Bangi, March 15 – Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) continues to successfully lead the nation’s green technology landscape through impactful projects under its four flagships; Green Malaysia Plan, Green Procurement, Electric Mobility and Sustainable Living, encouraging Malaysians to a green lifestyle resulting in a vibrant local green economy.
Under the dynamic leadership of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Ir. Ahmad Hadri Haris, GreenTech Malaysia has since 2013, raised the bar to introduce game-changing initiatives working in partnership with over 100 partners comprising international and local government ministries municipal councils, financial institutions, public and private corporations as well as academia.
Speaking at a media briefing, Ir. Ahmad Hadri Haris said, “Over the last couple of years, Malaysia has become an active participant and contributor to the global green transformation, from collaborating with several countries at COP21 to organising international green events on home ground.”
“To keep pace with these, at GreenTech Malaysia, I have been focused on strengthening the company’s foundation and forming the right partnerships in order for us to venture into bigger projects that can create greater socio-economic impact in line with Malaysia’s green agenda. We are always on the lookout for innovative ideas that have growth potential, which we will evaluate and subsequently help connect with financiers to make these ideas viable,” he added.
Under the Green Malaysia Plan Flagship, to-date the organisation has developed 10 green policies and blueprints, including the National Electric Mobility Blueprint, Kedah Green Agenda, Selangor Green Action Plan as well as the recently sanctioned Green Technology Master Plan. These documents are aimed at guiding the intended authorities and sectors to incorporate green action plans within their area of jurisdiction, contributing to the reduction of nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS), which is facilitated by GreenTech Malaysia, has thus far financed 272 green projects, amounting to RM2.96 billion. These projects are expected to contribute to the avoidance of 3.161 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, creating a total of 4,645 green jobs and generating RM5.812 billion in green investments.
Ahmad Hadri explained, “Over the years, the GTFS has helped Malaysian financial institutions grasp the prospect of green technology ventures better resulting in a growing acceptance amongst banks to fund new green projects even in the absence of proven track record. This clearly signals the shift in mindset amongst conventional banks to include green impact in their considerations in addition to the usual financial criteria.”
Currently GTFS boasts 28 international and local participating financial institutions such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, Public Bank and Maybank, from only 8 in 2010. The GTFS has also been recognised internationally for its successful role in spurring green investments. As a result, GreenTech Malaysia has been appointed as one of the founding members for the world’s first Green Bank Network in November 2015 and will be instrumental in facilitating the growth of green businesses within the ASEAN region.
Under the Green Procurement Flagship, GreenTech Malaysia initiated the Government Green Procurement programme in 2013, as the public sector represents about 15% of Malaysia’s GDP. Through a lead-by-example from Malaysian authorities, GreenTech Malaysia expects that the programme would have a trickle-down effect to influence the private sector, creating both supply and demand in the local market. To date, GreenTech Malaysia has extended the programme to 12 Ministries and Agencies with the target to have all Ministries participate in the programme by 2017, collectively achieving 20% of green procurement by 2020.
To further allow procurers to easily identify certified green products and services, GreenTech Malaysia introduced the MyHIJAU Mark in 2015, a green recognition scheme that identifies green products and services with existing green certifications, which are then registered and listed in the MyHIJAU Directory. At present, there are 103 companies participating in the MyHIJAU Mark and Directory with 369 registered green products and services. GreenTech Malaysia targets to register 300 companies with 2,000 green products and services by 2020.
In the area of Electric Mobility, GreenTech Malaysia has embarked on several engagements with stakeholders and the public to create greater awareness on the feasibility of electric vehicles (EVs) for public and private ownership. One of the key initiatives is the Tesla Programme initiated in 2015, which saw the Government approved for 100 Teslas to be imported to the country on a duty-free basis, to be leased to corporate leaders and key influencers to advocate the benefits of EVs. To date the organisation has delivered 17 Teslas, adding to the 114 number of EVs currently on Malaysia roads.
In support of the increasing shift to EVs, GreenTech Malaysia launched its very own charging station network, ChargEV, in 2015, to provide EV users greater charging convenience. The ChargEV technology is developed in partnership with The New Motion, a global leading manufacturer for EV charging system.
To date, GreenTech Malaysia has installed 150 ChargEV stations across the nation with the support from the increasingly eco-minded premise owners and property developers. GreenTech Malaysia is confident of expanding the network further, particularly with the partnerships forged with PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad and BMW Malaysia.
“During our engagement with industry players and the public, we can definitely see the excitement for EVs in the market. The challenge of course was the price factor and also to shift Malaysians away from the norm and embrace new technology. It is, therefore, our role to continuously demonstrate the feasibility of EVs, to gain market acceptance. This is critical in order for us to convince EV manufacturers that Malaysia has the potential to be the regional hub and to encourage them to invest in Malaysia,” Ir. Ahmad Hadri explained.
“After years of advocating, I am pleased to share that we are beginning to see a gradual shift to EVs as these have proven to be a practical solution to pollution while also helping drivers to save cost on fuel and maintenance and providing a green lifestyle option in transportation,” he added.
Under the Sustainable Living Flagship, the Low Carbon Cities Framework and Assessment System has been extended to 52 local authorities currently, an impressive rise from 6 in 2013. This is a clear indication that more local authorities are prioritising the concept of sustainable cities for their municipalities. GreenTech Malaysia targets to have all 154 local authorities understand the concept of the framework and 52 local authorities to implement the LCCF and produced their baseline CO2 data by 2020.
On an international level, the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) will continue to be one of the key platforms to spur the green economy, having successfully generated business leads of over RM10 billion in the past six years. This year, IGEM will take place from 11th to 13th October, targeting RM1.6 billion in business leads, 320 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors from over 20 countries.
Over and above this, GreenTech Malaysia will also be managing the Malaysia Pavilion, on behalf of the Malaysian Government and the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, for the upcoming International Specialized Exhibition EXPO-2017, themed “Future Energy”, to be held at Astana, Kazakhstan from 10th June for a period of three months. This platform is set to further showcase Malaysia’s best developments alongside 117 countries in the area of green technology and sustainability to an estimated audience of over five million visitors.
Ir. Ahmad Hadri further commented, “I am pleased to share that since realigning the company’s focus areas in 2013, GreenTech Malaysia has been able to deliver impactful results, through our many effective partnerships. This is a clear testament of the increased interest in green technology solutions, signalling promising growth in the green market.”
“To further maximise on this growth potential, we have assigned some of these projects to our subsidiaries, which will allow us to focus more sharply on the targeted key areas. These subsidiaries will also assist the organisation to drive commercial projects as part of our strategy to become self-sustaining and support the national green agenda,” he added.
About GreenTech Malaysia
Malaysian Green Technology Corporation or GreenTech Malaysia is a not-for-profit organisation under the purview of the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia (KeTTHA), charged in the development and promotion of green technology as a strategic engine for socio-economic growth in Malaysia.
About GreenTech Malaysia Alliances
Incorporated on 1st June 2015, GreenTech Malaysia Alliances Sdn. Bhd. (GTMA), a wholly owned subsidiary of GreenTech Malaysia, was established to accelerate the growth of Malaysia’s green market through strategic partnerships offering innovative sustainability solutions.
About GreenTech Catalyst
Incorporated on 15th October 2015, GreenTech Catalyst Sdn. Bhd. (GTC), a wholly owned subsidiary of GTMA, was established to expedite the adoption of green technology through the provision of advisory and business services in finance, entrepreneurship, standardisation and incentivisation.
About GreenTech IdeasLab
Incorporated on 16th March 2016, GreenTech IdeasLab Sdn. Bhd. (GTI), a wholly owned subsidiary of GTMA, was established to promote sustainable lifestyle through on-ground public engagements; develop green skills through customised training programmes; as well as spur the green economy through industry-level international exhibitions and professional consultancy.
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