Through the commitment outlined in the Low Carbon Action Plan, the City Council of Shah Alam (MBSA) has expanded the existing carbon measurement area to several potential new areas such as Section 1 and Section 5. This makes Shah Alam the only authority with three entries using the city-based approach. Selection of areas involved in this carbon measurement project was made to achieve MBSA’s goals to make Shah Alam a Low Carbon City by 2030.
LCC 2030 Challenge – 2020 Assessment[1]
Zone | Baseline | Audit | Reduction | Reduction |
Pusat Bandar Seksyen 14, Shah Alam | 60,474.94 | 49,162.78 | 11,312.15 | 18.71 |
Seksyen 1, UiTM Shah Alam | 73,987.06 | 45,303.59 | 28,748.01 | 38.86 |
Seksyen 5, Shah Alam | 11,408.36 | 10,335.04 | 1,110.40 | 9.70 |
Total | 145,870.36 | 104,801.41 | 41,170.56 | 28.22 |
For LCC 2030 Challenge assessment period of 2020, MBSA was able to achieve total carbon emissions savings of 41,170.56 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to an impressive reduction of 28.22% from the baseline.
MBSA’s Objectives for LCC 2030 Challenge[2]
The following are the five objectives that MBSA have set for themselves:
- Reduce solid waste
- Reduce overall carbon emissions
- Increase adoption of green lifestyle
- Increase building energy efficiency
- Increase implementation and usage of green technology
MBSA’s Vision & Commitments
MBSA aspires to be Asia’s Best Low Carbon City and Malaysia’s best model in Low Carbon City Initiatives by 2030.
In order to achieve this aspiration, MBSA is committed to implement the LCCF programme that is anchored on 4 GHG Reduction elements. MBSA aimed to reduce GHG emissions by a 3% minimum yearly target from 2015 to 2019. MBSA’s final mission is to fulfil the National Carbon Reduction target of 45% by 2030.[3]
MBSA’s 2016-2030 Strategic Action Plan[4]
There are five strategic cores that have been pinpointed in the action plan towards making Shah Alam a low carbon city:
- Provide efficient transportation service and mobility
- Solid waste management system that is environmentally friendly
- Integrating nature in the built environment
- Efficient and effective energy and water resource management
- City administration and management based on green technology
MBSA’s Carbon Assessment Performance (2016-2019)[5]
MBSA has been making steady improvements year-on-year since they started their journey with the LCC 2030 Challenge in 2015. In 2016 they received a one (1) Diamond recognition for a carbon reduction of 4.22%, Subsequently in 2017 & 2018, they received a two (2) Diamond recognition for a reduction in carbon of 11.03% & 11.79% respectively year-on-year. During the 2019 assessment, MBSA improved further and was awarded three (3) Diamonds for reducing their carbon emissions by a further 4.22%.
On the energy front, MBSA has steady increased its voluntary participation in the Low Carbon Building Assessment to 100% in 2017, with 29 of 29 government buildings, commercial buildings and public facilities participating; up from 86.2% in 2016 and 41.4% in 2015.[6]
MBSA Building Audit for Energy Efficiency[7]
In 2016, the Benchmarked Energy Index (BEI) registered 231 kWh/m2/year equivalent to a total energy use of 14,827,639kWh. With the Building Audit, MBSA estimated that in 2020 there was a 41.13% reduction in the BEI, equivalent to energy savings of 6,097,947kWh.
MBSA Public Fund Initiative (PFI) for Replacing HPSV Streetlights to LED in Shah Alam[8]
With the costs of electricity, maintenance and repair of streetlights amounting to RM70,779,373 in 2016, the switch to LEDs is expected to bring carbon emission savings of 42% to MBSA over the next 15 years. These carbon emission savings are broken down into the following:
- Total Streetlights = 40,380 units
- Conventional Yearly Carbon Emissions = 21,110 tCO2
- LED Yearly Carbon Emissions = 10,751 tCO2
- Yearly Carbon Emissions Savings = 10,359 tCO2
These 15 years of carbon emission savings equates to 155,388 tCO2 or equivalent to planting 6.2 million trees.
MBSA’s Green Initiative Programmes
Mobility[9]
1.Shah Alam Community Bus
Community Bus is owned by MBSA, providing free transportation services to Shah Alam residents. The target groups are the low-income earners, senior citizens, students, industrial workers and government employees.
2. Shah Alam Car-Free Day
Implemented on the second Sunday of each month, the objective is to encourage residents of Shah Alam to adopt a healthy lifestyle and reduce the use of private vehicles. People are only allowed to walk or use the bicycles, skate boards, hover boards, electric scooters and roller blades around the city centre.
3. Bicycle/Jogging Track
The first phase of the Shah Alam bicycle/jogging track is 2km long and 10 feet wide with premix finishing. It is located in a green area of Section 4, on the edge of a residential area.
4. MBSA Smart Selangor Bus
The Selangor Smart Bus infrastructure is owned by Selangor Malaysia Berhad, hired by the Selangor government. It provides free services to residents of Shah Alam.
5. Electric Vehicle Charger Installation (EV Charge)
Used for free by all owners of electric vehicles. MBSA has purchased two electric vehicles for official use. EV Chargers have been installed at 10 locations around Shah Alam.
Integrating Nature with Built Environment[10]
1. Initiatives to Greening the Alley Behind a Residential Area
The programme is a collaboration between MBSA and the local community to transform the back alleys into clean, green, safe and fun areas for social interaction. Partners consist of corporate bodies, religious institutions, educational institutions, local residents and volunteers.
2. Community Orchard
The Community Orchard Programme aims to allow the local community of Shah Alam to interact, collaborate and optimise idle and uneconomic spaces.
Green Solid Waste Management System[11]
1. Garden Waste Composting
An estimated 30 tonnes of garbage produced each day in Shah Alam are from park and garden waste. Composting garden waste helps to reduce the cost of waste management, reduce the purchase of fertilizers and provides environmentally friendly soil mixtures.
2. Recycling Used Cooking Oil
Cooking oil has been a major contributor to water pollution in public drains. In order to control this, the council has implemented a recycling programme on how to manage used cooking oil.
Awards & Accolades[12]
- WISMA MBSA GREENPASS CERTIFICATE 2018
MBSA has successfully received the GreenPASS Operation Certificate for Wisma MBSA HQ and achieved 1 diamond with a carbon emission reduction of 7.87% equivalent to 443.22 tonnes CO2/year.
- WISMA MBSA GREENPASS CERTIFICATE 2019
MBSA has successfully received the GreenPASS Operation Certificate for Wisma MBSA HQ and achieved 2 diamonds with a carbon emission reduction of 12.87% equivalent to 725.40 tonnes CO2/year.
- WORLD URBAN FORUM 2020
The launching of SDGs City Report was held on 9 February 2020 at Hall 5, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Center (ADNEC) by YB. Dato ‘ Seri Amirudin Bin Shari, Menteri Besar of Selangor and witnessed by YB. Hajah Zuraidah Binti Kamarudin, Minister of KPKT.
- MALAYSIA SDG CITIES ROADMAP CERTIFICATE
MBSA participated in MUF2020 and also shared experiences in the Sustainable Development Goals agenda for Shah Alam City. MBSA is the only Local Authority in Malaysia that has completed the Voluntary Local Review (VLR).
References
[1] LCC2030C Audit Report
[2] 2018-2019 Blueprint Implementation Document Section5, Shah Alam for Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge (LCC2030C) – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 3]
[3] Shah Alam Low Carbon City Blueprint Implementation Document Baseline 2015-2019 Low Carbon Cities Challenge – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 3]
[4] Shah Alam Low Low Carbon City 2030 Action Plan – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 5]
[5] Shah Alam Low Low Carbon City 2030 Action Plan – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 5]
[6] Shah Alam Low Carbon City Blueprint Implementation Document Baseline 2015-2019 Low Carbon Cities Challenge – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 22]
[7] Shah Alam Low Carbon City Blueprint Implementation Document Baseline 2015-2019 Low Carbon Cities Challenge – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 26-35]
[8] Shah Alam Low Carbon City Blueprint Implementation Document Baseline 2015-2019 Low Carbon Cities Challenge – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 36-42]
[9] Shah Alam Low Low Carbon City 2030 Action Plan – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 17]
[10] Shah Alam Low Low Carbon City 2030 Action Plan – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 18]
[11] Shah Alam Low Low Carbon City 2030 Action Plan – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 19]
[12] Shah Alam Low Carbon City Blueprint Implementation Document Baseline 2015-2019 Low Carbon Cities Challenge – Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [pg 92-102]