WITH the advent of the green revolution worldwide, the focus internally in Malaysia has shifted to creating an economy that is cohesive to the principles of sustainability.

Green technology has been identifiedas one of the new sourcesof economic growth for Malaysia and is an integral component ofthe government’s national agenda. The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water is continuing its strides in creating a holistic approach in advocating green technology in the country.

Going green will encompass many aspects including sustainability, viability and waste reduction in the fields of energy, green buildings, green design, green purchasing, green chemistry and green nanotechnology. In the case of green technology, emphasis will be placed on energy-efficient homes, hybrid cars and solar power showcasing the power of technology to transform the way things are done, using innovation to create a sustainable future.

Green technology demonstrates that there are better, cleaner and more efficient methods and devices. For example solar power and wind energy are a thousand times less risky and less harmful on ecological resources.

At the recent climate change conference in Copenhagen, Malaysia agreed to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 40 per cent by 2020 below 2005 levels, dependent on technology transfer and sufficient financing from developed countries.

Fart ox malaysia s extorts in going green include the development of hybrid cars by Proton, one of the national carmakers, the development of the corridor of renewable energy in Sarawak (page 13), the introduction of photovoltaic cells in homes and the development of green cities.

In ensuring sustainable development and conserving the environment for future generations, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya were declared as Malaysia’s pioneer townships to be developed on green principles.

Up to 40 per cent of Putrajaya, the country’s administrative capital will be left as green lungs and carbon sinks, with parks, urban forests and open spaces dotting the landscape. This would include contained neighbourhoods that connect through sidewalks and bicycle paths to reduce the need to drive, with these paths linking public facilities, amenities and commercial centres.

The majority of the development in Putrajaya will also be concentrated along major roads and railway stations or transportation terminals. The city also has two examples of some of the best green buildings in the country: the Energy Commission’s Diamond building and Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water’s LEO (low energy office).

Similarly, Cyberview Sdn Bhd, the landowner of Cyberjaya that spearheads the entire development of Cyberjaya is taking a new approach in promoting green technology. Information on Green Technology, also known as iGHEET, is a programme that sees Cyberview holding a series of monthly seminars supporting the government’s initiative in going green.

The development that is being undertaken in Cyberjaya is set to bring about a new way of how changes are developed and managed and this is a call for its stakeholders, developers, companies and residents to go green. A good example is an integrated power monitoring solution that will save up to RM2.5 million in taxpayers’ money on utility bills. The work for this power monitoring solution has already begun in Mumbai and is expected to be implemented in Cyberjaya soon.

Other efforts in going green nationwide include intensifying human capital development through training and education programmes, as well as providing financial packages and incentives for students embarking on green technology-related subjects.

Accordingly, incentives would also be offered for products undergoing research and innovation with the ultimate aim of commercialisation. The government is also going all out in promoting and creating public awareness of the sector across the country, with the government leading by example by adopting green technology in government facilities and promotion, education and information dissemination to create buy-in of the public to support the green economy and adopt green practices.