activities by using roving
methods; patrolling from one area to
another.
“Roving is an increasingly popular
method in this country, where information
conveyed to the public directly is
more concise, simple and fast,” added
said Mohd Zain.
According to Mohd Zain, the creation
of Alam Flora Rangers is timely, and
the method will be used to disseminate
information widely about separating
waste at source. This will become
mandatory for public to practice and will
Alam Flora’s special
agents for 3R programme
Eco Rangers will conduct talks and distribute leaflets related to
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Roving is an increasingly
popular method in this
country, where information
conveyed to the public
directly is more concise,
simple and fast.”
Alam Flora Chief Executive,
Mohd Zain Hassan
Mohd Zain and his Eco
Rangers interact with
Putrajaya residents
be carried out in stages, starting this
September.
The Eco Rangers comprise Alam
Flora staff who will stop by at 4-5 key
public locations such as playgrounds,
markets and recreation centres for
30-45 minutes each time.
The Eco Rangers will conduct talks
and distribute leaflets related to 3R.
In addition, prizes will also available
during 3R Pop Quiz and freebies will be
distributed by the agents.
Mohd Zain added the Eco Rangers
patrols would begin in Putrajaya and
Alam Flora will monitor its effectiveness
before expanding to other areas
such as Kuala Lumpur and Pahang.
Mohd Zain added recycling campaigns
would be held continuously to
raise awareness and instil a culture of
recycling in everyday life.
green+.2015 , february-march 29

COLUMN
Gene-Harn currently works as a Green Building Consultant at IEN Consultants based in Bangsar.
The architecture masters student and urban cyclist is passionate towards the potential benefits of sustainable
urban design and green buildings towards the aspect of social, environment and economy for a better world.
Nuclear power plants - don’t
we really have other options?
“IF OUR nation wants to reduce global
warming, air pollution and energy
instability, we should invest only
in the best energy options. Nuclear
energy isn’t one of them.” Mark
Z. Jacobson, Stanford University’s Director of
Atmosphere and Energy Program, once published
“A Plan to Power 100 Percent of the Planet
with Renewables by 2030” in Scientific American
2009.
Then, nations were in the state of utter disbelief
if told to scrap nuclear plants from their
energy mix. However, today even just after
half a decade, the global landscape of renewable
energy and nuclear power has changed
tremendously.
Denmark, with a pioneering wind-power
program, is above 40 per cent renewable power
on its electric grid, and aiming for 50 percent by
2020 and subsequently 100 percent by 2050.
The Germans, known for its nuclear program,
is responding the Fukushima’s incident
Engaging the right questions with the right crowd
by phasing out its nuclear sector by 2022. They
are also aiming for 80 per cent renewables in
their electricity supply by 2050 too, with its 30
per cent achieved as per 2014. In high times of
pro-nuclear arguments as advocated via the
documentary “Pandora’s Promise” and yet,
a catastrophic nuclear plant meltdown and
decreasing nuclear operating capacity globally,
it is time for us to come clean with our argument
cards opened with unbiased evidence for the
better of human progress.
MALAYSIA’S ENERGY JOURNEY
Malaysia’s framework for energy development in
terms of energy diversification, efficient utilisation
and emphasis on sustainable environmental
can be seen via several milestones. The 1979’s
National Energy Policy was formulated to ensure
stability in supply and utilisation, 1980’s National
Depletion Policy was to safeguard the depleting
crude oil and natural gas reserves, 1981’s
Four Fuel Diversification Policy emphasized
natural gas to become the major fuel in electricity
generation, and 2000’s Fifth Fuel Policy
which made renewable energy as the fifth fuel
during the Eight Malaysia Plan (8MP 2001-2005).
Subsequently, we saw the establishment of
National Green Tech Policy during 2009 and
SEDA in 2011. It can be seen that the electricity
generation quadrupled from 1992 to 2012.
THE JOURNEY TO NUCLEAR
POWER PLANTS
In the pursuit to ensure that energy supply in
Malaysia is sufficient and cost effective and to
safeguard our regional competitiveness in
trade and industry as per our aspiration of high
income nation by 2020, it is projected the two
nuclear power plants (NPP) of 1000MW each
are projected to be built, with the first unit to
be commissioned in 2021. Under the Economic
Transformation Program formulated in 2010,
this falls under Entry Point Project 11 with the
estimated cost of RM21.3 billion. The idea of
Illustrating Malaysia’s Electricity Generation
Mix 1990-2012. Source: National Energy
Balance 2012. Illustrating the detailed timeline on the NPP deployment during NKEA OGE Laboratory 2010.
30 february-march, green+.2015

COLUMN
Board of Governors criticized Iran for
possibilities of undertaken research
and experiments geared to developing a
nuclear weapons capability, after falling
short of reliable reports on the processing
methodology in Iran. Afterall, how
do we ensure energy security when
nuclear fuel is finite and being imported
which subjects Malaysia’s energy security
to various externalities beyond its
control?
Nuclear energy started with the formation
of Nuclear Power Development Steering
Committee (JPPKN) and three working
committees in 2009 with the allocation of
RM25 million in 2010-2012. Subsequently,
Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation
(MNPC) was formed in early 2011 as
the acting Nuclear Energy Programme
Implementing Organisation (NEPIO) as
recommended by International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA). The corporation,
which is administered by the Prime
Minister’s Department, has completed
a preliminary feasibility study and site
selection & ranking in July 2011 by short
listing five potential sites.
It is presumed that MNPC is tightlipped
on its full feasibility study progress
and site investigation although it is clearly
behind as per the timeline on nuclear
power deployment presented back in
2010 then. While some optimism has
been fuelling the pro nuclear agenda,
the equivalent resistance on the idea or
approach of NPP is led by various NGOs.
Anak Malaysia Anti Nuklear (AMAN), a
grass root movement with its Chairman
Dato’ Dr. Ronald McCoy has highlighted
the seven potential NPP sites and criticized
that the decision to resort to NPP as
an alternative to fossil fuel is a fundamentally
flawed decision. Stating that the NPP
is geared by ongoing dissemination of
false information by the nuclear industry
with no genuine transparency or public
consultation, AMAN believes that NPP
is not safe, not clean, not cheap, and not
needed.
NOT SAFE – MORE THAN
RADIOACTIVE
It is very convenient for the government
to promise that the NPP would
be subject to international safeguards,
scrutiny and verification by the IAEA
and that Malaysian law enforcement
agencies and regulatory bodies would
not fail to ensure the safety and security
of the plant. Fukushima is the wake-up
call for all thirty countries operating NPP
and for those governments still planning
to build NPP, such as Malaysia, with its
questionable safety and maintenance
culture and unreliable regulatory attitudes.
Chernobyl and Fukushima have
made it clear that any NPP is a ticking
time bomb, as human error and unpredictable
events are real risks. Even now
after four years, Japan, the most advance
nation in NPP is struggling and has no
idea on treating the ever increasing
contaminated radioactive water that is
used to cool the fuel rods.
Global nuclear capacity has stagnated
for 20 years, particular after the
Fukushima incident. The number of
operating nuclear reactors has fallen
significantly since 2002. Today, only
31 countries are operating 388 nuclear
reactors, compared with 438 in 2002.
The share of nuclear power in the world
has declined from 17.6 per cent in 1996
to 10.8 per cent in 2013. Only 14 countries
have plans to build new reactors.
Moreover, the Malaysian development
plan to build NPP will be an absurd
paradox as Malaysia has always supported
the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Nuclear weapons and nuclear power
are Siamese twins. Sharing much of the
infrastructure, there is ample evidence
of close links between civil nuclear
reactors and nuclear weapons, such
as uranium enrichment, reprocessing
of spent fuel or the extraction of
plutonium. In November 2011, the IAEA
Dato’ Dr
Ronald McCoy
(extreme left),
chairman of
AMAN, during
the Anti Nuclear
Forum 2015.
Seven
identified
potential
locations of
Nuclear Power
Plants at
Peninsular.
NOT CLEAN, NOT ETHICAL,
NOT RESPONSIBLE
One of the misleading statements often
used by pro-nuclear activist is that NPP
is a “Green Technology” that has zero
carbon emission, which ties in very well
with Malaysia’s voluntary reduction of
40% GDP carbon emission intensity by
2020 as per 2005 levels. If we take into
account the whole nuclear fuel cycle,
a nuclear power plant indirectly emits
between 376,000 and 1,300,000 tonnes
of carbon dioxide per year. Compared
to Renewable Energy (RE), electricity
produced from NPP actually releases
4 to 5 times more carbon dioxide per
unit of energy produced. This is due
to the mining and enrichment phase
which both require significant energy
consumption and the radioactive waste
management across ten thousand years
or more.
NPP is no doubt an inherently and
irredeemably an interminable threat to
human health and safety. The acceptance
of nuclear power by the Malaysian
government could be translated as a
terribly misguided development policy
which the government and people
of Malaysia will greatly regret for
generations to come. If we revisit 1972
Stockholm Declaration, Principle 1 on
environmental rights, it says “Man
has the fundamental right to freedom,
equality and adequate conditions of
life, in an environment of a quality that
green+.2015 , february-march 31

COLUMN
Showing the inefficient life cycle energy input of NPP (Source from Dutch Independent Nuclear
Report http://www.stormsmith.nl/).
permits a life of dignity and well-being, and
he bears a solemn responsibly to protect and
improve the environment for present and
future generations.” Doesn’t this reflect that
the decision of NPP is also a direct violation in
accordance environmental rights? What more
religious principles?
NOT CHEAP – LOOKING AT THE
TOTALITY COST
The Malaysian government and vested interests
have erroneously underestimated the
long term economic cost of nuclear power.
Misleading estimates, based on unverifiable
bottom-line results, are ‘justified’ by analysis
with hidden assumptions favourable to the
nuclear industry and accounting methods that
lacks transparency. Generally, the capital costs
of nuclear power have more than double over
the past decade, and that is yet to add on the
huge costs of nuclear waste management and
decommissioning. The ratings and risk firm,
Moody’s Corporate Finances, recently estimated
that nuclear energy’s capital cost per
kilowatt is higher than wind and solar energy
by 275% and 150% respectively. Numerous Wall
Street studies have estimated that electricity
from RE sources costs an average of 6 US cents
per kWh, while NPP electricity costs about 12
to 20 US cents per kWh, excluding the cost of
any catastrophic nuclear accident (in which
Fukushima is currently incurring an estimated
economic loss of USD 200-500 billion.
With this, it is doubtful that the NPP budgetary
estimation of RM21.3 billion remains
truthful. One should also be aware in terms of
life-cycle energy inputs, NPP has the highest
energy payback period (6.5 to 14 years) in
comparison with RE such as solar (1.5 year) and
wind turbine (

COLUMN
IEA Energy
Efficiency
Market Report
showing the
“first fuel”
, avoided
energy use
from energy
efficiency from
11 IEA member
countries.
Analogy of
prioritizing
energy
conservation &
efficiency over
new source of
supply.
ridiculous than concluding the need for
NPP when we have obviously not fully
explored the options for RE and EE yet.
GOING FORWARD
The global nuclear industry faces a
bleak future. It has so far survived on
false promises, untested premises,
entrenched thinking and democratic
deficits. We have the expertise to run
successful EE programs, together with
all the sunshine, mini-hydro and wind
that possibly be needed. The barriers to
greater commercialization of all these
things are no longer technological; they
are political and institutional. All that is
needed to switch to cheaper, cleaner
ways of providing energy is to lift the
political and institutional barriers. With
nuclear plants on the playing cards, it’s
crucial time for both government and
opposition to reveal and debate openly
about energy and environment policies,
while witnessed and engaged by all level
of societies so an informed decision can
be made for Malaysia’s energy future.
But, one thing remains clear, ethically
speaking, is there anyone around for
hundreds or thousands of years to hold
accountability for the radioactive waste
that will be passed down to our future
generation on this only one planet?
The Author thanks Anak Malaysia Anti
Nuklear (AMAN) for the resources
green+.2015 , february-march 33

COLUMN
PART 1
Zaini Abdul
Wahab is
a principal
consultant
& director of
Connecys Sdn
Bhd which
specialiszes in
consultancy
for sustainable
energy
management
system. He was
also Director
of Energy
Efficiency at
Sustainable
Energy
Development
Authority
(SEDA) Malaysia
and led the
national EE
initiatives
under ETP and
also was the
key resource
person in the
drafting of EE
& Conservation
Act by the
Ministry of
Energy, Green
Technology and
Water
BY ZAINI ABDUL WAHAB
WHAT I share in this
article is mainly
based on my personal
experiences as
Registered Electrical
Energy Manager (REEM) and other
fellow REEMs when we went through
the application process to become a
REEM and now delivering REEM services
to the affected large energy users.
I was also involved deeply and directly
in planning and the early stage of the
implementation of Efficient management
of Electrical Energy Regulations
2008 (EMEER 2008) when I was working
with the regulator between 2008
and 2011.
What is Efficient Management Of
Electrical Energy Regulations 2008?
The EMEER 2008 is one of the regulations
enabled under the Electricity
Supply Act 1990. It was approved in
Roles of energy
managers in Malaysia
Merely for legal compliances or as catalyst for efficient
management of energy for large energy users
BY ZAINI
ABDUL WAHAB
2008 with the effective date from
15 December in the same year and
the regulation is enforced by Energy
Commission which has jurisdictions on
electricity supply sector in Peninsula
Malaysia and Sabah.
In general, there are three main
parties that are involved in the implementation
of EMEER 2008 which are
the Energy Commission(the regulator),
installations affected by the regulations
and REEMs. The other party that is
also involved is the electricity suppliers
licensed by the regulator such
as Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Sabah
Electricity Sdn Bhd.
The Figure below illustrates parties
involved in EMEER 2008 implementation.
Further in this section, overview of
roles are expected to be played by each
parties are briefly described to enable
the law to achieve its objectives.
The Regulator
Obviously the biggest roles that need
to be played are by the regulator
especially in the early part of the implementation
and later in the enforcement.
34 february-march, green+.2015

COLUMN
The regulator is expected to have
strong in-house competencies energy
efficiency capacity within the organization
to enable them to perform their
functions effectively especially when
installations and REEMs refer to them
for clarity about provisions in the law
and assistance on how to practically
move towards the compliance.
Just like any other law, the enforcement
and monitoring by the regulator is
also crucial to ensure the good impacts
that could be resulted from EMEER 2008
compliance.
On-going enforcement activities
by a well structured plan and effective
strategy by competent personnel
within the regulator would ensure the
regulations will achieve its intended
objectives.
The in-house capacity and competent
personnel in energy efficiency
implementation within the regulator
would be able provide basic guide and
advisory to the affected installations
and REEMs for them to be able to understand
the actual spirit behind EMEER
2008 rather than just for compliance.
Monitoring for compliance towards
the regulations should also be followed
by impact study by analyzing data and
information submitted by affected
installation and to review its implementation
for further improvements.
Bear in mind the main spirit of
compliance towards energy efficiency
related laws like EMEER 2008 is to
enable facilities affected to achieve
energy savings and to sustain it for
better results and therefore, their
efforts need supports from the
regulator or other relevant government
agencies in the following areas:
Technical assistance , advisory
and necessary guidelines on the best
practices to be followed in energy
management;
Education and awareness among
decision makers on the benefits of
implementing effective energy management
activities;
Incentives for investments for big
scare energy efficiency projects such
as existing fiscal incentives given by the
government through exemption from
taxes and investment tax allowances;
and
Reward or recognition schemes
for affected installation to create more
awareness and sharing of key success
factors with others to emulate.
Affected Installations or large electrical
energy users
For large energy users, compliance
to requirements of the regulation should
be seen as the minimum requirements
that need to be fulfilled since in most
successful stories of energy efficiency
initiatives or energy management
implementation, more are needed to be
done in order to see significant impacts
in energy savings from implementing
energy management activities.
What they need to have to ensure
desired results to be achieved is to
ddevelop and implement energy
management program holistically with
in-house capacity to implement saving
measures identified.
The introduction of energy management
system standard ISO50001 in
2011 has provided all installations with
a standardized approach and methodology
to have a sustainable energy
management system as a step by step
guidance.
REEMs
Among the key roles of REEMs are to
ensure compliance for installations
where there are appointed as the REEM
where there are expected to perform
functions and duties as outlined in general
in Regulation 16 of EMEER 2008.
Petronas Twin
Towers
Intensive
energy users
in industrial
and commercial
building facilities
are required to
engaged energy
managers to
assist in efficient
management of
their electrical
energy.
Other key roles can be played are to
provide expert advices and assistance
in electrical energy management and
energy saving measures which will
help affected installations to identify
and implement energy saving measures
and later monitoring energy
performances from energy management
activities.
To ensure they also are equipped
and updated in knowledge and
technologies related to energy management,
REEMs are also required to
continuously develop themselves by
attending relevant programs such as
training and seminars.
Energy Commission’s role in
educating the installations is directly
linked to REEMs that they have certified.
REEMs need to be seen as their
“representative” because if REEMs are
not able to convince the installations
about the benefits from compliance
with Efficient Management of Electrical
Energy Regulations 2008, Energy
Commission will be left alone to do it.
This is another one reason why roles
need to be played by REEMs are so crucial
to ensure the success of Efficient
Management of Electrical Energy
Regulations 2008 implementation.
In the same time REEMs and
affected installations also need to be
green+.2015 , february-march 35

COLUMN
guided and the only party who can do
that is the regulator itself because what
is happening now is the true spirit of
EMEER 2008 is not fully understood for
them to see the positive impacts that
could be resulted from the enforcement
of the law. There must me a synchronized
efforts among the regulator,
REEMs and affected installations to act
on roles as specified in the law for us to
see the actual positive impacts from the
introduction of Efficient Management
of Electrical Energy Regulations 2008.
Electricity suppliers
The roles of electricity suppliers are
clearly prescribed in EMEER 2008 with
the obligation to supply the information
of the affected installation to the
regulator.
Other than those obligations,
electricity suppliers are expected to
assist the regulator in creating general
awareness on the importance of efficient
management of energy among
their customer’s especially intensive
electricity users.
Key provisions in EMEER 2008
In general, EMEER 2008 is a very brief
law with minimal requirements in term
of its definitions and contents although
it is a regulation where normally has
details in the form of appendices and
specific instructions.
My understanding and belief is all
requirements in any energy efficiency
law. It has the spirit to educate and
assist to comply rather than to jump
into punishing whoever committing
any offense under the law. That is what
I can see on how energy efficiency laws
being enforced in other countries such
as Japan where making offenders to be
punished or to pay hefty penalties is the
last thing should be done.
TNB and SESB
are have
obligations
to furnish
the regulator
on intensive
energy users
as stipulated in
EMEER 2008.
There are not much detailed definitions
in EMEER 2008 anyway and the
common terminologies in energy management
such as energy audit, energy
policy, objective and targets are also not
clearly defined.
There are two key provisions in
EMEER 2008 that covered in energy
management related subjects. They
are Regulation 6 with information on
what need to be submitted by affected
installations to Energy Commission
upon received the notice to comply with
the regulations.
Then, if we have a close look at
provisions in Regulation 16 with regard
to the roles of energy manager in the
regulations, we should understand that
the regulations is all about to ensure
all affected installations to manage
their energy efficiently through the
submission of information, records
and documents to the regulator as
prescribed. To assist each installation
to be energy efficient, the appointment
of a REEM is a mandatory requirement
and the regulator need to qualify
REEMs to ensure they will have certain
competency and experiences in energy
management to ensure affected installations
to comply and more importantly
to achieve energy savings.
All what it takes to comply is by
adopting energy management system
since all mandatory requirements in
the regulations are a part of elements
in management system itself such as
reporting, having an energy policy and
objectives and also the appointment of
energy manager for the organization.
The copy of EMEER 2008 and other
related information in its enforcement
can be downloaded from www.
st.gov.my.
Roles of energy managers
As some who was personally involved
with EMEER way back from its drafting
stage till enforcement, there have been
a lot of queries asked to the regulator at
the early years of the implementation
of EMEER 2008.
What are the roles of REEM that can
benefit the facilities?
How much should I pay for a REEM for
their services?
How many installations for REEM can
be appointed?
How much should REEM charge for
each installation?
Will REEM help us to save energy ?
Is energy audit is compulsory and if
yes, what type of energy audit that
need to be carried out?
The above are often very difficult
questions to answer as the owners or
the person in-charge of energy at the
installations before they engage someone
as their REEM.
Functions and duties of REEMs
according to the requirements of
EMEER 2008 are prescribed in a very
general provision in Regulation 16 and
briefly specified as follows:
to audit and analyse the total electrical
energy consumption or generation;
to advise in developing and implementing
measures to ensure efficient
management of electrical energy at the
installation;
to monitor effective implementation
of the measures;
to supervise the keeping of records
on efficient management of electrical
energy at the installation and verify its
accuracy; and
to ensure the timely submission of
36 february-march, green+.2015

COLUMN
information and reports under the regulations
by the installations.
Based on the above list, REEMs’ roles
under EMEER 2008 are very briefly defined
and, meanwhile, for the implementation of
any effective energy management system,
the energy manager is one of key members
in a typical internal energy management
organization with well defined roles for each
member in the setup where roles to meet
the legal or other requirements could also fall
under energy manager.
For organisations that are implementing
Energy management system based on
ISO50001, energy manager may be the same
person as the management representative
and the position is often not a full time job.
For example, maintenance or engineering
manager or engineer or probably a technical
person with energy engineering knowledge
normally appointed as an energy manager at
the facilities.
The typical roles assigned would be to
implement and owns the energy management
system, to manage energy consumption and
will act as an auditee for the energy management
system as well.
However, the roles for energy manager
vary with organisation which mainly focusing
on energy management system implementation,
budgeting for energy management
activities and energy saving projects and
reporting.
One of the key roles as an energy manager
is acting as a “bridge” between the management
and the operational personnel and must
be well trained and has deep understanding
in energy management system concepts and
possible strategies for implementation.
Other key roles and responsibilities for
energy managers can be defined as follows:
Maintaining, conducting and coordinating
facilities for energy consumption and
conservation;
Improving and supervising energy usage;
Assistance in energy related contracts or
equipment purchasing;
Identify initial and on-going training and
developments needs for energy management
team members;
Submit regular reports to top management
on energy consumption trends, load development,
energy saving results and potential
areas can be improved; and
Ensure compliance towards regulatory
requirements.
The table below outlines other potential
roles, tasks and documentation related to
energy managers in organizations.
Before the introduction EMEER 2008 in
Malaysia, among the reasons given by personnel
who intended to implement energy
saving measures at facilities but they were
not able to pursue it due to unavailability of
legal requirements unlike for other type of
obligations such as in the occupational safety
and health and in the environmental protection
activities. These two fields are governed
under their own act and regulations which
empowered the competent personnel to have
some authorities to discharge their duties.
So, when EMEER 2008 is enforced by
Energy Commission, the provisions on the
mandatory requirements to appoint REEMs
for affected installations should be used as
a platform to put more efforts in ensuring all
level of employees to play their roles in energy
management activities with the authorities
given in the law.
To me, the compliance of affected installations
towards EMEER 2008 should only be
the minimum requirement for REEM to fulfil
which is to verify reports that need to be
submitted to Energy Commission in every
six months. Their further functions should
derive from the regulation 16 in EMEER 2008
which is normally not fully understood the
owner of the installation who are mostly
new or unaware of it until they received the
notification from Energy Commission.
REEMs should make use of their presence
to create impacts through functions
and duties required to be performed
where they should be the catalyst and key
resource person by using authorities given
to them. They should develop and plan the
strategy to initiate and provide assistance
in the implementation of energy management
system effectively while fulfilling
their roles and responsibilities to ensure
affected installations comply with EMEER
2008 requirements.
There are plenty of opportunities are
available which can be possibly offered by
REEMs from the implementation of EMEER
2008. It ranges from compliances services
and from the expansion of scopes from
requirements of the regulations in order to
offer more comprehensive roles in assisting
affected installations to achieve energy
savings in a sustainable manner from
energy management activities which will
be discussed further in the Part 2 of this
article.
green+.2015 , february-march 37

AWARDS
Odissi dancers.
Some of the recipients showing their awards.
Green honours
The recent GreenTech Awards recognised
individuals, organizations,
companies and journalists who
contributed towards a “greener”
Malaysia.
Organised by Malaysian Green Technology
Corp, the recipients were:
Individuals
Gurmit Singh, Centre for Environment,
Technology and Development Malaysia
founder– A renowned environmental
activist who walks the talk.
Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil,
Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam
Malaysia president – Promotes forest conservation
and sustainability.
Tan Sri Eddy Chen, MKH Bhd – Advocates
green-certified homes.
Ruth Yeoh, YTL Corp – Instrumental in
establishing the Sustainability Division
within the company, and promoting
awareness on the impact of climate change
and sustainability.
Organizations
Royal Malaysia Police – A role model to
other Government agencies, being the first
to adopt the Green Practices and Green
Technology Application Blueprint.
GreenBuildingIndex – Transformed
Malaysian buildings to be more
eco-friendly.
Subang Jaya Municipal Council – Promotes
a low-carbon city.
Companies
Tan Chong Motors – Introduced electric
cars.
Maybank – Supports the Green
Technology Financing Scheme, providing
funding of RM245mil for 16 green projects.
Bandar Eco-Setia – Developed homes with
solar energy systems and green spaces.
Panasonic Malaysia – Promotes green
living by offering energy efficient
appliances.
Malaysia Airports Holdings – Incorporated
solar photovoltaic technology in KLIA and
green features in KLIA2.
Penjana Bebas – Initiated the Green School
Campaign, enabling solar photovoltaic systems
to be installed in over 100 schools.
Malaysia Debt Ventures – Promotes
Islamic financing for green technology,
enabling 16 green projects worth RM191mil.
Malaysian Resources Corporation –
Promotes commercial buildings that meet
green standards.
GreenTech CEO Ir Ahmad Hadri Haris delivers
his welcome speech.
Chinese drums performance.
Gading Kencana – A role model in renewable
energy services.
KFM Holdings – Solution provider for
a green, smart and connected built
environment.
Harta Maintenance – Used green products
in building maintenance.
PKT Logistics Group – Logistics service
provider for the renewable energy sector.
Tenaga Nasional Bhd – Facilitated growth
of renewable energy.
Malakoff Corp – Promotes renewable
energy via its Macarthur wind farm in
Australia, the largest in the Southern
Hemisphere.
Cypark Resources – Established solar
farms on closed landfills.
Malaysian Solar Resources – A growing
local solar manufacturer.
Syngas – Converts waste into commercial
pproducts such as petroleum, diesel, kerosene,
naphthalene, ethanol and methanol.
Journalists
Tan Cheng Li (The Star)
Linda Archibald (The Malaysian Reserve)
Che Wan Mohd Badrul Amin Che Wan
Alias (Berita Harian)
Puteri Nur Alia Mohd Jasin (RTM)
38 february-march, green+.2015

COLUMN
It has been acknowledged by the
Malaysian Government in the
National Energy Efficiency Action
Plan that one of the barriers to
energy efficient projects is the lack of
financing or access to financing by project
developers. Such experience is echoed
in other countries where energy service
companies as well as other energy efficient
project developers can attest to the
existence of a language gap around the
risk of energy efficient projects.
All energy efficiency improvements
need investments in time and money.
Project developers and owners need to
spend time to think about their current
energy use, and think of ways to reduce
energy use. Such reductions in energy use
require the owners to pay for new actions,
even if they have a one month payback.
Funding such energy saving measures
are often challenging as Financiers
usually speak a different language than
energy Engineers. The need to communicate
the right bankability signals to banks
is therefore crucial.
Financiers are concerned with the rate
of returns and potential risks (technical
and credit) while engineers are typically
concerned with the paybacks, maybe
internal rate of returns but ultimately the
success of the project which engineers
mitigate through the use of safety factors
to cover performance risks. Such use of
safety factors are often not shared with
the financer which , therefore, proliferates
the technology risk from the financer’s
perspective.
Project engineers do not usually have
a chance to show their safety factors to
the financiers. So conservative financiers
presume there is still exposure to the
technical risks generally rumored about
all energy efficient projects.If financiers
don’t understand the risks there will be
NO investment.
While it is easy to criticize financial
institutions for the lack of support
towards energy efficient projects,
Financiers typically have a basket full
of checklists and criteria they have to
assess. These include the project’s balance
sheet, equity, liquidity, firm’s future
viability, profitability history, energy cost
and length of financing period to ascertain
their funding risk. Market trends such as
product life cycle, competition, inflation
of energy price, management quality are
also considered. The technology viability
of the proposed energy efficient solution
is often on par with the other criteria listed
above.
Engineers have also not done themselves
a favor when they go around
telling clients and to the public that “you
can’t manage what you don’t measure.”
It is worthwhile to note that one cannot
measure energy savings and that the
The language gap around risk
in energy efficient projects
There’s need to communicate the right bankability signals
By Kevin Hor
(Project
Manager and
Component 3
Consultant)
kevin.hor@jkr.
gov.my
Kevin at a
Confexhub
seminar in
Kuching last
November.
quantification of energy savings is a
statistical estimate. It is hard to fault
financiers to believe that savings are
invisible and therefore doubt any energy
savings calculations. This financier fear
creates a perception of probably undue
risk which can be easily mitigated if the
engineer shows that the technical risks
are systematically managed and the
financier builds capacity internally to
learn the intricacies of the technologies
being deployed.
All financiers appreciate efforts to
manage the project risks and often rely on
the culture of proof. They need credible,
replicable and verifiable results. Actual
verification of results will inspire cooperation
between all parties and will serve
as the basis for settlement of financial
transactions. Internationally recognized
and standardized measurement and verification
is therefore the touted solution to
bridge this gap to allow financiers address
their specialty – credit risk.
Measurement and verification
improves risks allocated to the successful
completion of the project, ensure sustained
long term savings, and assists in
compliance with equator principles. While
it is possible in the short term to finance
projects with internal funds however to
create a significant impact to the energy
use framework in Malaysia, it is therefore
imperative that clients, energy service
companies, and equipment suppliers
insist and invest into developing internal
capabilities in measurement and
verification.
Energy efficiency project proponents
have to appreciate that while credit is
available, the due diligence required prior
to disbursement of credit is great. Until
dedicated funds are created to finance
energy efficiency project, energy efficiency
project proponents have to satisfy
the culture of proof through independent
professionals to measure and verify
energy savings.
The culture of proof can be mitigated
by increasing the number of transactions
of energy efficiency project and can be in
the short term catalyzed by private boutique
investment vehicles. Malaysia does
not have to look very far to Singapore
who themselves had similar financing
barriers. A privately funded energy efficiency
fund was created in collaboration
with the Economic Development Board
of Singapore.
A private fund has the ability to
bring together the necessary solution,
technology, money and implementation
capabilities under one roof to delivery
energy savings and infrastructure
improvements in the local building
market.
The author believes that it would be
a pragmatic next step to set up a dedicated
Malaysia Energy Efficiency Fund
(“MEEF”) aimed at bridging the energy
efficiency financing gap for retrofits in
existing Buildings and support the rollout
of the ESCO EPC business model in
Malaysia.
Dedicated EE financing vehicles have
been working successfully for over 15
years in Europe and the US. Examples
include FEDESCO in Belgium (http://
www.fedesco.be/), BEEF in Bulgaria
(http://www.bgeef.com/) and METRUS
ENERGY in the US (http://metrusenergy.
com/) among others.
The MEEF facility will apply a platform
approach to aggregate multiple EEPs
from multiple ESCOs within Special
Purpose Vehicles (“SPVs”) based on
proven standardized methodologies to
evaluate and manage EE projects. This
40 february-march, green+.2015

COLUMN
approach will seek to provide a significant scaling
of the financing of EE for possible access to
cost-effective local bank debt (refinancing) and
reduced overall transaction costs and risks.
MEEF will invest in end-use EEPs developed
and installed by local developers, vendors and
EScOs at existing commercial & Government
Building facilities in Malaysia with credit-worthy
owners. The EEPs will utilize proven technologies
to reduce existing energy and operating costs of
the End-user. The EEPs will be implemented by
reputable & competent EScOs offering meaningful
performance guarantees to MEEF.
The core concept is that MEEF provides all
upfront capital for the EEPs, and End-users
are only responsible to pay MEEF every
month a share of the savings if realized. direct
benefits which Building Owners receive
include: i) improved energy services from the
equipment installed; ii) a portion of net savings
generated from the EEPs during the term of their
Agreement with MEEF and 100% of savings at
the end of its term; and iii) ultimate ownership of
the equipment installed for limited or no capital
cost at end of the Agreement.
In other words, End-users will not invest
any money in EEPs (off-balance sheet) and yet
see their operating cashflow increase from day
1 with the share of savings they receive. This
business model is called “Energy Efficiency as
a Service”.
Not only will MEEF operate on a commercial
basis and have an early impact by financing
opportunities in the market today, but it will be
involved in creating specialized energy efficiency
investment products, building EE development
and financing capacity, and funding pilot EEPs
with the end goal of encouraging greater participation
of FIs in the medium and long-term.
It would also complement and strengthen
the impact potential of the initiatives that the
Malaysia Government has already put in place to
boost the local energy efficiency market.
however as demonstrated in Singapore, support
from the Government is required to start
MEEF and attract private sector money. Given
the high level of perceived risks prevailing in the
EE market in Malaysia, it will be difficult for the
private sector to step in and catalyze the sector
on its own.
currently there is sufficient financial liquidity
in the market but low appetite for risk until
revenue-generating model can be proven.
commercial banks are willing to lend money to
MEEF, but require a guarantee. likewise, equity
investors are ready to invest long-term, but wait
for the other party to take the first step.
All investors and lenders put very significant
value in government resolve to kick-start MEEF.
The Malaysia Government has an opportunity to
take the lead, act as an enabler and send a clear
signal to the market by showing its confidence in
the viability of a commercially-driven EE Fund.
Once a track record has been established,
Government support will phase out and won’t be
required anymore in the mid-term. For instance
with historic data and cashflow statistics, commercial
banks lending to MEEF will be in a better
position to properly assess the risks and price
their loans at competitive rate without requiring
Government Guarantees.
With an investment capacity of rM 300-600
million, MeeF would have the following direct
impacts in the market:
100-200 large buildings retrofitted &
energy efficient in the next 3 years
187,500,000-375,000,000 kWh of
cumulated energy savings per year
140,000-280,000 tCo2 avoided per year
equivalent to avoiding emissions of
30,000-60,000 cars annually
rM 11-22m additional wealth created for
Building end-Users per year
rM 64-128m revenues for MeeF per year
rM 300-600m additional revenue for
eSCos & equipment suppliers in the next
3 years
At least 500-1,000 jobs created in the
industry
Not only will MEEF (i) increase energy
savings and thus reduce green house gases
emissions, improve local firms’ competitiveness
and create further jobs in the local EScO and EE
equipment industries; but as a market enabler
(ii) MEEF will also demonstrate the viability of
financing Energy Efficiency projects, engage &
build capacity of local banks by creating partnership
for credit risk analysis, co-financing/
re-financing.
Based on the success of this first Fund, it is
expected that the market will create additional
EE financial products and possibly replicate the
model with a Fund #2 and #3, etc as soon as
money is disbursed and track record is established
with MEEF Fund #1.
green+.2015 , february-march 41

COLUMN
Balance between
Man and his environment
Nature’s the very pillar of our existence
By R . Jeganathan & Seema
Nanoo
Right this very moment
somewhere around the
world there is a researcher
tucked away about to discover
a new medicine to
treat a disease or prolong life. Yet at the
same time scientists are still discovering
new and unheard off diseases.
Pharmaceutical agencies on the
other hand, are only producing more
complex medicines while the diseases
keep appearing ‘mysteriously’.
The search for the elusive elixir of
life which began from time immemorial
is still on going except perhaps the tools
are more high tech and the knowledge
has become finer.
Are we any closer than our forefathers
in discovering that magic potion?
Come to think of it our ancestors lived
Gasing Forest
Reserve
a longer and healthier life than us, so
what went wrong?
If we look back in time our forefathers
were conscious of their inner
being ‘resonating’ with their environment.
Medicines were mainly fresh
herbs taken from nature.
From the Indian Ayurvedic system
to the Chinese alternative medicine to
the Western herbs, it was not merely
the ingestion of the herbs that worked
but the holistic approach of taking the
herbs together with the practices that
followed it.
But right now medicine has become
merely an antidote to the symptoms
presented and therefore the process of
how nature truly heals us has been lost
to us.
In this column we seek to reintroduce
the balance between man and
his environment. To understand the
importance of both, let us look at the
human kind. We are made to believe,
we are in imperfection, which makes
nearly everyone seek for remedies
outside of us.
Yet you would have heard of miraculous
recovery from terminal illnesses
by people who denounce clinical medicines.
They either explored their inner
self or reconnected themselves with
their environment by practising ancient
physical movements and ingesting
herbs.
We are here to share the secrets of
our forefathers which the modern man
has forgotten.
So what is health truly?
Health is not just about keeping
42 february-march, green+.2015

COLUMN
Forest in
Raub, Pahang
the body fit and about being able to
keep away from illness. We must first
understand illness is a part of healthy
living. Just as you will have to spring
clean your home often, the body has
its own way of clearing congestions.
There are repairs taking place even this
very moment in our body without our
intervention.
A healthy living simply means the
body vehicle is kept in balance to perform
its duties. When you understand
that a fever is simply excess heat that
is being drained out and that a boil is
a symptom for us to know there is a
lacking of fluids in our body, you will not
panic!
So what is operating this body
vehicle?
Imagine this, a certain energy took
shape in your mother’s womb and now
is sitting here. This energy protects,
defends and keeps the body in balance.
The day when this energy leaves us,
we are known as a corpse. Since this
energy is the operating force of this
body, we will call it the life source.
When the life source is in balance,
the brain, the manager of the body will
be able to perform it’s duties by sending
messages effectively to the organs.
And when the organs receive adequate
information, it will perform its duties
and start trading with the other organs
to continue the body’s activities.
Finally the nervous system hand
in hand with the veins and arteries
labour to keep the body in optimum
performance.
But the body vehicle is not only
operating with what is within it. It is
continuously interacting with the outer,
the environment and the five elements
that sustain it.
Let’s look at our connection to the
environment. Nature is the very pillar of
our existence as it interacts and influences
us though we seem to view it as
something very separate from us.
However if we were to study our
relationship with nature carefully, we
will find that the five elements that
exists in nature also exists in our body.
To have a better understanding, the
five elements in us can be glaringly
seen when there is an imbalance in
these elements. For example when we
have gastric we feel a burning sensation
in our stomach, and when there
is excess wind, we feel bloated, when
we have a ‘full tank’, we have excess
water and when we feel giddy there is
an imbalance in Ether element.
Finally, when we get ‘needles and
pins’ that is a sign that gravity is not
flowing well.
These elements in nature and the
elements in our body interact through
our five senses.
These ‘sensors’ connect the inner
to the outer and the balance between
this is what health is about. The meeting
of the cosmic force outside with the
individual life force within is the key to a
healthy lifestyle.
Forest yoga is not just a column
discussing about the popular yoga
exercise but about the union (yoga)
with our first home, the forest. The
forest is a source, a powerhouse of
potent energy, a sum of all five elements
that can rejuvenate and balance
our self.
Unlike the present day yoga which
revolves mainly around physical exercises,
the ancient thinkers who were
more in tune with the energy of the
five elements introduced the science
of being in union with his environment.
‘Forest Yoga’ is a platform where
this science of the ancient thinkers,
are reintroduced to the modern man.
It goes beyond being physically in the
forest; it shares with you the many
ways you can also bring the energy of
the forest to you and your home.
A living tree in the
forest of
Raub, Pahang
green+.2015 , february-march 43

FEATURE
Protein source: a world challenge
Feed industry has already initiated some deep changes in formulation
BY KEVIN WONG
THE WORLD IS facing a critical challenge
for the coming decades: feed
an ever increasing population.
Finding new protein sources
is one of the most critical points.
Not only the demography is an issue but the
feeding habit has been evolving quickly in all
new growing economies where demand of
animal protein explodes with the increasing
living standards. Livestock farming, taking all
species together, experiences a colossal boom
to meet this ever increasing protein demand.
Forecasts in population growth and
wealthier economies in developing countries
will translate in a steady growth in animal
protein demand.
Further growth in livestock production,
which is about 200 millions tons now
and which should double by 2050, will add
important pressure on cereal and protein-rich
by-products.
On the other hand, any growth in seafood
production, which is estimated between 30
to 60 millions tons by year by 2050, can only
be supported by aquaculture; improvement
in catches in unlikely to happen when
over 80% of the fishery stocks are already
fully exploited, recovering, depleted or
overexploited.
This huge expected growth in animal
protein demand will require important
improvement in supply in feedstuffs, from
cereal to protein-based products.
Today, animal compound feed strongly rely
on two major source of protein: soybean and
fishmeal (issued from wild captures).
EntoFood Malaysia President Frederic Viala
said there had been a drop in the fishmeal protein
source as the fishmeal comes from wild
catch fish in the ocean and this fish stock was
now depleting.
“At the same time, it is also the increasing
demands of fishmeal due to the development
of aquaculture,” said Viala.
“The fish-farmers are already looking for
new fishmeal protein alternative because the
fishmeal price is now too high and the offer is
decreasing.”
The feed industry has already initiated
some deep changes in formulation due to the
market changes, by reducing drastically the
use of fishmeal in livestock feed which have
been replaced by plant-based protein.
Further increase in plant-based protein
production can be achieved by expanding cultivated
lands and increasing yields. Agriculture
production dedicated to livestock feed will
compete more and more with direct human
use of crops, increasing concerns for forest
and biodiversity conservation programs,
development of infrastructures and urbanization,
growing non-food crop production
(biodiesel) and eventually production is some
regions are limited due to soil degradation and
increasing water scarcity.
Viala added: “For a few years the industry
has been looking for alternative proteins in
insect, algae and single cell. Insect has the
lowest production cost and the insect farming
technology is ready to go. The insect protein is
very close to the fishmeal quality. Insects are
a common and natural food for wild fish like
salmon, trout, turbot, catfish and etc.”
Increasing scarcity of natural resources,
agricultural land and water together with the
oil price volatility and a sustained demand
led to a constant increase of commodity price
during the last decade.
To be able to keep up with the growing protein
demand the world feed industry is urged
to seek new sources of protein which could
replace fishmeal. Tremendous scientific and
financial efforts are being dedicated to it from
both private and public entities.
Waste situation
Based on the latest published figure, Malaysia
generated approximately 33,000 tonnes of
MSW daily in 2012, exceeding the projected
waste generation of 30,000 tonnes by 2020.
This is an alarming figure because 33,000
tonnes of daily waste production is equaled
to 12 million tonnes of waste per year.
In addition, 52% of the total (33,000
tonnes/day) MSW consisted of organic
fractions (i.e. food waste). This is an important
factor in designing the suitable waste
management strategy which has a direct
implication on the cost of (waste) management
and its environmental impact.
In the EU, MSW composition is dominated
by packaging material or inorganic waste.
Their organic fraction represents only about
25% of the total MSW generated. So, waste
management strategies developed in EU are
mainly relied on incineration and recycling.
In contrast, the MSW profile in Malaysia
has high percentage of organic fraction
which jeopardises the efficiency and/or
cost-effectiveness of incineration technology
(mostly developed by the more
developed nations to handle their waste
profiles).
Today, few incinerators have been built in
Malaysia but all have failed to achieve its full
potential, due to the high organic content in
Malaysia’s waste profile.
Viala said: “The problem with the
Malaysian waste is the organic fraction
represents 50 % of the waste and is very wet.
That means the wastes are not burnable. By
segregating the organic fraction for insect
bioconversion, the waste, mainly inorganic,
become easily burnable.”
As such, landfilling is the available
option of waste management practice in
Malaysia as it is an easier and cheaper
method. Nevertheless, such practice
is not sustainable and environmental
unfriendly.
Malaysia had committed to reducing
its greenhouse gas emission by 40
percent of the country gross domestic
product by 2020. Government is interested
to see the adoption of waste
management technologies that have
minimal environmental impact and cost
effective. Furthermore, the country could
not depend on landfills anymore due to
scarcity of land and its negative impact
on the environment.
Wastes should no longer be considered
a burden but as an opportunity.
The 21st century will be driven by
biotechnologies which will play a key
role in generating wealth, source of
development and solving environmental
problem. These will, in turn, offer better
future for the next generations.
44 february-march, green+.2015

FEATURE
Industry relying more
on new protein sources
Stakes
SUSTAINABLE aquaculture
growth is facing a major challenge:
access to new sustainable
source of protein. Aquaculture
has been the fastest-growing
animal based food sector during the past
decade. Forecasts indicate that shortly fish
for human consumption originating from
aquaculture are expected to surpass those
Entofood has mastered insect mass-culture
from capture fisheries. By 2050, the aquaculture
production is foreseen to increase by
4 folds from the present 50 MMT.
To enable such growth, the industry will
have to rely more and more on new sources
of protein which will have to be economically
and environmentally sustainable.
Increasing scarcity of fishmeal and volatile
price of soybean meal put the economic
sustainability of the industry at risk.
Alternative source of protein will grow
in the short future, such as algae and single
cell protein. Entofood has mastered insect
mass-culture which will bring an economic
and environmental new alternative of protein
for aquaculture diets.
Entofood Activity
Entofood initiated an R&D programme
in 2010 on the life-cycle and
green+.2015 , february-march 45

FEATURE
bioconversion capacity of Hermetia
illucens, a Diptera belonging to the
Stratiomyidae family. The choice of
this species was driven by biological
and economical considerations. A
worldwide distribution of the species,
its non-pest status, high fecundity,
fast larval development and a very
wide feeding regime are among the
most important characteristics of this
species.
Since, Entofood mastered reproduction
in artificial environment, mass
production of eggs and feeding models
which enable development of industrial
scale insect production.
Hermetia illucens, which is a detritivorous
species, can feed on a very
wide range of organic products from
manure to carrions or food wastes.
Targeting the supply of a sustainable
and economical source of protein
for compound feed, Entofood chose
to focus on clean source of organic
products to guarantee the sanitary
quality of its finished product. Plus, as
an ethical value Entofood decided to
avoid using in its business model raw
material which could be used directly
for livestock or human consumption.
Today, Entofood has built a pilot
production unit in Malaysia which will
produce 1MT of insect meal per month.
This pre-industrial phase will be
destined to test the zootechnical performance
of its insect meal in various
farm-raised species and to develop
specific machinery to enable a fast and
economical industrial development.
In 2013 Entofood will initiate the
construction of a first industrial
module with a targeted monthly
output of 100MT of meal. From there,
based on demand, production facilities
could be developed for much higher
volumes.
Raw Material Choice
To feed the insect larvae Entofood
strictly use fresh food wastes issued
from wholesale market and collectivity
restaurants. The diet given to the
insects is then composed of fruits and
vegetables discarded at wholesale
market and cooked food unused from
restaurants. Food wastes are collected
on a daily basis to guarantee freshness
and ration are calculated to enable total
consumption by the insects within
the same day. This process enable to
maintain good sanitary condition of
the living substrate of the animals.
Insect Meal
Only larval stage is used to make the
meal. In this species the imago are not
feeding and only live on their reserve.
During their development larvae
will accumulate protein and lipids to
enable completion of the metamorphosis
into adult and build up reserve
for the reproductive cycle.
Once larvae have completed their
cycle, they are harvested and will go
through a processing line where they
will be sieved, washed, dried at low
temperature and grinded into meal.
The quality of the meal obtained
from the maggots has a high profat
value (70%) with protein and fat content
of 40% and 30% respectively.
Research programs on Hermetia
46 february-march, green+.2015

FEATURE
illucens meal incorporated in compound
feed indicate good zootechnical performances
in rainbow trout, tilapia, catfish and
turbot.
More applied trials need to be conducted
to define the best inclusion rate, and therefore
the fishmeal substitution level, per
commercial feed.
Environmental Benefit
The insect meal produced by Entofood offers
a sustainable and environmental friendly
solution as protein source.
In the model developed by Entofood, the
product issued from the digestion of the food
wastes by the insect larvae can be valorized
as an organic fertilizer which provide a
complete recycling of the nutrients and avoid
environmental impact of organic wastes.
Organic wastes are presently among the
most polluting fraction of Municipal wastes
when landfilled in unsanitary facilities, which
is the most common practice in wastes
WHEN ORGANIC WASTES LEAD TO FOOD SECURITY
MALAYSIA
ORGANICS WASTES
PRODUCTION
EQUIVALENT
RECOVERED INSECT
MEAL
MALAYSIAN IMPORTATION FISH MEAL
5.5 millions tons/ year 475 000 Tons 25 000 Tons
If only 2% organic 10 000 Tons =40 % importation fisch meal
wastes converted
If 5% organic wastes
converted
24 000 Tons =96 % importation fisch meal FOOD
SECURITY
If 10% organic wastes
converted
48 000 Tons Malaysia develop aquaculture & export insect
meal
management. Organic wastes generate
leachate which contaminate soil and underground
water, filthy environment and large
amount of greenhouse gas (CO2 and CH4).
By diverting these wastes from landfilling
practices, the insects bioconversion alleviate
environmental burden related to their
management.
Technology Rollout
Hermetia illucens is present all around the
world in tropical and temperate zones. Its
presence worldwide and its ability to degrade
a large range of organic products will enable
in the future to develop production facilities
closer to the feed manufacturer improving by
that mean self-sufficiency of key raw material
and reducing transport cost and carbon
footprint of the compound feeds.
Once the first industrial module will be
operational and complete automation system
developed, Entofood can consider technology
rollout in other production areas.
green+.2015 , february-march 47

ENERGY
Hydropower to drive
economic growth in Asean
Sarawak Energy at the forefront in powering up the region
We are steadily pursuing
this and we are looking
forward to supporting the
Peninsula as well as our
neighbouring state, Sabah.
In addition to this, Sarawak
Energy has been running at
a profit for decades so we are
very much self-sustained in
terms of financing. All this
just places us in a strong
position”
Sarawak Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk
Torstein Dale Sjotveit
48 february-march, green+.2015

ENERGY
Sarawak Energy has
been envisaged as the key
energy provider to help
realise the much anticipated
ASEAN Power Grid.
This was one of the many topics discussed
during the plenary session at
the Power-Gen Asia 2014 Conference
held yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur
Convention Centre. Sarawak Energy’s
Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Torstein
Dale Sjotveit was part of the panel for
the plenary session entitled Delivering
Asia’s Sustainable Power Growth: The
Strategic And Technology Challenge.
The State-owned utility company’s
strong performance and
stability through the years coupled
with Sarawak’s generous hydropower
potential, puts Sarawak Energy at the
forefront in powering up the region.
Torstein said the State’s competitive
advantage was a unique one given its
abundance in natural resources and
this placed the company on the right
track, currently generating up to 13 TWh
per year from hydro, gas and coal.
“We are steadily pursuing this and
we are looking forward to supporting
the Peninsula as well as our neighbouring
state, Sabah. In addition to this,
Sarawak Energy has been running at a
profit for decades so we are very much
self-sustained in terms of financing. All
this just places us in a strong position,”
he said.
Other panelists for the plenary
session were Datuk Ir. Ahmad Fauzi Bin
Hasan, Chief Executive Officer Energy
Commission Malaysia, Charanjit Singh
Gill, Senior General Manager and Head
of the Single Buyer Department of the
Planning and Regulatory Economics
Division Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB),
Cyril Cabanes, Senior Vice President-
Development, Marubeni Asian Power
Singapore Pte Ltd and Wouter van
Wersch, Senior Vice President East Asia
Pacific and President Alstom Singapore,
also Alstom International Senior Vice
President Asia Pacific.
Mark Hutchinson, Managing
Director IHS Consulting-Energy and
Natural Resources, presided as moderator
to the panel discussion.
Earlier on, it was acknowledged by
the panelists that demand for energy
in the region would increase and within
Malaysia itself, the peninsula side
would need to look towards Sarawak for
generation.
Charanjit said TNB definitely saw
Sarawak having a big role to play as an
energy provider to the peninsula. This
was reiterated by Ir. Ahmad Fauzi.
“TNB is looking towards Sarawak not
just for its hydro potentials but also a
basket of technologies. Power can come
across to the peninsula as the technology
(to transmit) is well established,”
he added.
Torstein also reminded that the truly
sustainable renewable energy resource
in this region was hydropower which
Members of the
panel (from left
to right): Wouter
van Wersch,
Charanjit Singh
Gill, Datuk Ir.
Ahmad Fauzi
Bin Hasan,
Datuk Torstein
Dale Sjøtveit,
Cyril Cabanes
and Adrian
John
Sarawak, Kalimantan and Myanmar
were actively pursuing.
Given hydropower’s ability to
produce at an average competitive
cost of USD0.05, Torstein believed this
alternative renewable energy source
would drive the economic growth in the
ASEAN region in a big way.
He also felt that hydropower was
much better and more sustainable
bulk of energy source for Sarawak
compared to other alternative sources
like solar for instance.
“If you look at Bakun, it is producing
20 TWh annually and if we were to
build solar that gives an equivalent of
20 TWh, it would take about 500 square
km of solar panels and this will run a
cost of more than RM100bil.
“This is what I mean when I say
sustainability is a balance between
economic growth, social, technology
and environment,” he said.
The discussion also touched on
energy generation from coal still being
favourable despite the issue of CO2
emission.
On this matter, Torstein pointed
out that the bulk of CO2 emission was
created by the developed countries and
it was only right for the Western World
to shoulder a bigger responsibility in
solving this issue rather than imposing
heavy carbon tax on the developing
nations.
For the third time, Sarawak Energy
participated in the POWER-GEN ASIA
conference in conjunction with ASEAN
POWER WEEK in Kuala Lumpur on Sept
10-12 last year.
The company’s dynamic growth
through the years has grabbed the
attention of the conference producer,
PennWell, and an invitation was
extended for Sarawak Energy to join as
one of the supporting organisations.
In this conference, Sarawak Energy
team participated in five sessions
namely Joint Plenary Session Utility
Perspectives on Integration, Hydro
Power Project Development, Hydro
Power New Technologies, Solar Project
Development and Tough Planning
Challenges.
Among the papers presented
included “Lessons from the Sarawak/
West Kalimantan Interconnection”,
“Hydropower Development in
Sarawak”, “Solar Hybrid Schemes
for Electrifying Remote Villages in
Sarawak” and “Rural Electrification
Masterplan for Sarawak”.
ASEAN POWER WEEK saw the
convergence of some 7,000 attendees,
most of whom are professionals in the
power generation sector, from over 70
different countries from around the
world.
green+.2015 , february-march 49

ENERGY
Sarawak Energy’s Murum
Hydro Electric Project (HEP)
has reached a key milestone.
The first power generating turbine
unit of Murum HEP has
completed its reliability run and is now
ready for operation.
This is the first of four turbine units
that had undergone rigorous testing to
ready Murum HEP, Sarawak’s largest
hydroelectric project, for full commissioning
by 2nd quarter of this year.
A ceremony was held at the HEP powerhouse
yesterday to signify the official
handing over of the first turbine unit to
Sarawak Energy from contractor Three
Gorges Development Company (M) Sdn
Bhd.
Present to witness the handing
over and to officiate the running of
the first turbine set was Sarawak
Energy Chairman Datuk Amar Abdul
Hamed Sepawi, accompanied by
the company’s senior management
team led by its Senior Vice President
for Project Execution Einar Kilde and
Vice President for Hydro Polycarp HF
Wong.
Three Gorges was represented by its
General Manager Zhao Jian Qiang. In his
speech, Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed said
the Sarawak government’s strategy was
to develop SCORE by harnessing the
state’s abundant hydropower potential
to drive the State’s economic growth, job
creation and development of wealth for
the people of Sarawak.
“With the full commissioning of
Murum HEP by next year, our generation
mix will be about 75% hydro and 25%
thermal. This will lead to more secure,
sustainable and affordable energy to
power the State’s development agenda,”
he said.
He also said that Sarawak Energy is on
track to grow the output and consumption
of power in the state by more than
8 fold, from approximately 5000 GWh in
2009 to approximately 40 000 GWh per
year in 2020.
“Sarawak will eventually be ranked
among the energy giants Norway, Iceland
and Canada to become one of the most
energy rich regions in the world measured
per capita. The commissioning of
the Murum dam is therefore only the ‘end
of the beginning’,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Sarawak
Energy CEO Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit,
Polycarp Wong said with the full commissioning
of Murum HEP, Sarawak’s energy
supply would reach about 4500MW to
supply the energy committed in the
SCORE Phase1.
“Murum HEP development also marks
a major step in Sarawak Energy’s sustainable
development journey through our
strategic participation as an International
Murum HEP first turbine
unit ready for operation
On track for a secure, sustainable and affordable energy future
Sarawak Energy Chairman Datuk Amar Hamed Sepawi (fourth from left) flanked by (from third left) Senior Vice
President for Project Execution Einar Kilde, Three Gorges General Manager Zhao Jian Qiang and Vice President for
Hydro Polycarp HF Wong symbolically officiate the running of the first turbine unit as others look on.
Murum HEP’s
spillway at
work.
Hydro Power Association (IHA) sustainability
partner,” said Wong.
“This is an area that we want to further
focus on especially in the way we develop
our hydropower projects with a long term
perspective of continued improvement.
“The IHA Sustainability Protocol that
Sarawak Energy is guided by covers a
wide spectrum of sustainability topics
such as social, environment, safety and
governance. Through our early work here,
I look forward to the day when Sarawak
Energy becomes a global benchmark
for sustainability in hydropower
development.”
Wong expressed his appreciation
to the teams from Sarawak Energy’s
Project Execution, Resettlement
and Corporate Social Responsibility
Departments who had worked hard to
implement the Murum project despite
many challenges.
“Through their commitment,
dedication and hard work, they have
directly contributed to the development
of our state and economy.”
Murum HEP is the second hydroelectric
project belonging to Sarawak Energy
following the Batang Ai HEP which was
commissioned in 1984. The Murum HEP
is innovative in its design with the tallest
steeped chute spillway in the world.
This spillway is currently undergoing
testing and due to the dam’s uniqueness
the study is of interest to many, including
dam designers, contractors and
engineers.
The main dam is a roller compacted
concrete (RCC) dam with a maximum
height above the foundation of 141m.
It has a crest elevation of 546 masl.
Impoundment of the reservoir started
on September 21, 2013 and has reached
supply level.
Each of the main turbine units has
a maximum generating capacity of
236MW. The dam’s powerhouse houses
the 4x 236MW vertical Francis turbines
which will allow a total installed capacity
of 944MW. Other works in progress at
Murum includes the Ecological Power
Station.
The main purpose of the ecological
power station is to ensure that the
ecosystem of the upper reach of Murum
River remains active.
It houses 2x3.7 MW horizontal
Francis turbines, with a total installed
capacity of 7.4 MW.
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TRANSPORTATION
Cops go green
33 EV scooters supplied to Amanita
Director of the Department
of Strategic Resources and
Technology CP Dato’ Pahlawan
Zulkifli Abdullah (mid) with
Kuala Lumpur Chief Police
S/DCP Dato’ Tajudin Md Isa
(left) and Chief Executive
Officer of Greentech Malaysia
Ir. Ahmad Hadri Haris (right)
at the launching of the Green
Initiatives of Taman Tun Dr
Ismail police station.
By KEVIN WONG
Th e Royal Malaysia Police
(PDRM) recently launched
a green initiative by turning
the Taman Tun Dr Ismail
(TTDI) police station into a
“green” building.
Bukit Aman Strategic Resources and
Technology Department director, Dato’
Pahlawan Zulkifli Abdullah, said the TTDI
police station was a pilot project as the
existing police station would be rated
green and will serve as a benchmark for
Police to adopt green practices and green
technology.
He added: “The implementation of
green practices and green technologies
will start from the police stations up to
Bukit Aman Headquarters.”
At the same time, 33 electric (EV)
scooters were supplied by the government
for the Women Peace Police Squad
(Amanita) in conjunction with the green
initiatives.
Zulkifli said: “The use of the electric
scooters is a part of the initiatives by the
police to go green. Also, the EV scooters
will help reduce carbon emissions
and minimise negative impact on the
environment.”
He added Amanita could now do community
policing duty quietly as electric
scooters reduces air and noise pollution.
Royal Malaysia
Police(PDRM)
Women Peace
Police Squad
(AMANITA)
posing with
their newly
received
electric
scouter in
conjunction
to the green
initiatives of
Taman Tun Dr
Ismail police
station.
Director of the
Department
of Strategic
Resources and
Technology CP
Dato’ Pahlawan
Zulkifli
Abdullah
planting a tree
to kickstart the
green initiatives
for Taman Tun
Dr Ismail police
station.
IN JANUARY, the Iskandar Regional
Development Authority (Irda) received
two Renault Zoe electric cars from CMS
Consortium Sdn Bhd to reflect its commitment
to a more sustainable future for
Iskandar Malaysia.
During the event, Irda chief executive
IRDA going ‘Green’ with e-cars
officer Datuk Ismail Ibrahim said: “Irda
chose to use the cars as a testament
to its objective of developing Iskandar
Malaysia into a smart, healthy and green
metropolis.”
The handover ceremony was officiated
by the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim
Sultan Iskandar in conjunction to the sultan’s
visit to Irda.
Those present were Johor Menteri Besar
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Johor
State Secretary Datuk Ismail Marim and
Comos executive chairman Datuk Seri
Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
52 february-march, green+.2015

ART
Living Tree... Life Imitates Art
It took Malaysians only a short while to forget our relationship with nature
By SHEILA KUMAR
Late last year Malaysia was inundated
with what some say the worst
floods to hit this country. There
were many reasons given but the
most obvious were legal and illegal
logging.
Around the world in the past decade, we
have witnessed massive earthquakes, flooding,
landslides and tsunamis which repeatedly
remind us that something is not right, like
some equation is not in balance!
All these events beg the question…”What is
happening to our planet?” Everyone seems to
ponder on it, reports are being churned out on
how our environment is fast eroding but man
still seems to take nature for granted. He still
keeps doing what he is driven to do …keeping
his wants at the forefront of all decision
making.
Let’s look at us, Malaysians in particular.
Although we have an abundance of nature,
such as the oldest tropical rainforest in the
heart of our country, it took us only a short
while to forget our relationship with nature,
the source of our physical and mental growth.
We clear lands without ever thinking of
replanting and start uncontrollable forest fires
which are meant to happen naturally, simply
because we want to clear the land for planting
or because we want to dispose waste without
going through a natural recycling phase.
Yes, we are a very young nation and the
awareness towards our environment is still
not taken as seriously or as lovingly as it
should be.
We plant beautiful flowers and guard our
gardens with insecticides and manure, yet
walk by without concern when even the limited
trees and forests are cleared up outside
our home.
Though some organisations are fighting to
protect nature, what we lack is the knowledge
of who the tree truly is. Generally, our knowledge
is limited to what we have all been taught
in school i.e. a tree gives oxygen and takes
carbon dioxide.
However, in the ancient times, the tribal
people to the simple villagers had great
respect for nature. From the Gawai festival,
Dininudi in America, Oktoberfest in Germany,
Lamas in Britain to Pongal in India is about
showing gratitude to nature. The people of
yesterday knew the importance of nature and
revered it.
This painting is an attempt to show people
the magnificence of a tree which is the very
pillar of nature. Composed first out of mathematics,
this painting is layered on the canvas
Tree of Life
using pixels, the formation of energy.
“But before I continue with the process, I
would like to share a story about how a tree
has come to being and its purpose which is
definitely more intense than the oxygen and
carbon dioxide story,” said artist Jeganathan
Ramachandram.
“Imagine a seed planted in the ground and
a young shoot pushes itself and starts moving
up. It will be green in colour and there will be
fine white hairs that will surround the tiny
plant.
“This greenish plant attracts passing dust
and a ring of dust starts forming and attaches
to the plant. As the dust accumulation
increases, the plant also grows bigger. From
a green, it turns to a brownish green and still
retaining the dampness, it will further attract
dust particles which are surrounding it.”
This goes on and on and more rings will be
formed. This is why when a tree is cut you will
find ring formations on it.
As the tree grows accumulating more and
more dust, a moment will come where the
dampness surrounding the tree cannot reach
the furthest end. Gradually you will find a solid
composition of dust, which is known as bark
forming all around the tree.
Each dust, an energy formation within
the tree is from its surrounding, either from a
54 february-march, green+.2015

ART
human, animal, matter and non-matter.
These droppings which we call as dead
cells hold memories for a stipulated
time.
A ‘dead cell’ in actuality is a cell that
is still vibrating with its own memory
but the only difference is that the link to
others has died.
Just like when we are learning. If we
do not apply what we have learnt, we
will forget easily however the minute
we apply it, we seem to have a greater
ability to retain it.
Similarly a dead cell will retain its
memory the minute it starts communicating.
Therefore when this dead cell
merges with the tree it is then communicating
with a greater pool of cells thus
increasing its vibration exponentially.
Now imagine a mature tree holding
millions and billions of cells that
contains memories which is now interacting
with each other and vibrating,
how will that affect its environment?
History has showed us over and over
again how great thinkers and saints of
the past have spent time under a tree
and had revelations and visions.
A great example will be Buddha who
sat under the Bodhi tree and went into
self-realisation. When his form interacted
with the memory of the tree long
enough and consistently he became
part of the tree and all the memories of
the tree became part of him too.
Now look closely at the painting and
you will be able to see different images be
it a human face or some other formation
that will keep appearing as you keep
observing. This is to show the many
memories that live in the tree.
Another interesting aspect of this
painting is that the lighting was not governed
by the usual rules of application.
Lighting in this painting corresponded
more with and represented the inherent
vibration of the particular space. Hence
you will notice in certain spaces colours
are meeting and then merging just as it
does when two energy vibrations meet.
There are three octaves in the nine
divisions of colours used in the center
frame based on sound vibrations.
Importance is given to ‘yellow merged
into green’ which symbolises the sound
vibration of the word ‘Hati’, which is also
the note ‘Ma’ in Indian classical music. The
title ‘Hati’ was chosen keeping in mind the
two resonating beats of the heart.
In the “art of mirroring” when
the mind sees a definite colour which
responds to a definite emotion, an
interactive state occurs. ‘Ma’ the colour
yellow, originates at the chest portion
of the body while the colour green
which is of nature, originates from the
surrounding.
The meeting of the two makes “…life
Jega’s fellow artists surprised him with a painting
during the launch of the “Hati” exhibition.
From left are Mageswary, Manon, Seema, Jega,
Jayshree and Rohini
Imagine a seed planted
in the ground and a
young shoot pushes itself
and starts moving up. It will
be green in colour and there
will be fine white hairs that
will surround the tiny plant”
– Jeganathan Ramachandram
imitate art”.
While the pixels of vibrations depict
the ethereal timeframe, there is a realtime
set on this canvas. The bird and the
Slow Loris represent the fast and the
slow state of “relative time”.
The Slow Loris was specially chosen
as there is a belief in tribal cultures that
it is the gatekeeper of heaven and it is
also known as ‘Kaatu Papa’, which literally
means child of the forest in Tamil.
The crystal ball which she is holding is a
special gift from nature to mankind, to
be a part of a natural existence.
“The forest clouds which are seen
like mist, is another important part in
this painting. Though many may take
a jungle walk thinking that it’s merely
a physical exercise, actual benefit of
the forest is the pure oxygen which is
released in the forest much similar to the
clouds in the sky.
“The door signifies the outer world of
noise and balance in day-to-day living
while the inner realm shows the matrix
of life. The eight directions along with the
colours and contours creates a balance
in the mind of the viewer,” added Jega..
“Finally, more than just a painting,
it is my belief that every art piece
communicates, influences and shapes
its surroundings so much so, that life
imitates Art.”
Jega and fellow artists – Jayshree
Ramasamy, Angela Natashia Joseph,
Mageswary Manickam, Manonmoney
Ramadass, Rohini Indran and Seema
Nanoo – have put their paintings on
display at University of Malaya Art
Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.
green+.2015 , february-march 55

FEATURE
Malaysia’s strength
in technology
development is at par with
the other ASEAN countries.
But in some areas,
such as biotechnology,
nanotechnology and
green technology
development shows that
our achievement in R&D is
more significant.”
Deputy MOSTI Minister,
Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah
Symbiosis
56 february-march, green+.2015

FEATURE
MOSTI confident of achieving
systematic reforms
Malaysia has the ability to develop rich insights
Interview with Deputy MOSTI Minister,
Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah
By Aniz Adura Abdul Majid
Q: Datuk, we would appreciate
if you please to share
with us your aspirations
of taking MOSTI to greater
heights in the next five
years?
Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar: As Malaysia’s
progress towards becoming a highincome
nation status by year 2020,
the Ministry Science, Technology and
Innovation (MOSTI) has taken various
initiative to emphasis richness of science,
technology knowledge based and
innovation-led for enhancing competitiveness
of countries in the twenty first
countries.
The role of science, technology
and innovation in achieving these
aspirations has become increasingly
crucial as we need to move robustly
in transforming our economy and
remain competitive. MOSTI has to promote
radically on adoption of science,
technology and innovation as strategic
enablers to drive the country to higher
levels. This will include in more R&D to
benefit the people, more affordable local
technology through commercialisation,
development of comprehensive
ecosystems, quality human capital and
efficient deployment of various technology
platforms in multi-disciplines.
MOSTI is truly confident that in the
next five years, Malaysia will achieve
systematic reforms in addressing the
key elements of shortcoming in latest
technical validation and emerging technologies.
With all the facilitation and
expertise from various levels, Malaysia
has the ability to develop rich insights
about the need for the nation and foresight
about where the next challenges
worldwide.
Q: You have been in the office as the
Deputy Minister of MOSTI for slightly
more than a year. Could you please
share with us your thoughts on your
success and what more needs to be
done to help Malaysia move forward to
gain a competitive edge in the global
arena?
Abu Bakar: Science, Technology and
Innovation is part of the economy
system that lead to commercialization
process. For the government, the risk
in R&D funding is that a large proportion
of grants do not lead to outputs
which can be commercialised. The
challenges posed by R&D commercialisation
span a number of dimensions,
difficulty in identifying commercially
viable products, difficult to source
strategic partners and funding for
commercialization. While, the industry
more typically interested in commercially-ready
products to connect to the
market.
It is important that R&D conducted
caters to the market and industry needs
to determine the appropriate type of
technology developed whereby market
intelligence and forecast can assist
entrepreneurs. Network / collaboration
between industry and universities and
research institutes will benefit entrepreneurs
for the long term. We need
to further support products/technology
that are of strategic needs for the
country with better funding support/
facilitation.
Development of technologically
competitive product is no longer a
luxury at our own pace and resources, it
would require collaboration with other
strengths on a global scale to stay ahead
of the game. Our R&D outputs must
be relevant, required and demanded
to generate profits and return on
investments.
MOSTI is currently in consultation
with Treasury on the Government/
Public Procurement & GLC policy to
support buying locally developed
technology/solution to have good initial
market prior to going abroad. Foreign
buyers will often inquire whether our
R&D products have had local purchases
where preferential is given to products
that meet regulatory/statutory/technical
requirement/compliance.
Q: With the launching of MCY 2014
recently, what is your aspiration for
the development of entrepreneurship
and/or technopreneurship among
Malaysians through science, technology
and innovation?
Abu Bakar: The Ministry of Science,
Technology and Innovation has
aligned the year 2014 as MOSTI
Commercialisation Year (MCY2014)
to bridge the commercialisation gap
and to act as a catalyst for R&D commercialisation.
MOSTI is committed in
making MCY2014 a platform for commercialising
potential R&D products
funded by MOSTI and her agencies’
grants/programme.
The MCY2014 provides a platform in
pave the way to bring early technologies
out of the lab into the market place
and remain competitive. The Ministry
also had pool of access to top-vetted
innovation from various institutions,
industries and agencies through
business and technology matching
programmes regularly in facilitating.
The MCY2014 initiative will drive
the strengths and expertise of MOSTI
and her agencies to facilitate and
mitigate issues and challenges faced
by researchers and industry in achieving
commercialisation. MOSTI hopes
that with MCY2014, the current commercialisation
rate which is at 8% will
increase to 10 -15% which is at par with
developed nations.
Q: How confident are you that MOSTI
would be able to achieve the desired
target of commercializing 60 products
annually? Which are the key industry
clusters?
Abu Bakar: Based on our statistics, a
total of 8,000 research projects were
approved and 340 products have been
successfully commercialised under
the Ninth and Tenth Malaysia Plan
amounting a total of RM4.8 billion. I
am very confident that we can achieve
the desired target of 60 products to be
commercialised by the end of the year.
At this mid-year junction, we have
successfully launched more than 40
products under the MCY2014 initiative.
The targeted products from successful
grant recipients will be sought
from various areas of technology
including ICT, nanotechnology and
biotechnology.
Q: What criteria are being used by your
Ministry to select the range of products
to be commercialized in a year?
Abu Bakar: The range of products will
be selected from amongst the successful
projects funded by MOSTI and
agencies. The targeted products from
green+.2015 , february-march 57

FEATURE
successful grant recipients will be sought
from various areas of technology including
ICT, nanotechnology, biotechnology. The
criteria of products selected include its sales
potential and return of investment, market
readiness, certified by respective authority
such as Ministry of Health for healthcare
products; price competitiveness and other
benefits compared with existing products in
the market.
Focus will also be aligned to the strategic/
priority areas identified for the country as a
long term measure by capitalizing on national
resources and sustainability such as energy,
health and education.
The potential products will be selected and
given due diligence where they will be subjected
by MOSTI to the following requirements:
assessment and evaluation on the
commercial readiness of completed
technology/R&D listed/claimed. Substantive
support/evidence will need to be provided
which includes market data/validation,
compliance, meeting technical requirements/
regulation
address funding gap to assist and
accelerate the commercial readiness and
attractiveness to investors
leverage/capitalise on government STI
infrastructure to head start on commercial
production for market testing, validation.
Government-funded pilot plant can be the
early options prior to investing big manufacturing
plant.
provision of financial incentives to entrepreneurs/industries
for utilising government
support facilities to lower the cost of entry
barrier into commercial production.
Q: What would be the projected revenue
contribution to the national economy from
those products that are successfully commercialized
for the current year and/or next
three years?
Abu Bakar: MOSTI’s objective is to commercialise
60 products annually to the sales value
of RM800 million under its research grants
this year and totaling 360 products by 2020.
What I mean by commercialisation is to
have the R&D products procured and used by
the public and private sectors. The other part
is available on the shelves in supermarkets/
shops nationwide. Priority is to make all the
products available to the local market, the
aim is to also expand local products overseas.
More local companies should make use
of local technology instead of using similar
imported technologies.
Q: How much has your Ministry allocated for
the commercialization of the 60 products for
this year?
Abu Bakar: During the Ninth Malaysian Plan
from 2006 to 2010, 314 products were successfully
commercialised with a value of RM2.9
billion.
The Ministry has approved a total of RM661
million under the Tenth Malaysia Plan to date
for R&D projects under MOSTI funds.
For the year 2014, an initial budget of
RM3 million is allocated for the MCY2014
programme for activities to support products
achieve the commercialization status such
as training, promotion, publicity under the 9
initiatives of MCY2014.
Q: How would you rate Malaysia’s strength
against its ASEAN neighbours in technology
development and innovations?
Abu Bakar: Malaysia’s strength in technology
development is at par with the other ASEAN
countries. But in some areas, such as biotechnology,
nanotechnology and green technology
development shows that our achievement in
R&D is more significant. Both the Economic
Transformation Programme (ETP) and
Government Transformation Programme
(GTP) are the main synergy to robust our R&D
and technological development to the nation.
Malaysia leverages on their strengths and
their resources to ensure that they are able
to innovate and have new breakthroughs in
their priority sectors as stated in our national
agenda.
Q: Apart from the various grants provided
by MOSTI, what other assistance are in the
pipeline to assist Malaysian entrepreneurs
and technopreneurs to be more competitive?
Abu Bakar: MOSTI has introduced initiatives
under the MCY2014 Technology
Commercialisation Platform to address
common issues in commercialising
R&D products namely the Technology
Commercialisation Platform (TCP).
The TCP consists of four main components
which are Capacity Building Program,
Product Development Program, Access to
Market Facilitation Program and Access to
Infrastructure Facilitation Program.
The Capacity Building Program will
emphasize on building technical and business
management skills through a comprehensive
and integrated coaching program. The Product
Development Program will provide facilitation
for product and service improvement through
labelling, branding and product redesign,
clinical testing and standards to fulfill market
demands. This program will also help in
understanding the market needs/marketability
of products to the mass.
MOSTI will also facilitate through Access
to Market and Access to Infrastructure
Programs where the technopreneurs will
be assisted in marketing programmes at
national and international level or facilities
will be made available to them through
incubator programmes for access to
machinery and equipment. High impact R&D
Commercialisation products will also be
given the opportunity to partake in national
or international platforms through exhibitions
and conferences such as INTRADE,
MAHA.
To ensure widespread share of information
and promotion purposes, an R&D
Directory will be consolidated for easy reference
to investors, industries and researchers.
Potential R&D products for commercialisation
will also be listed in the MOSTI website
for easy search and access. An R&D Gallery
will also be open to highlight successful
commercialised R&D products under MCY. –
Symbiosis
58 february-march, green+.2015

ENVIRONMENT
English Garden
Spring is in the air
This year is expected to better last year’s record of 43 international participants
For the first time ever, the
Royal FLORIA Putrajaya will
showcase its very own Spring
and Winter Gardens on May
30-June 7, which is also a
first during school holidays, at its permanent
site, Anjung Fiona in Precinct
4, Putrajaya.
Benchmarking the Chelsea Flower
Show, the largest festival of flowers
and gardens in this region will be
Pinwheel
Garden
back with more attractive colours
and varieties of flora to tantalize your
imagination. Themed ‘Tapestry of Hues’,
Royal FLORIA Putrajaya 2015 promises
an exhibition of the theme flower Lily
and its family in specially designed
gardens and exhibits.
The 8th edition of Malaysia’s
very own international flower and
garden festival hosted by Perbadanan
Putrajaya (PPj), with the cooperation
of the Ministry of Federal Territories
and Tourism Malaysia, is expected to
be bigger and better with various new
components that is expected to bring in
more local visitors and foreign tourists.
Effective this year, Putrajaya Floria
Sdn Bhd (PFSB), a wholly owned
subsidiary of PjC, will manage Royal
FLORIA Putrajaya.
International participants are a big
draw at FLORIA with more making
Royal Garden
60 february-march, green+.2015

ENVIRONMENT
By JOHNSON FERNANDEZ
Spring Garden
appearances each year. This year is
expected to better last year’s record
of 43 international participants from
23 nations. About 50 international
participants are targeted, namely floral
designers and landscape architects
from Australia, Cambodia, Canada,
China, Denmark, Ecuador, Hong Kong/
Macau, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan,
Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand,
Netherlands, Oman, Philippines,
Republic of Moldova, Singapore,
Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and United
Kingdom.
They will exhibit indoor and outdoor
garden displays besides giving visitors
an insight into the creativity and expertise
of local and international landscape
designers via numerous outdoor garden
displays by government agencies,
corporate bodies, private sector, associations,
growers, universities as well as
secondary and primary schools.
During the Press conference of
the Royal FLORIA Putrajaya 2015 last
month, Tan Sri (Dr.) Aseh Che Mat
said: “As part of efforts to place Royal
FLORIA Putrajaya as a destination on
the international flower shows map as
well as towards our branding, we would
be inviting organisers of other international
shows like Chelsea Flower Show
and Melbourne Flower Show to Royal
FLORIA Putrajaya.
“Furthermore, new components are
also being put in place as more offerings
to visitors and our loyal followers of the
last seven outings.
“Among them are the Spring and
Winter Gardens that will provide a
simulation of spring and winter gardens
in Europe during those seasons, with
actual snow fall.
“These gardens will provide a new
experience to visitors not only in terms
of weather and temperature that is
controlled with the use of technology,
but also flowers like tulips and roses.
“Roses from Kenya are said to be
the best in the world and we have the
opportunity to appreciate the beauty
of these flowers at Royal FLORIA
Putrajaya. Our gardens would be the
first outdoor Spring and Winter Gardens
in a flower show in Malaysia.
“The Floral Pavilion which has
always been a focal point for visitors
will present the all new Embassy Row.
Embassy Row will be supported by
several Embassies representing their
Fantasy
Garden
Spa
Garden
Natural Resources And Environmen
Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel makes
no secret that he’s passionate about the
environment.
respective countries In an interview to showcase with Green+, he
flowers said the from federal their government countries in was various leaving no stone
variations, unturned in designs its efforts and creative to create compositions.
between wooded For the land record, and development. the High This was
a healthy balance
Commission Malaysia’s commitment of Kenya is the at the first Earth to join Summit in Brazi
our in 1992. Embassy Row.”
For the ease of visitors who are
expected G+: How successful to come in has hordes, the Malaysian entrance governmen
ticket been to counters ensure at will least open 50 per two cent days of its land area
before are under FLORIA forests kicks and off, tree on May cover 28 in and accordance with
29 our from commitment 9.00 am to made 7.00 pm. at the Earth Summit in Rio de
Janeiro, A special Brazil, in package 1992? for visitors
has A: Malaysia also been is committed introduced, to that maintain is the at least 50% o
Friendship her land area Pack under for forest Anjung and tree Floria cover in perpetuity
Blooms as pledged Pack under for Royal the 1992 FLORIA Rio Earth Summit
and
Putrajaya This is attained 2015 marketed through the through protection travel of forests and
agencies the application locally of and Sustainable internationally Forest Managemen
with (SFM) the practices. support To of date, Tourism the forest Malaysia cover for Malaysia
who is approximately is assisting 61% with which promotional
amounts to 20.31 million
efforts hectares for of FLORIA the total Royal land Putrajaya area. 2015.
As To achieve with each the country’s edition of commitment, Royal various
FLORIA efforts have Putrajaya, been carried a number out of by awards the Ministry and the
are respective up for grabs. departments These include such the as: Royal
FLORIA preservation Putrajaya and International conservation Cup of for forests through
the forest winning rehabilitation design among program international
abandoned participants and degraded at the Floral land Pavilion, areas;
like tree planting in
Royal FLORIA Putrajaya Garden Cup
for the overall winner of the outdoor
garden showcase and the Royal FLORIA
International Orchid Competition.
Winter Garden
green+.2015 , february-march 61

NamCheong 210mmx 275mm-2.pdf 1 17/12/14 7:48 PM
FEATURE
By NUR AIMI IBRAHIM
The Majilis Agama Islam Melaka
(MAIM) officially launched the
State’s RimbunanKaseh smart village
last year.
The purpose of the project is
simple yet noble. It is to sustainably improve
the livelihoods of the less fortunate through
the provision of modern affordable houses and
employment opportunities.
The launch ceremony was graced by Prime
Minister, Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Razak and various
notables including the Chief Minister of
IRIS Rimbunan Kaseh
project launched in Malacca
To sustainably improve the livelihoods of the less fortunate
Malacca, Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Director-
General of the Implementation Coordination
Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan
Sri Shukry Mohd Salleh.
Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Razak and Datuk Seri Idris Haron during the launch of the project. - Pic by Symbiosis
Impressed with the RimbunanKaseh
program, the Prime Minister said it embodies
transformation. Dato’ Seri Najib added that he
has been very interested in and supportive
of the RimbunanKaseh program because it
is able to provide better quality of life to the
poorer population in rural areas.
Taman RimbunanKasehSerkam accommodates
100 families with IRIS KOTO IBS
homes, providing over 1,000 square feet
of comfortable living space to each family.
Families participating in this program are to
work in the modern integrated farm where
IRIS Autopot and Aquaponic systems are
applied to produce several varieties of premium
melons, vegetables and fish such as
Jade Perch, Tilapia and Catfish.
IRIS has derived the winning formula in
providing comfortable homes and sustainable
jobs to the underprivileged with the
RimbunanKaseh project. Up to six additional
sites are scheduled for completion in both
East and West Malaysia by the end of 2014,
benefitting more underprivileged families and
communities. - Symbiosis
Bursa launches environmental, social and governance index
Bursa Malaysia Berhad (“Bursa
Malaysia” or “the Exchange”)
announced the launch of the
Environmental, Social and
Governance (ESG) Index last
December and realised the Prime Minister’s
vision in Budget 2014 for it to be introduced.
The FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia (F4GBM)
Index was developed in collaboration with
FTSE as part of the globally benchmarked
FTSE4Good Index Series and is aligned with
other leading global ESG frameworks such
as the Global Reporting Initiative and the
Carbon Disclosure Project.
The F4GBM Index is used to measure
the performance of companies demonstrating
strong Environmental, Social and
Governance practices. Constituents of the
new index must meet internationally benchmarked
criteria that measure such things
as efforts in environmental conservation,
the impact of social responsibility initiatives
on the community and the practice of good
governance through responsible and ethical
decision making.
The CEO of Bursa Malaysia Berhad, Dato’
Tajuddin Atan said: “The introduction of our
F4GBM index will let people look at value
from a new perspective, one that takes into
consideration non-financial aspects such
as a company’s environmental and societal
initiatives. Investors, shareholders, and
clients are expecting greater responsibility
and transparency from companies and their
investments1 and F4GBM will be the reference
point and benchmark that companies
can aspire to in efforts to step-up the standards
in stakeholder value creation.”
Bursa Malaysia’s conversation on
sustainability started almost a decade ago
with the introduction of the Bursa Malaysia
Corporate Responsibility framework in
2006, which was subsequently followed by
the Shariah-based indices and corporate
governance guidelines for listed companies
in 2007.
The launch of their first index based
on principles of sustainable investment is
another commitment to the longevity of the
marketplace.
The CEO of FTSE, Mark Makepeace said:
“There is growing momentum from investors
wanting to apply ESG into investment
decisions. We are, therefore, delighted to
collaborate with Bursa Malaysia again to
launch this pioneering index and associated
ESG Ratings which further builds on the successful
partnership between the Exchange
and FTSE.”
There have been a number of studies
looking at Socially Responsible Investment
(SRI) funds and indices to test how they
perform against the broader market. One of
the most comprehensive studies considered
20 separate academic cases which showed
evidence of a positive relationship between
ESG factors and portfolio performance in half
of these, with seven reporting a neutral effect
and three a negative association.
The index, available from Dec 22 last
year, is the latest step in the sustainability
roadmap of the Exchange that includes its
commitment to maintain high standards of
corporate governance in the marketplace
and was made possible with funding from
the Capital Market Development Fund.
The constituents of the FTSE4Good Bursa
Malaysia are available at http://www.bursamalaysia.com/market/products-services/
indices/ftse-bursa-malaysiaindices/overview/
62 february-march, green+.2015

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SCITECH
Astronomers rule
(In their universe)
10,000 model galaxies are studied over 300 million light years
The Eagle in this project does
not land. It can fly forwards or
backward to represent the
whole universe as it banged
and evolved its way to our
tiny position as a planet near a minor
star.
The University of Durham in the UK
(and the Pierre et Marie Curie University
connected with LIP6 in Paris, France)
have announced that a paper of the
Royal Astronomical Society will explain
how accurately their powerful computers
model the galaxies.
More galaxies from Hubble here and
recent discoveries such as the most
mature galaxies keep expanding our
ideas of the whole universe and especially
its dark matter, so this assembly
of all current ideas will be useful to keep
us all in the true picture, as well as good
fodder for computer games.
The Eagle (Evolution and Assembly
of GaLaxies and their Environments)
You know
that moment
when you just
can’t grasp the
argument. Well
EAGLE, here
represented by
old baldie, hope
to represent
everything you
ever wanted
to know that
happened in the
Universe!
Project is a name given to Prof. Richard
Bower and several other European
researchers computations in the socalled
Virgo Consortium using these
universities’ enormous computers and
several other facilities.
He explains that using seven billion
particles means lengthy calculations,
but an apparently true model of all the
facets of known galactic behaviours
has resulted. 10,000 model galaxies are
studied over 300 million light years. That
takes us back almost to the Big Bang,
with the scene of a starless, galaxy-less
universe with only “baryonic matter”
present to form such structures along
with that terrifying dark matter.
Collapsing supernovae, “supermassive
black holes” and active galactic
nuclei (AGN) play around with our delicate
galaxies in devastations enough
to satisfy even Stephen Hawkings. You
could almost see the model as a giant
computer game that you can play and
play again.
Temperatures of course are spectacular,
with 100,000K in hot gases
structures we can detect with X-rays in
the real Universe. The real achievement
in this model is the beauty of a false
Milky Way, having realistic spirals in its
stellar disc.
It is a giant cosmology which
uses “hydrodynamical simulation”
within the DIRAC-2 supercomputer in
Durham. Galactic winds can also blow
gas away and destroy thousands of
potential galaxies in full colour (!!!) as
simulations develop from 13.8 billion
years ago.
Now, progress will see us with better
and better models of how the Sun will
decay and how we reached the current
8-planetary status. Even better, let’s
get rid of this disastrous environmental
mess of a planet (and its hopeless
humans) and build a better Universe
- without us! – www.earthtimes.org
64 february-march, green+.2015

SCITECH
Ready for lift off. The leopard frog can make
giant leaps, but how does its body magnify
the energy of its leg muscles exactly?
A giant leap for
frog-kind
Mechanism lies in elastic energy stored
in powerful legs
Mammals that cannot
see in the light
THE SLOTHS, anteaters and armadillos are a puzzlesome group. Genomic
studies have finally revealed their intricate relationships but what about
their ancestors? One thing stands out in their very ancient past. They all
have monochromatic vision, now confirmed as due to the lack of cones
in their retina.
With several genomes to work on, a common ancestor with at most,
an limited-cone monochrome type of vision was most likely. The group,
the Xenarthra, therefore had lived in dim-light conditions such as those
found in subterranean habitats.
The nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, the two-toed
sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni, and the extinct ground sloth Mylodon darwini,
were used for sequencing analysis. Five more armadillos, two more
sloths and two more anteaters were also compared.
The cone and phototransduction genes were generally inactivated,
with a large deletion in Dasypus and Mylodon. This implies that 95mya, a
stem ancestor was similarly vision deficient. A mutation in the two-toed
sloth is similar to that in pygmy sperm whales and a false vampire bat, as
well as in three-toed sloths and some armadillos.
That means that 80 mya, monochromatic vision was likely in the early
ancestral forms. Whether they were nocturnal or not is a valid question,
as all mammals could have adopted that habit at the time, because of
reptilian competition.
The frog is a marvel of
engineering. We always
suspected that unique
shape had hidden assets.
Henry C. Astley and
TJ Roberts from Austin’s Brown
University in the US have looked at
“The mechanics of elastic loading
and recoil in anuran jumping” in the
Journal of Experimental Biology
and concluded that the soft body of
the amphibian has a dynamic catch
mechanism similar to a jumping
insect. The grasshopper and flea have
hard chitinised limbs to lock together
as a storage device, unlike the softbodied
vertebrate.
This mechanism lies in the elastic
energy that can be stored in the powerful
legs when they brace against
the ground in preparation for those
world-beating leaps. Kicking in water
for example would not be able to exert
the same force that is achieved in
elastic energy.
Henry put it succinctly with
“Jumping vertebrates lack a clear
anatomical catch, yet face the same
requirement to load the elastic structure
prior to movement”
The investigation to discover the
mechanism began with X-ray filming
of that power leap. Using minute metal
markers to help the X-rays detect
every change, Rana pipiens (the
leopard frog) displayed an unfurling of
the limbs just 150msecs before lift off.
With further records of the forces
exerted on the ground by the feet,
power could be calculated. The plantaris
extensor muscle of the ankle
produced maximum power at 1352W
per kg. This is quadruple the amount
of power that a normal muscle can
produce, which means elastic energy
is being stored and used to power the
leap.
The leg movement reconstruction
indicated how the ankle was
the site where frogs adjusted their
posture to alter leverage and forces
acting around the joint. Leverage
is poor as the frog prepares its leap
and there is no movement at the
ankle because the ground has great
resistance. Then the “dynamic catch
mechanism” releases the stored
energy to launch the truly dynamic
frog! Simple Huh! – www.earthtimes.
org
What a poser! These Florideans are all the same, but the 9-banded
armadillo is found throughout the two American continents. His
ancestry seems to confer the monochromatic poor vision that results in
a tragic history of traffic accidents. He is regarded as a pest, but also the
state mammal within Texas!
The Xenarthrans (sloths, armadillos and anteaters) are the only
mammal group to be monochromatic at 65.5 mya. The modern examples
must have poor vision in dim light and total blindness in bright light. The
low light of rainforest possibly provides limited vision for them. With the
number of traffic accidents for armadillos and ant eaters, conservation
now needs to take account of their degenerate vision, or careless drivers!
Christopher A. Emerling and Mark S. Springer of the University of
California, Riverside, propose that a subterranean origin explains most,
if not all, of this group being rod monochromatic. The paper can be found
in Proc.Roy.Soc.B as, Genomic evidence for rod monochromacy in sloths
and armadillos suggests early subterranean history for Xenarthra.
A genetic bottleneck would result from their underground existence
at around the infamous K-Pg boundary (the mass extinction event
after the Chicxulub impact.) Their likely burrowing habit would also
ensure some survived the terrible repercussions and infra-red radiation
Subsequent evolution would produce their terrestrial and arboreal
descendants, which all have borrowing features, even when they don’t
use them.
Other mammals possibly survived in a similar fashion, and there
is one fossil to indicate this. What happened to these unique mammals
helped them through a crisis but has limited their evolution in many ways
since. – www.earthtimes.org
green+.2015 , february-march 65

POLITICS
Notres dames in this case are the mayor of
Paris and the Ecology Minister. No real person is
displayed here, but the argument seems to have
given the ladies concerned quite a headache, too.
Jaime la belle Paris, mais sacre bleu!
Increase in Parisians without cars has gone up from 40% to 60%
Paris is perhaps a paragon in
terms of making efforts to control
air pollution. All the largest cities
worldwide have huge emissions
of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides
and particulates, to name only major pollutants.
These airborne nuisances have various
sources.
Traffic is major, with nearby power stations
being the big carbon emitters. Households
today take centre stage with the French
Ecology Minister using her penchant for stylish
edicts to object to a local authority ban on wood
fires.
During Christmas, log fires were on the mind
of many Parisians. However, the mayor of Paris,
another elegant lady, had a go at stopping the
annual pollution canyon of the Champs Elysées
and environs by banning non-residents’ cars.
Ségolène Royal made her ministerial ploy
clear, with open fireplaces part of her own
Xmas plans.
Closed-combustion fires are more sensible
and quite “clean” in a city, of course, so hopefully
there were few fires still smoking into the
air. Asthmatics and other respiratory sufferers
are severely affected by carbon particles
of all sizes, although the insidious tiny PM2.5
particles (ie. sized at less than 2.5microns) from
diesel exhaust present a much greater threat in
this century.
Mme Royal was very surprised by the
regional department’s ban throughout
hundreds of other towns and cities in the Ile
de-France region around the capital. They
seemed to believe that 23% of PM2.5 emissions
came from domestic fires, equal to those from
vehicles.
Airparif is a local monitor of Parisian air,
quoting the true figures as 39% from cars and
4% from wood burning. Perhaps we need to
look at gas and oil heating too! If you are interested
in Paris becoming a real island, along
with many other cities, this is our story on the
effect of those carbon emissions.
The car ban by Anne Hidalgo follows a
necessary step last March when pollution
reached very high levels. While it starts at
weekends, this new ban will soon be extended
to the whole week. Previous French fuel
policies have encouraged high-pollution diesel
engines, but they will be banned completely
by 2020.
Many could find the 30kph speed limit
throughout the city disconcerting anyway and
sensibly leave their cars in the garage. In three
years, the increase in Parisians without cars
has gone up from 40% to 60%. I am sure the
European cities with similar problems all have
reduced numbers of car owners, with many
opting for the Oslo solution of electric cars.
London resembles Paris in having ring
routes that clog regularly, which is enough
to prevent traffic flow, but unfortunately
increases pollution. In North America or Asia,
ploys need considering where diesel vehicles
have been employed for public service or
trucking.
Perhaps the highlight here is having two
ladies getting out their handbags for a full
confrontation. At least that will show up the
need for more discussion on how the problems
of cities can be dealt with before this century
gets any older. Immigrants and workers from
the provinces come to the arrondissements
of Paris and every other capital. They need
to adapt to the new cycle lanes, the heating
systems and the incredible traffic, as most citizens
of every nation do more and more. That is
why the central parts of Paris now have 20,980
people per km2. – www.earthtimes.org
66 february-march, green+.2015

ENERGY
Renewable energy targets for 2020 in the EU
caused dramatic drops in market share
Wind reps are full of hot air!
It is reported that fuel companies
have been using the lobbying card
to destroy democratic voting in
renewable energy organisations
since 2010.
The weapon of vast capital resources
has pushed their representatives
onto trade bodies such as EWEA (The
European Wind Energy Association),
and EPIA (The European Photovoltaic
Industry Association.) Such obvious
policies work in nations like the US, but
lobbying has never been acceptable in
these situations, no matter which country
is involved.
Total, Iberdrola, Eon and Enel and
the chemical companies, Dupont and
Wacker Chemie are now in dominant
(majority) situations in organisations
in which they have no obvious position.
The point they are pushing is not coal or
oil, but the advantage that gas has over
these fossils.
Influencing the EU transition to
renewables could earn them breathing
space as Russian gas and then new
fracking sites provide for a generation
of energy. Along with nuclear energy
(zero emissions), gas is often reported as
creating less emissions (50%) than coal.
The ridiculous notion that gas can be
compared with the renewable energies
is being proposed now on bodies that
should be properly representing their
named renewables.
Renewable energy targets for 2020 in
the EU caused dramatic drops in market
share for fossil fuel multinationals and
others. EWEA wanted 45% of renewable
energy in the EU by 2030 before the
“takeover”.
Now it wants to restrict this target to
only 30% with many of these so-called
representatives wanting no target at all.
The EU finally agreed on 27%, with this
advice prominent in its deliberations.
The UK and Poland have long been
unambitious about these targets, as
their current governments dream of
fracking and coal as their personal
energy futures. The pseudo-renewable
advice allowed them to have their way.
In 2011 Total began controlling the
solar manufacturer, SunPower, with
this company’s director becoming the
president of EPIA. EPIA then became
a subsidiary of Total and its allies, with
most of the policy officers leaving.
Then began a strange relationship
with EWEA, who had also developed
The greening
of our energy
suppliers
varies from
using some
renewable to
the latest trick
of pretending
to represent
the bodies
responsible for
them.
representatives of energy companies
(Alstom, EDF, and 13 others) while the
19 national wind energy associations
of 2012 have drastically reduced in
numbers. The EWEA argument was
for 100% renewable energy targets for
Europe in 2030, using hydro-power. Now
the argument is that gas is cheaper and
useful as a “bridge technology”
Recently, a lobby group called “Gas
Naturally” has tried to become associated
with the two renewable energy
groups, EWEA and EPIA. Naturally,
their leaders welcomed them. It is up to
newspapers, politicians and of course,
this year’s voters to dump these people
where they belong.
Big business is fine, but illegal and
immoral actions need to be punished.
The really big business for the future
is renewables, but spurious argument
from rich multinational organisations
can’t be allowed to influence the nontechnical
among politicians and those
vital voters.
Greening is hopefully the slogan for
this year, as Paris approaches and several
elections bring in some new faces
(and “renewable‘ old ones!). – www.
earthtimes.org
green+.2015 , february-march 67

In the Biology Letters of the Royal
Society, H. J. Nichols, M. A. Cant, I.
Hoffman and J. Sanderson are the
authors of a foul calumny against
the mongoose race! Working at
Bielefeld University in Germany and
Exeter and Liverpool John Moores
University, they have discovered incest
in the family.
It is no joke, as several human populations
have discovered in the past. The
genetic disadvantage of inbreeding
depression in the banded mongoose is
countered by survival gains in remaining
with the social group. Because of
this close sociability, banded mongoose
are basically very large meerkats,
Suricata suricatta, which we all know
have great social survival skills.
Breeding between close relatives,
as the authors say, “unmasks harmful
recessive alleles”. Even females in this
species mate with strangers when
the frequent group fights give them
a chance to copulate, very briefly! In
theory the inbreeding would:
increase inclusive fitness
increase cooperative benefits.
A large genetic dataset was therefore
prepared for Mungos mungo groups
with a mean number size of 18.
With all females allowed to breed
(unlike the meerkat), the animals
NATURE
Mongoose inbreeding
maintains
social system?
Even females in this species mate with strangers
remain in their natal groups throughout.
Pups are reared communally so that
mating after adolescence is often with
familiar individuals, though siblings may
not be recognised. If a new group forms,
a cohort of females from a group meet
with a cohort of males from another.
Older groups with small numbers would
have high levels of inbreeding.
Twenty microsatellite markers
marked out parentage for some group
members while the frequency of female
breeding in the group was noted in the
14 groups found in Uganda’s Queen
Elizabeth National Park. This study took
16 years with animals habituated to
observation within a 5m distance. Every
few days, the whole life cycle could be
tracked and every dispersal or breeding
The human efforts at incest are thankfully rare nowadays, but at least 3 social species mange to
produce viable populations with very close inbreeding systems. It is the rarity of their achievement
that makes it important to study, despite the obvious loss of genetic fitness. This close family illustrates
the banded mongoose at its best, with high survival levels in their cutthroat carnivorous niche!
event recorded.
The results were analysed for 516
pups, 64% of which had been born to
females that used resident males as
fathers. 18% were born to females
mated with extra-group males and
18% were born to females that had
dispersed from the group. Most of the
latter pups were fathered by the resident
males (ie. 77 out of 95 pups.) As a
group aged, relatedness of parent pairs
increased significantly, but smaller
groups did not follow that expected
pattern.
Inbreeding appears to be regular
in the banded mongoose. Detailed
analysis reveals 8.5% of cases with
close inbreeding and a further 16.7 % of
moderate inbreeding in the pedigrees.
Prairie dogs and meerkats have similar
patterns of inbreeding but these few
species stand out in the mass of less
sociable mammals.
Father/daughter incest was the
most common (there were 8 examples),
as mothers often die before their sons
reach a normal breeding age of up to
four years old. No mother/son breeding
was recorded in 170 observations. Other
mammals avoid this inbreeding by
dispersing the females at adolescence
or mating beyond the group. Why does
this mongoose inbreed. It could be the
extremely high mortality rate within
the new groups studied here. They suffered
treble the normal deaths. Violence
is also the answer to outbreeding for
females, as their groups are always at
war.
The importance of this paper lies
in the use of these rare examples
of “inbreeders” to discover how the
genome and the social system cope with
the strain. Obviously, there are benefits,
but it is extremely useful to know if
and how the alleles that would reduce
individuals fitness are dealt with in the
species. It would be useful for conservation
if the famed Malagasy fossa were to
be investigated to see just how sociable
or inbred its system of mating is. These
magnificent predators are a giant
mongoose, with severe conservation
worries. – www.earthtimes.org
68 february-march, green+.2015

NATURE
THE mammals are often
regarded as the most successful
group on the Earth
and the 2nd most diverse
mammalian group is the
metatheria - those that don’t have the
placenta (like our group. the sister group
of the eutheria).
A good reason to be interested in
their history and their extant members
is their place as joint members of the
therian group with ourselves. That relationship
is examined in a book which
brings recent research on these slightly
neglected mammals into focus. We
have some placental evolution here , as
they radiated more recently, for a good
comparison.
Thomas E. Williamson, Stephen
L. Brusatte, Gregory P. Wilson of the
Universities of Edinburgh, Washington
(state) and the New Mexico Museum of
Natural History and Science, bring their
knowledge to bear in The origin and
early evolution of metatherian mammals:
the Cretaceous record. As the
previously dominant form of mammals
through the distant Cretaceous and into
the Palaeogene, this “history” has a lot
to tell us.
From the first fossil in an Early
Cretaceous Asian rock, the metatherians
appear as abundant, diverse
and obviously adaptable species.
Marsupials, particularly in Australia,
only give us a slight idea of their forms
and functions in an ecosystem.
In those days, Laurasia formed a
northern supercontinent on which
these mammals could flourish, until
the great Mesozoic ended with the
Palaeogene forming the first period of
the Cenozoic, precisely 66 million years
ago. The ending (known as the K-Pg
boundary) is well known to be the end
of the dinosaur era and, unfortunately,
the dominance of the metatherians.
Their relatives, the placental eutheria
seem to have fared better after this
extinction, presumed to have been
caused by an asteroid collision.
The book is not trying to explain
any geological event. It simply gives us
insights into what these animals were,
how they survived, or not, and why
we have a current world of eutherian
diversity. There are so many extinct
mammals groups that the three extant
lineages seem limiting. (The egg-laying
monotremes are the third clade, unrelated
to eutheria or metatheria directly).
The mammal fossils of the Early
Cretaceous give us limited examples of
the beginnings of this story. However,
there were many mammal species
in the middle of the Jurassic period.
These developed fundamental lines of
mammals such as the monotremes,
Mammals as they used to be
More fossils will present unique knowledge of our recent past
but during the Cretaceous, in Asia, we
finally had some therians, about 180
million years ago. The Late Jurassic had
one Chinese eutherian called Juramaia,
helping us to date when the two current
mammal sister-groups split.
Teeth naturally present themselves
as an excellent way of sorting out any
mammals. We have so many of them,
and our molars are the key to the ID of
many fossil relatives. Metatherian teeth
luckily differ from our eutherian versions
quite distinctly.
Our ancestors have only four premolars
for example. Stagodonts like
Didelphodonare the largest toothy
metatherians, found largely in North
America. They were otter-sized creatures
that crushed and ground their
food, possibly molluscs.
Living marsupials’ ancestors have
been traced to early Australian and
South American species, who seem
to have originated at least 46 million
years ago. Now regarded as earliest is
the living monito del monte, Dromiciops
gliroides from Chile and surrounding
nations. It is known as the little bush
monkey!
The number
of marsupial
species is only
now shown up
by numbers
of species of
groups like
the American
opossums. This
is the Andean
white-eared
opossum
Didelphis
pernigra. We
have to go to
Australia to
sample more
of the sheer
diversity
of these
metatherian
marvels.
The radiation of these metatherians
during the Late Cretaceous
leaves the authors bemused by the
potential interrelationships. Many
didn’t survive the K-Pg boundary,
leaving a few teeth and nothing else. It
is enough to say that molecular clock
evidence shows a marsupial/placental
separation 160mya (in the Jurassic.)
although modern marsupials don’t
appear till 64-84 mya, meaning they
appeared during the Palaeocene or at
the end of the Cretaceous. Migration
across Antarctica is suggested for all
the Australian marsupials, with their
origins being in South America.
All of the metatheria have an
added interest in the lack of evidence
about their form and ecology. Perhaps
they followed the placental trends in
evolving creatures that lived in every
available niche. The truth as far as we
know is that placentals later dominated
them and have taken their present
niches as their own. More fossils will
obviously present us with unique
knowledge of just what lived in our
recent past and where and how they
survived. – www.earthtimes.org
green+.2015 , february-march 69

HEALTH
We have mentioned it
before, but it is about
time that diesel vehicles
were all banned
from cities.
The evidence points to a small
brown job - the gas nitrogen dioxide
- as well as several of its transparent
friends. Jonathan Leake of the Times
(the London one) extols the lack of
virtue of the diesel car and the diesel
truck and that diesel bus because of
the health risks in Dirty diesel death toll
hits 60,000.
The British health report on the
subject will appear from the official
advisory COMEAP committee next
month, but this early release obviously
means national and international worries
are growing, as the effects of the
NO2 alone appear to equal smoking as
far as actual deaths are concerned.
Those affected are mainly vulnerable
to lung disease, chronic heart
disease, COPD (chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease) emphysema and
asthma. The NO2 problem was confused
for many years with the problem
of PM2.5 particulates, also created by
diesel vehicles.
It obviously would not be wise to
bring your child up in the inner city
either! One big problem is that in the
Die, Diesel, Die!
Car-free Sundays may be an option
Another one of our green walls. Cities can help absorb some of
the carbon they produce but unfortunately there is nothing we
can do to prevent the great loss of life from diesel pollutions.
small area of the UK, 60% live in urban
areas, mainly the cities of the north, and
of course, the Great Wen (London.)
With these thoughts, small changes
such as the proposed car-free Sundays,
in which London copies the regular
practice in Jakarta, would seem quite
irrelevant. Certainly, it would make
people feel better, as they exercise or
simply breathe for a change.
This does not provide as much
relief as the banning of diesel and
other trucks, which is exactly what
several cities are doing every day. The
background politics of course is the ECJ
(European Court of Justice) ruling that
we all have a basic right to clean air and
significantly that the UK government
needs to pull up its socks on city pollution-
if it can still breathe enough to
bend over.
The UK and one or two other
countries will not be able to reach the
recommended legal limit for nitrogen
dioxide till 2030. Your children will be
growing up with damaged lungs, parents
worldwide!
The number of deaths concerned
is absolutely amazing. How the health
experts could have confused the
effects of particulates with this gas for
so long is also quite a surprise.
While 29,000 people die each year
from particulates, 60,000 deaths pa are
attributable to NOsub>2. The problem
now has to be explained to people in
every city, as diesel traffic is ubiquitous.
– www.earthtimes.org
THE POINT of walking is part exercise
and part getting to places that have no
road/parking (eg. mountains or large
sports events).
The benefits, especially for the
old, are mobility in the legs and heart
exercise. Just getting there, too has
rewards such as the discovery of eagle
owls nesting in the middle of the desert.
The downside can be the weather, the
expensive clothing required for some
pursuits or the company (or lack of it.)
Hobbies such as gardening,
beachcombing, various sports or
bird-watching also get you out there
where the grass is greener and the bogs
are deeper. Why do people gain the
brain-secretion, dopamine, from such
activity? The adrenalin flows too, when
these actions spur us on to even greater
efforts, though the smiles in the bar
afterwards could be simple flatulence.
The aesthetics of a view and the nostalgia
of revisiting the most attractive
places from your past contribute mightily
to tourists, but not all of us tour. More
and more, we settle, at least for a while,
in an area we respect for some reason
and can enjoy this kind of gratification
more often.
Does the natural aspect of aesthetics
form a dominant part of our lives, or
Just what
does this big
eagle owl
have to do
with enjoying
wild places?
Natural human lives
is it the associated memories that we
cling to? Perhaps an accessible rainforest
such as Thailand’s Khao Yai would
provide some camping, some gibbon
(sounds at least) or panoramas to die
for.
Too many questions lie in wait for us
here. The basic fact is that less polluted
air certainly improves more than your
health. After a month or so, poisons can
begin to leave the blood and the other
tissues, producing a genuine wellbeing,
quite apart from the pleasurable feeling
from the beginning. The food intake
can be very different in some regions,
too. More fish or less carbohydrate or
fresher food can be much healthier
than city food.”
And does life in the country make
the individual change life-style, at least
in a temporary way. Holidays are poor
guides, but the same effect of more
exercise, different diet and change of
outlook all contribute to the fresh air
experience.
The sight of a strangler fig tree, a
large animal, the local sacred mountain
or a refreshing waterfall can make
adults and children react in different
ways. Even the child inside the old
person can be brought out. That mask
we use at work or at home can be
removed as we feel at one with some
natural organism, object or panorama.
People can affect us while with
friends or strangers in the wild. Joint
responsibility may be alien to us,
or helping a stranger in trouble (or
not) can release human basic social
responses. “It makes you feel good”,
can describe non-natural environments,
but the actual presence of your
ancestral habitat seems to help.
70 february-march, green+.2015

GOING GREEN
Losing the wildlife in your woods?
Wilding in the form of wolves and bears in North America is widely practiced
In developed countries, population
sometimes occupies so much
of the land that there is precious
little area remaining for a true rural
situation.
While the “recently-colonised” US
has 90% of its area classified as rural,
European countries such as the overcrowded
UK (mainly England) have 679
people in every square mile (262 /km2)
with the Netherlands and Belgium even
more crowded.
The real comparison is with the 84
people per square mile (32.5/km2.) in
the US. Rural protection is the issue in
the UK here, where planning rules are
likely to lower the percentage of rural
England even further!
This means that wilding in the form
of wolves and bears in North America
is widely practiced. The situation in
Western Europe is so different. It is
steadily frowned upon by many, while
the idea of even beavers practicing their
arts near a major UK city is anathema to
those who never leave their privatised
urbanity.
Recent improvements in wildlife
protection have led to an increase in red
kite, osprey and sea eagle for a decade
and more, mainly in the north and west.
But the mammals in the UK suffer badly
from urban sprawl.
Some become urban, such as the fox
and the recently-traumatised badger
population. The hedgehog is declining
fast though, while dormouse and water
vole (predated by invasive mink) may
have reversed a severe decline over 50
years.
Invertebrates resemble either
the three raptors in increasing, often
because of warmer temperatures, or
the suffering mammals when their
habitats are bulldozed or some mysterious
cause results in the loss of the
garden tiger moth or the many invaluable
bee species that we are decimating.
Migrants of all kinds seem to have
some kind of predation increasing at
all stops on their route. Swallows, as in
the US, have virtually disappeared in
places over the last two years, while
farmland birds are declining, presumably
due to pesticides or similar
influences. Even widespread starlings
and blue tits are disappearing. The
cause would be linked to their diet,
according to ornithologists who study
them.
The US has its own swallow problem,
although the cause could be the
same. Disappearing monarchs are
a particular problem. The butterfly is
famous for its Mexican hibernation.
Americans fond of visiting this site
The European
badger is
familiar to all
UK citizens, but
recently, it has
been blamed
for a careless
spread of cattle
TB. Hunting
badgers is
unacceptable
to many,
but the rural
community
have ideas
including
vaccination,
as well as
the gassing
or shooting.
Which is best?
may find they are returning alone, as
the insect drops in numbers every
year.
With so much wilderness remaining,
the American Plains as well as the
mountains are more likely to lose any
species with special local requirements
for swamp or local food-plant.
Hunting is the key issue in the US,
as few people in Britain carry any
guns. The hunting and fishing groups
maintain their position as protectors of
wildlife by culling deer (elk), but overemphasise
their role in predator control.
The amazing relationships between
two wolf species and the coyote are
described in this interesting paper.
Where deer species overpopulate
areas, tree cover usually suffers and
even riverine habitats become unusable
for important species, as has been
found in California’s Yellowstone.
The most important issue is to control
people who may like to bring home the
bacon, but fail to appreciate the role of
minor players in the natural ecosystem.
For a holiday season, the important
points are in enthusing younger people
in the wild, its sport, its pacific moods
and all else that it offers and reminding
the more aged of responsibilities for the
life that exists outside your triple glazing!
– www.earthtimes.org
green+.2015 , february-march 71

ENERGY
No to coals and its emissions
Europe have raised their renewable proportion of energy consumption
DESPITE China’s remarkable
cut-back, the Australian
and US exports of coal are
creating a growth of fossil
fuel use in the world instead
of the required decline.
There are also sceptics or deniers
or whatever you want to call them out
there who are dedicated to their own
opinions on climate change. The combination
of congenital idiots and cheap
availability of fossils would be enough,
but governments are still subsidising
the use of the fuels they are committed
to phasing out.
We’ve all heard of the tail wagging
the dog. This situation has coal determining
the future of our atmosphere
instead of the knowledge we have of its
consequences. The frightening figures
appear after the dismal pace of Lima’s
COP20 and probably the last chance
salon, Paris 2015.
We deserve them in reality because
we are incapable of governing the earth
in any sane way. Instead of dropping
emissions to zero by 2050, the 9 billion
tonnes we are predicted to use in 2019
will show a 25% rise from 2010.
Maria van der Hoeven is the
Executive Director of the IEA. She
has recently berated the European
President on his poor “energetics”. Her
take on this terrible development in coal
is to seek more mitigation in the form
of CCS.
“Although the contribution that coal
makes to energy security and access to
energy is undeniable, I must emphasise
once again that coal use in its current
form is simply unsustainable. For this
to change, we need to radically accelerate
deployment of carbon capture
and sequestration (CCS),” said van der
Hoeven.
“Unfortunately, as we have often
noted, nobody has got this technology
to work in reality. Full scale capture at
every coal powered plant is so far as
impossible as the complete takeover
of electricity generation by renewable
energy.”
Even though places such as Europe
have raised their renewable proportion
of energy consumption to 14.1% in 2012
(a possible doubling over a decade),
gas, oil coal and even wood-burning
are negating any effect. China has
achieved even more from the contribution
of renewable energies (22.3%
in 2013) and is helping other emerging
economies to mirror her efforts.
People will find it hard to understand
the position of China in the coal
industry, where it will have 60% of the
increase in coal burning by 2019, India
(using cheap Australian coal) and SE
Asia are following that pattern instead
The lignite
tends to lie on
the surface,
because it
has not been
converted
by pressure
into the black
coals such as
anthracite.
Easily “mined,”
as here in Mae
Moh in SE Asia,
and in Poland, it
is a real threat
to our future
climate.
of the globally-agreed cut-back!
IEA have estimated coal demand is
growing at 2.1% every year over the
foreseeable future. This is less than
previous years, but nowhere near any
agreed limitations.
We all know that money rules, but
those exporting this coal are hardly
helping their own nationals by ensuring
the fossils are burnt elsewhere.
Coal has to be banned, so why are
we waiting to stop 70% of all power
plant carbon emissions? Emissions
performance standards may be established
but that is not helpful if we are
getting rid of the black stuff (and its
even dirtier cousin, the brown lignite,
from, for example, the Polish opencast
mines.)
Back in Europe we have the subsidies
for renewable technologies. But
the crazy situation is that many countries
are still subsidising fossil fuels,
to the incredible amount of $80 billion
over 10 of the major nations there.
Apparently, it is not only in Lima
that our politicians are failing. They
have not even worked out their policy
to support either fossils or renewables.
No wonder the banks that produce the
finance are worried. Nobody knows
what is going to follow the Lima Call
except you and I, OFC ! – www.earthtimes.org
green+.2015 , february-march 73

CONSERVATION
Can we afford
extinction, or
conservation?
Problem revolves around the perennial shortage
of funds for conservation
Using New Zealand as a case
study is possibly a mistake
for this paper in the journal,
Biological Conservation.
Joseph R. Bennett
from CEED (the Centre of Excellence
for Environmental Decisions), in the
University of Queensland and colleagues
from the University of Pennsylvania,
Imperial College London, the Wildlife
Conservation Society (US) and New
Zealand are trying to budget the process
of maintaining threatened species by
modelling priorities. The trouble is, this
type of approach reeks of governmental
interference, even if that Hydra has yet to
rear its ugly head.
The problem revolves around the
perennial shortage of funds for conservation.
Depending partly on government
funding, as well as private conservation
charities, sacrifices have to be made with
choices sometimes between maximising
a species numbers or conserving genetic
diversity.
People who choose these priorities at
the moment possibly need some training
in this area, but they have the hand on the
pulse of local issues, so it is impossible to
generalise about all conservation.
Protocol, whatever that is, is now causing
distinctive evolutionary situations to
be prioritised. Of the 700 most threatened
in New Zealand, there are trade-offs
with costs, and the risk of failure in some
instances. Nobody wants waste, but
attempts to save an individual or two from
Of all the mammals on earth, none are as
distinctive as the platypus. But should it
receive more conservation effort than,
say, a small insect that is useful in
pollinating many crops or any
one of the big cats, which have
close relatives, but could
become extinct if
population
trends
continue.
a virtually extinct species could end up as
a total loss.
The idea is to vary the emphases on
distinctiveness and give some priority to
species numbers and the conservation
of enough diversity. Conservation agencies
have their own ideas, of course, with
species numbers one of their major aims.
Species groups that achieve an effective
balance between diversity of species and
their numbers get the priority in this study.
Dr Bennett notes that there are few relatives
left for the very distinctive species
such as the monotremes. In his tree of life,
they stick out as a small twig near the base
of the trunk! The genome of the platypus
or the echidnas contain unique alleles that
probably include useful information for all
mammal genetics, including our own.
The hundreds of millions of years
involved in this animal’s evolution can
hardly be matched by other species that
may become extinct because of lack of
protection. We do lose many unnoticed
species every day. In the endless onslaught
on forests and oceans, distant mountains
and other wild places.
So the more unique your genes, the
more likely you are to have millions
spent on your conservation. A computer
model simply expresses these ideas of
cost, uniqueness and maintenance of
maximum diversity. It is likely that such
programmes can be quickly developed
with various biases. Then we would be left
with the same decisions to make. – www.
earthtimes.org
Mothers and daughters, we say below. This
pic was actually taken in Costa Rica where
the waters are a lot warmer than those you
would find in the New York Bight. But jump in
if you like, although we suspect the camera is
more waterproof than you are.
Humpbacks come back
PAUL SIERSWERDA began Gotham Whale
as a Citizen Science venture eight years ago.
The organisation tracks seals, dolphins and
whales off the New York coast.
Amazingly, he now heads an organisation
which is recognising individual humpbacks
as they return, literally in force, to the waters
where once they were hunted to extinction.
Luckily, of the 1400 whales worldwide that
survived the slaughter, a few now enjoy
peace and appreciate the cleaner waters of
the mighty Hudson River.
This interesting city preoccupation
involves cruises aboard “The American
Princess”. Anybody can now see the 56 foot
(17m) “Gotham City monster” that is the
humpback whale, as the annual sightings
between the Rockaway peninsula and New
Jersey have gone up in the last three years
from 15 to 33, and now 87!
There are only 19 individuals in that
humpback count, but add on all the other
whales and dolphins and you have a new site
to add to the world-famous whale-watcher
“faves”. As we are fond of quoting Megaptera
novaeangliae and its songs, bubble-nets and
social life in the encyclopaedia and elsewhere,
this increase in the western Atlantic
population is very welcome.
Add the ongoing fluke ID program that
Paul and his colleagues have instituted, and
you have mothers and daughters, fathers
and sons to spot as you enjoy the admittedly
rough weather.
All of this began with grey and
harbor seal watching on man-made
Swinburne Island (near Staten Island),
using Kingsborough Community College’s
Maritime Center. As that population was
growing, Paul progressed onto weekly
counts when he became Naturalist on board
the American Princess.
Then the other marine mammals
began increasing their populations, while
the patrons of the commercial operation
became well-used citizen scientists. The
photography alone has produced a unique
database of the 19 humpbacks and many
more species too.
green+.2015 , february-march 75

CLIMATE
UK or Republican deniers are worst?
Politicians in particular have latched onto armchair speculators
THERE is little to choose
between carbon dioxide and
methane emissions or several
other causes for the
climate change we so obviously
suffer on this planet. The storms,
floods, droughts and sea-level rise
all point to a terrible change in atmospheric
and oceanic conditions.
Those who believe science is wrong
about possible causes still exist.
Forgetting that scientists have very different
views on exact causes, politicians
in particular have latched onto armchair
speculators who claim their individual
thoughts might have some bearing on
the exact situation.
Yes, it is almost 2015, so before we
wish the Old Year out, here is a right
rant about global warming and certain
politicians who should forever remain
nameless
The tea-partying Republicans in
the US and many Indian and Chinese
politicos who have interests in the
energy industry are now joined by
several European parties. Apart from
the obvious Polish links with coal,
many Western European nations have
avoided the fossils, and even nuclear
power generation after the Japanese
tsunami.
Only the French nuclear investment
remains, along with one proposed
power station in England, to be built
to an old Chinese design. The latest
“deniers” are the non-party of British
politics, the UK Independence Party.
Incredibly successful against
an inadequate but stable coalition
government, these vote-catchers are
appealing to “fossil man and woman”
with the numerous links to coal, oil and
gas in Britain’s ex-industries. Their
industry and energy spokesman, Roger
Helmer is now relating how climate
alarmism is grossly exaggerating temperature
rises, presumably dismissing
the really alarming figures for 2014.
The UKIP follow the idea that we
have had 18 years without global warming
(check the ocean temperatures, if
you want to believe them).
Roger Helmer is an MEP, which is
odd, as the UKIP want to exit Europe and
drift to a position in the mid-Atlantic.
There is only one figure the UK public
recognise in the UKIP, after several
dismissals for unfortunate conduct. This
new one may finally take his place at the
top table as champion of the frackers.
The PM, David Cameron already
has this area as his own, however, so
another angle will have to be found.
Elections loom next year so we can
expect even more crazies emerging
from the woodwork.
The danger in these ultra-conservative
judges of our climate change is that
they conveniently ignore, “the opposite
alternative theories” to official bodies
such as the IPCC. What if the emissions
cause even greater change than those
estimated by models?
The chances of a 4oC rise are very
high, and much greater rises could
easily happen if the politicians can’t
agree on control. Smaller rises in CO2
and lower temperature rises are always
being discussed ass if we have not
passed the likelihood of a 2oC level long
ago.
Our sympathies must be with
the storm-ridden Filipinos, the New
York citizens who were flooded and
more, the drought and wildfire effects
on farms and homes and wildlife on
No snows, early snows (and
floods) on this particular
city and numerous storms
and freak events are
finally being explained as
meteorologists struggle to
interpret global warming
effects. With scientific
analysis, at least we no
longer have to blame it on
unknown causes.
every continent and the campaigning
Oceania citizens with their dwindling
island areas, as the sea creeps up on
them.
These people accept that CO2 emissions
are the most likely factor that we
can do something about. Those who
deny that are sitting in comfort, trying
to express their inexpert opinions for
the rest of us.
Join the campaign to eliminate
nonsense from the climate change argument,
especially if you have upcoming
elections. And vote for the far-right
Republicans or UKIP, if you prefer your
government to be amateur!
green+.2015 , february-march 77

CLIMATE
Methane danger in
undersea permafrost
Enormous amounts of gas will be released
Methane is well-known
as a greenhouse gas.
What we have missed
in models of greenhouse
warming is the vast
disparity between the heavy carbon
dioxide and the sheer lightness and solubility
of methane. Being aware of the
presence of this simple gas in swamps
and even cattle, we should have worked
out that any trapped gas could become
a problem when it was released.
The scene in Arctic waters like the
Kara and the Pechora Seas is ripe for a
massive release of methane. If warming
from two sources continues to
melt undersea permafrost and release
enormous amounts of the gas, they will
smell it from Moscow to Washington.
lexey Portnov, Jurgen Mienert
and Pavel Serov of the Arctic
University of Norway in Tromsø and
VNIIOkeangeologia in Saint Petersburg
have published a worrying paper in
the Journal of Geophysical Research:
Biogeosciences, in which they have
been, “Modeling the evolution of
climate-sensitive Arctic subsea permafrost
in regions of extensive gas
expulsion at the West Yamal shelf”.
In it, they ponder the two problems
of vulcanism beneath the sea and
warming ocean above the permafrost.
Intermittently, both have melted the
permafrost and released the dreaded
methane.
The Russian portion of the Arctic
shelves that stretch from Eurasia deep
into the cold waters contain degrading
subsea permafrost, swallowed up when
sea levels rose 20,000 years ago in the
Late Pleistocene. Minor changes in the
temperature, such as subtle geothermal
heat flow from beneath, seem to affect
the methane production.
The permafrost has a thickness of
275-390m near the shore which leaves
us with incredible amounts of methane
when you consider how much dissolves
in one cubic metre of water. That figure
is 164 cubic metres!
Dr Portnov has explained that while
permafrost on land exists down to
around 700m, the ocean can actually
maintain permafrost even though the
bottom temperature rises above zero.
Because the land was submerged
Like the two thirds of an iceberg that remains below water, the massive amounts of
methane stored under the Arctic can only be estimated with models. Here, after sinkholes
appearing on land in Siberia, enormous amounts of permafrost methane have been
estimated BELOW the sea in the Russian Arctic.
20,000 years ago, the permafrost
remains trapped at depths from 100m
to very shallow waters.
The gas plumes can be seen at
20-50m depths, indicating how fragile
the permafrost situation is. His models
show that 9000 years would be needed
to melt the permafrost if the bottom
temperature is 0.5 o C. We have determined
quite definitely that the oceanic
temperatures will now rise by two
degrees, whatever the mitigation we
can manage.
Such a rise would, mathematically,
lead to explosive gas releases from shallow
seas like the Kara.
Recently giant sinkholes have been
appearing on the Kara Peninsula, in part
leading to this research. The exact cause
has been worked out. Gas hydrates
formed from methane remain stable in
permafrost, but release great amounts
of methane when warmed. The volume
of the giant holes is the result of that
destabilisation, with the volatile and
light methane gas released into the
atmosphere.
Welcome to the reality of global
warming and the new added ingredient
it causes even more global warming.
Way back in 2011, Martin Leggett warned
of the Arctic danger that lies in methane.
It is 20X more effective as a greenhouse
gas than the dreaded carbon dioxide.
Now figure where the biggest danger
lies. – www.earthtimes.org
green+.2015 , february-march 79

Events 2015
Palm and Lauric Oils Price Outlook Conference
& Exhibition (POC) 2015 Malaysia 2-4 March
2015 @ Shangri-La Hotel.
The renowned Palm and Lauric Oils Price
Outlook Conference & Exhibition (POC) is held
annually in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, attracting
participation of international players from the
oils and fats industry from over 50 countries.
POC celebrated its Silver Jubilee just recently in
2014, marking 25 years of strong presence and
industry following, in leading discussions on
the future price trend of the edible oil globally.
Water Malaysia 2015 International Exhibition
and Conference 22-24 April 2015 @ Kuala
Lumpur Convention Centre, KL.
Water Malaysia (WM) 2015 International
Exhibition & Conference is the biennial event
that encompasses all across the entire water
cycle. Water resource management, irrigation
and drainage management, water supply,
wastewater management, non-revenue
water (NRW) management, and rainwater
harvesting technologies are some of the areas
covered in the event. Water Loss Asia (WLA)
2015 will be held concurrently. To address the
severe water stress faced by the world, WM
2015 will also be promoting sustainability with
the inclusion of Environment Asia 2015 as the
concurrent event.
International Conference on Environmental
Forensics 2015 19-20 August 2015 @
University Putra Malaysia, Serdang.
The International Conference on
Environmental Forensics 2015 (iEN-
FORCE2015) would like to invite you to our
International Conference in August 2015 to be
held in Putrajaya, Malaysia. This conference
provides an internationally leading forum for
interaction between scientists, consultants
and public servants engaged in the multidisciplinary
areas of environmental forensics.
Ecobuild Southeast Asia and International
Construction Week 9-11 September 2015 @
Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), KL.
Ecobuild is a global sustainable construction
event that connects industry professionals
in order to help them network, learn and discover
new products and innovative solutions.
Green Events Listing in Asia for 2015
Organic Green Food Industry Expo 2015- 18th
Shibowei China (Beijing) 16-18 April @ China
International Exhibition Centre, Beijing China.
China International Organic Green Food Expo
is also the largest organic food industry Expo
in Asia, which had been successfully held
for 17 times(the first half year in Beijing, the
second half year in Shanghai). Besides that,
Shibowei Organic Expo is the only one Chinese
Organic Expo got allowance by Chinese
Commerce Ministry.
Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia 2015 2-4 September
2015 @ Marina Bay Sands Convention,
Singapore, Singapore.
Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia 2015 is the global
business sourcing, networking and knowledge-sharing
platform for the sustainable
built environment in Southeast Asia. The
event draws together international brands
of green building technologies and advancements,
to the heart of the region’s community
of architects, building owners, contractors,
consultants, developers, facility managers
and energy managers, for business opportunities
and experiential engagement.
Aquatech India 11-13 August 2015 @ Pragati
Maidan, New Delhi, India.
Aquatech India displayes the latest products
and innovations in process, drinking and waste
water and is a one-of its-kind, international,
high quality water technology event serving
the complete Indian water sector. The exhibition
features the best possible range of new
and proven products on process, drinking and
waste water.
Renewable Energy Asia 2015 June 10-13 2015
@ Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition
Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.
The show highlights Renewable Energy
sources and the latest technology in this
area. Wind & Solar Power are among the
many systems & programs featured along
with Thermal and Waste-to-energy, Hydopowered
programs, Bio-mass and other green
technology also covered. Renewable Energy
& Energy Efficiency Clinics staffed by experts
are conducted at the show.
Green Building & Retrofits Expo Asia 2015
16-18 Sept 2015 @ IMPACT Exhibtion Centre,
Hall 6, Bangkok, Thailand.
Green Building & Retrofits Expo Asia 2015 is
the 5th international Exhibition & Conference
on Green Building & Retrofits held in Thailand
for the Asia Market. There will be showing
case of new technology of products, services
and solution for green building and retrofits.
Green Events Listing Internationally for 2015
3rd International Symposium on Green
Chemistry 3-7 May 2015 @ La Rochelle,
France.
ISGC-2015 will cover nine general topics
related to 1. biomass conversion, 2. clean
hydrogen production, 3. alternative solvents,
4. waste, 5. polymers and materials, 6. atomeconomy
synthesis, 7. eco-technology, 8.
predictive methods and 9. environmental
and ethical assessments. Each topic will be
introduced by a plenary lecture delivered by
an eminent scientist of the field.
80 february-march, green+.2015

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