Climate Governance Malaysia (CGM) and CEO Action Network (CAN)

As a signatory to the Paris Accord, Malaysia has committed to a national GHG emissions intensity reduction target of 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels. The 3rd National Physical Plan (NPP-3) targets a 50% reduction in national emissions intensity by 2040 and this is reflected in plans for sustainable infrastructure and the development of low carbon cities. 90% of Malaysia’s population is estimated to be living in cities by 2050. The property and construction sector contributes approximately 40% of Malaysia’s carbon footprint encompassing emissions throughout its lifecycle. Further, two-thirds of the building area that exists today will still exist in 2050 necessitating upgrades and retrofitting to lower their carbon impact.

To chart a course towards sustainable development in the real estate sector, GreenRE collaborated with Climate Governance Malaysia and the CEO Action Network to organize a series of roundtables with the aim of engaging various stakeholders to provide measurable and actionable policy recommendations for the Malaysian government. Four (4) topical roundtables were held as follows:

• Roundtable #1 – Reducing Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment held on the 12th of July 2021. (moderated by Gregers Reiman, IEN and GreenRE)
• Roundtable #2 – Reducing Operational Carbon in the Built Environment held on the 16th of July 2021. (moderated by Serina Hijjas, malaysiaGBC)
• Roundtable #3 – Improving Resilience and Minimizing Ecological Damage held on the 19th of July 2021. (moderated by Dr. Dzaeman Dzulkifli, TRCRC)
• Conversation with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) held on the 27th of July 2021. (moderated by Dato Seri Johan Raslan, CAN)

These roundtables highlighted the need for a clear, long-term national roadmap towards lowering GHG emissions – 2050 and beyond. In tandem - enhanced regulations, improved governance and targeted incentives were the top three (3) recommendations to rapidly drive the private sector towards lowering their GHG emissions. The policy proposals are summarized as follows:

Moving forward, GreenRE will continue to engage with all levels of government to drive sustainable property development effectively. This is imperative to achieve the net zero carbon commitment by 2050 and support the carbon trading scheme proposed in the 12th Malaysia Plan.