Greening the Grassroots—A Journey for A Sustainable Petaling Jaya 

Background Information

Petaling Jaya has become the strategic partner of the Malaysian federal government through implementing a pilot project for a Low Carbon Cities Framework and Assessment System (LCCF) under the National Green Technology Policy. 

The LCCF was launched to adhere to the commitment of reducing carbon dioxide emission to 40 percent per unit of GDP by 2020 made by the Malaysia government during COP 15.

Goals of the Initiative

The LCCF aims to transform the city into a green city by 2020, an initiative in which grassroots participation is critical.

Fifty percent or 73,000 houses shall be green buildings in whole or in part with an emphasis on energy efficiency, water conservation and waste management. The initiative shall effect changes in building codes and policies of green building construction, such as rain water collecting systems, LED installations and sustainable building materials. 

Private-Public Partnerships between the government and businesses, as well as NGOs, with communities has been encouraged in planning, implementing, financing, monitoring and measuring the initiative. A sustainable development fund with seed money provided by the council has been established to encourage startup green projects by members of the community.      

Innovation for the Initiative

The initiative is revolutionary, as none of the local authorities in Malaysia have plans for greening the grassroots through multiple approaches and massive engagement. The initiative encourages grassroots participation through inclusive CEPA (Capacity Building, Education and Public Awareness) programs and the application of legal or economic instruments. 

Outcomes and Assessments

While the initiative was introduced for the benefit of locals, the impact has gone beyond the city, influencing changes of policies and legislation at the national level.

The LCCF contributed to the amendment of Uniform Building By Law, 1984 in requiring rain water harvesting systems installation in all buildings with roofing of 100 square meters and above. Its enforcement throughout Malaysia began in 2013.                      

A total of $300,000 was saved, and 12 thousand tons of CO2 was reduced as a result of the initiative with the participation of 2,200 NGOs/corporates. A total of 1,003 applications for development projects in 2010-2013 were approved with green building features either in total or in parts. If all the development projects take off within next three years, the target of 50 percent green buildings in Petaling Jaya by 2020 is attainable.