Legislate ‘low carbon’ efforts

IT is pleasing to know that the Sustainable Energy Development Authority is working on renewable energy, as Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui told Parliament.

I hope such renewable energy drives begin at schools and universities. It is right that we do such things, and also begin to care for the many a green technology plan, wind turbines, low energy light bulbs, hybrid car batteries packs, not to forget advanced military technology.

That said, Mother Earth must be protected and safeguarded at all times.

Throw the book at those who destroy it or try to. This is the only Mother Earth we have. We can’t afford to lose it.

We just have to be serious on matters of the environment. Sometimes I see we take it easy here. Such ways will not do.

I am truly pleased, too, that recently the Government approved a Cabinet paper on the setting up of “green neighbourhoods” and “lowcarbon cities”.

These are commendable measures and demonstrate our commitment to reduce the national carbon intensity by 40% by 2020.

And the responsibility to achieve this lies with two key ministries: the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry. They should lay out their programmes for public scrutiny.

Promoting the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – as well as to provide cycling and walking paths are basic steps to achieve these targets. But “going low carbon” goes beyond these basic issues.

Energy use is a major carbon emitter and it is critical that energy use is reduced.

The design of new buildings, and renovating them to ensure they become energy-efficient can save electricity use substantially.

The most cost-effective means of achieving these savings is effective insulation, such as the use of mineral wool insulation for roofs, the use of the correct type of glass for windows and having adequate roof overhangs for shade.

Roof insulation and improving window glazing provide cost-effective energy-saving returns, especially for air-conditioned premises.

I suggest that the guidelines for low-carbon cities emphasise such measures, and that the guidelines be reinforced with legislation to make these requirements mandatory.

Mandatory compliance of lowcarbon, green building design codes and standards is needed to achieve energy efficiency for at least new buildings.

This should apply not only in the low-carbon cities but also for some buildings in selected communities in all parts of the country to show the savings that could be achieved. BULBIR SINGH, Seremban.