MALAYSIA IS COMMITTED to fulfilling its global climate goals. This includes making our cities and human settlements more carbon neutral by transitioning to renewables. At the same time, consistent with Malaysia’s campaign for a just transition, policies and local-level energy transition efforts need to be inclusive, making sure that no one and no place is left behind.

As we all know, cities are the biggest consumers of energy. 73% of the world’s energy consumption happen in cities. The network of towns and communities that are part of our urban reality channel natural resources to feed the insatiable hunger of our city-regions. It is therefore not surprising that some 70% of the world’s carbon emissions are produced by cities.

However, urbanisation is irreversible. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, rural-urban migration continued to increase unabated. This is because cities are responsible for 80% of the world’s GDP, and it is where jobs are abundant. More importantly, over 63% of all the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) have an urban dimension.

“This is why we need to flip the script on urbanisation,” says Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Malaysia’s Advisor on Sustainable Urbanisation and former Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Currently the Mayor of KL, Maimunah has made it her lifelong pursuit to advocate for plan-led development as the best way to make urbanisation sustainable.

“SDGs as well as our climate goals cannot be achieved if we do not get our cities right,” she warns. “It is projected that cities will generate close to 4 billion tonnes of waste. However, with plan-led development, the harms of urban growth can be mitigated with better use of energy. We can flip the script on urbanisation by making our cities the solution to climate emergency.”

The Case of KL

By 2030, KL aims to reduce its emission intensity by 70%, which represents a 48,206ktCO2eq (kilo tonne carbon dioxide equivalent) reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This aim is consistent with the city’s long-term commitment to reducing its carbon footprint while creating a more sustainable urban environment.

In 2023, KL’s energy sector accounts for around 77%, or over 14.57 million tonnes, of the city’s GHG emissions. Through the implementation of the KL Energy Management Plan 2050, the city is reducing its carbon footprint through energy-efficient construction and building retrofits.

Furthermore, DBKL developed the KL Low Carbon Building Checklist Calculator together with a Technical Guide to reduce carbon emissions from new building developments at all stages’ approval. Working with real-estate developers and the construction sector, DBKL introduced a policy requiring real estate developers to utilise at least 30% renewable energy in their projects.

The KL Energy Management Plan also encourages key innovations in renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency and, through a feasibility study on implementing district cooling systems, the city hopes to transition the energy landscape in KL. The feasibility study of installing a District Cooling System (DCS) is now being implemented in DBKL Tower 1 and Tower 2. DBKL is also working to enhance energy performance through the installation of Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic systems. These energy-saving measures will be scaled up across 27 DBKL-owned buildings.

“The KL Energy Management Plan is a roadmap for transformative change, ensuring that these buildings are future-fit. I believe that the steps we are taking now will inspire other building-owners to embark upon the journey towards greater energy efficiency. 27 buildings under our custodianship is hardly a ripple in a city like KL, but if we can get 1,000 buildings to follow suit, I am sure we will be a game-changer in Malaysia and the wider region,” Maimunah adds.

Investments In Innovations

In KL, the city council recognises that inclusive planning means incorporating diverse perspectives into the planning process. The KL Climate Action Plan 2050 and the Low Carbon Society Blueprint 2030 provide guidance to ensure that strategies are rooted in equity and sustainability.

By integrating innovative technologies and environmentally sustainable practices, DBKL aims to reduce the City Hall’s carbon footprint by up to 180,000 tonnes of CO² emissions over the span of 25 years. The ultimate goal of this plan is to enhance climate resilience by accelerating the implementation of energy transition plans.

GoKL’s free electric bus service has deployed 78 electric vehicles, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions from public transport by up to 40%. In 2023, this has already resulted in a 59% reduction in carbon emissions per bus, which is an important environmental success. This effort provides citizens with sustainable, low-carbon mobility options, and supports the city to meet its environmental goals. By 2030, the transition to electric buses and better transport solutions is expected to reduce KL’s transport sector emissions by 25%. Moreover, 1,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are planned around the city to promote EV adoption.

Financing Energy Transition

To achieve Malaysia’s energy transition objectives, it is estimated that we need to invest about USD1tril over the next decade. KL, the capital city and the country’s largest urban agglomeration, will need to raise a significant amount of the funds required. This is particularly challenging as cities have to also invest in climate adaptation works. In KL, this means investing in green infrastructure to combat climate challenges, expanding flood retention ponds by 25%, installing 30 new water pumps in flood-prone areas, and planting 50,000 trees annually.

Getting local communities involved in the climate resilience initiative is vital. The KL: Towards Zero Waste Initiative established 20 community composting hubs, and expanded recycling services to 70% of neighbourhoods. DBKL has successfully diverted over 50,000 tonnes of waste from landfills annually, reducing municipal solid waste by 15%.

As Mayor Maimunah proclaims, “I believe in the 4Ps—Public, Private, People and Partnership. Thus, I am looking to collaborate  to achieve our common objectives, and promote the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11 to make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. I also hope to strengthen cooperation in the fields of urban regeneration, climate adaptation and cultural exchange programmes to  improve our cities’ vitality and resilience, while also contributing significantly to the global urban agenda.”