Help to tackle climate crisis

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has received a boost from the United Kingdom in its efforts to combat climate change.

Through a programme called Urban Climate Action Plan, DBKL will receive expertise and financial support to carry out long-term strategies to reduce carbon emission.

It will also receive support from C40 Cities, a global network of mayors from over 100 cities, which aims to tackle the climate crisis.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah said the Malaysian capital city was chosen due to its potential as an emerging civilisation in South-East Asia.

“From the collaboration, we will have experts training our officers to carry out plans,” he said.

As a start, DBKL is drafting guidelines to ensure upcoming developments are equipped with low-carbon technologies.

Mahadi (right) and Jose-Ballesteros launching the collaboration with the UK. – FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

“We are also aiming to map out energy efficiency and action plans to achieve zero net emission in the city,” he added.

To ensure the plans are on track by 2025, a task force comprising various DBKL departments will be formed to monitor the progress.

The mayor was speaking at the launch of the collaboration with the UK in Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur last week, which was also attended by C40 Cities (East, South-East Asia and Oceania) regional director Milag San Jose-Ballesteros.

On Nov 11, the UK government announced on its website a £27.5mil (RM143.6mil) programme to support cities in developing countries to develop low-carbon infrastructure and become carbon neutral by 2050.

“Urban buildings like homes, workplaces, schools and hospitals account for around 40% of global emissions.

“Expediting the transition to net zero carbon emission is therefore vital to realise the goal of keeping global warming close to 1.5°C,” the website statement further said.

Jakarta in Indonesia and Quezon City in the Philippines were the two other cities in South-East Asia joining the collaboration.