Iskandar to up energy efficiency

JOHOR BARU: ISKANDAR Malaysia has been invited as one of the partnering cities or regions for the Global Energy Efficiency Accelerator Platform (GEEAP), a flagship programme for the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) initiative, led by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group president Dr Jim Yong Kim. The announcement was made in conjunction with the recent UN Climate Summit 2014 held in New York, the United States of America, that was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who are co-chairmen of the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda). Iskandar Malaysia is a partner of GEEAP at a cross-sectorial level along with other international cities, including Vancouver, Paris, Copenhagen, London and Toyama, Japan. GEEAP is a pilot programme that was established to double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. ““This significant distinction speaks volumes for our efforts and commitment towards driving the green agenda through the Low Carbon Society Blueprint and Smart City Framework in Iskandar Malaysia. “This achievement underscores our support and commitment towards Malaysia’s effort to reduce the carbon emissions intensity of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 40 per cent by 2020. “In this regard, Najib said Malaysia was on track to achieving its target in his speech at the Climate Summit 2014,”” said Khaled. Iskandar Malaysia was selected through its Low Carbon Society Blueprint for Iskandar Malaysia (LCSBPIM), which includes key actions that are supported by GEEAP. Irda chief executive Datuk Ismail Ibrahim said with this initiative, Iskandar Malaysia targets 11 per cent of its requirement for energy from renewable energy and 20 per cent of the energy consumption to be reduced by 2025.” Ismail said greater energy efficiency provided economic benefits, improvements on the people’’s comfort and well-being and advancement towards achieving global climate goals in the form of emission reductions. The LCSBPIM has received global new coverage stating that Iskandar Malaysia’s commitment towards reducing its GHG emission intensity by 50 per cent by 2025 (based on 2005 levels). ““Through the LCSBPIM and Sustainable City Framework, the people can look forward to a better quality of life equating to a healthier lifestyle, more open and green areas for exercise, outdoor gatherings, cleaner rivers and energy-efficient buildings, as we move closer towards the vision of developing Iskandar Malaysia into a sustainable metropolis by 2025,”” said Ismail. Iskandar Malaysia’’s green agenda is supported by local and international agencies, such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan Science and Technology Agency, UN Development Programme and UN Industrial Development Organisation.   SEforALL Note: This story was originally published by the New Straits Times and can be found here