Selangor To Launch Green Council

Dear YB Elizabeth Wong, 

Based on your comments, you are probably the first politician who articulates very well in the subject of Malaysia GHG reduction commitment. We do hope Selangor state will be the first in the country to declare its CO2 reduction target ! As residents in Selangor, we are more than happy to be part of the stakeholders to provide our inputs :)

Cheers.... 

we @ sdmalaysia

Selangor To Launch Green Council

-The Sun- by Tan Yi Liang
PETALING JAYA ( June 7, 2010 ): The Selangor government will be launching a Green Council to plan environmentally-friendly policies and initiatives.This was announced yesterday by Selangor Executive Councillor for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment Elizabeth Wong.

“We will be establishing the Selangor Green Council. It is a forum consisting of entrepreneurs, civil societies, scientists, educators who will help us formulate green policies and initiatives,” said Wong.

“This council will undertake activities to raise public awareness of climate change and the need to undertake policy shifts with regard to our approaches towards development,” she added.

Wong, who delivered the opening speech at the Greener Governance Talk organized by the Selangor Government said that Selangor had to take the lead as it was Malaysia’s most industrialized state.

“Selangor must take the lead in realizing Malaysia’s pledge at Copenhagen in October last year to reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions,” said Wong, who revealed state government initiatives in that direction.

“We have initiated a special study to determine what would be our emissions,” she said.

“Selangor as a state can, and must play its part in the global solution to climate change by introducing sustainable development policies that include mitigation and adaptation,” added Wong, who pointed out that such developments could in fact be good for businesses.

“We are fully aware of the need to create jobs and business opportunities to increase Selangor’s prosperity. The council, along with entrepreneurs and businesses will recommend to the state pro-growth green initiatives.”

“Our efforts to address climate change should open new windows for entrepreneurs and businesses, including social entrepreneurs whose prime motivation is to provide social goods to the community,” said Wong.

“We need to mainstream climate change in sustainable development, and as a state government we must do our part in solidarity with the global community to address this issue,” added Wong. – theSun

Green Technology Budget for Malaysia: Leading by example

This is a another good news from the Prime Minister. You lead by example when you have your own office installed with Green features. Can't wait to see the results..... 

Source: BERNAMA

More Emphasis To Green Technology In 2011 Budget, Says Najib

PUTRAJAYA, July 6 (Bernama) -- Green technology will be one of the key areas to be given priority in the 2011 Budget, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"We need to go green. We have to provide enough incentives for private and public sectors to invest in green technology," he said.

For a start, the Government recently approved that the Prime Minister's Office must be a green building, he said.

"That would set as a benchmark. That has already been decided by the cabinet and is being implemented," he said in his closing remarks at the 2011 Budget consultation meeting here Tuesday.

"I am very keen to see what is happening in my office," he said.

On the meeting, Najib said he was pleased with the discussions that drew 455 participants.

They are from government agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs), business and corporate bodies, professional organisations, chambers of commerce and industry, academics and non-governmental organisations.

Najib said the Finance Ministry received 64 memorandums covering a wide spectrum of macro-economics, sectoral and social issues.

They're very useful ideas that we can pick up. I will combine these (ideas) with the initiatives carried out by the National Key Economic Areas labs.

"The labs will also come up with very useful suggestions to take on board as the 2011 Budget is the beginning of the next push towards Vision 2020," he said.

Najib said the 10 broad areas identified for discussions are human capital for the new economy, seizing local opportunities, enhancing renewable energy for sustainable environment and strengthening corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

"There is a need to encourage CSR activities for our companies to look after their employees' welfare," he said.

In some sub-sectors like plantations, there was a need to enhance some of the support that has been given to employees, he said.

"Terms and conditions of service and facilities provided, especially by GLCs, should be a model or benchmark and not the other way round," he added.

-- BERNAMA