Green Technology Application for the Development of Low Carbon Cities (GTALCC)

Action Implemented

With funding support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP is working together with our partners the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) to implement a low carbon cities project titled the Green Technology Application for the Development of Low Carbon Cities (GTALCC) project. The objective of the project is to facilitate the implementation of low carbon initiatives in at least five Malaysian cities and showcase a clear and integrated approach to low carbon development.

Outcomes and Expected Impact

The objective will be achieved by removing barriers to integrated low carbon urban planning and development through 1) policy support for promotion of integrated low carbon urban development, which will enable cities to implement and adopt integrated low carbon urban development plans and programmes; 2) awareness and institutional capacity development, which will expedite appraisal, approval and implementation of strategic urban development, and ensure cities are aware of and planning and implementing low carbon technology applications, and; 3) low carbon technology investments in cities, where there is an increase in investment in low carbon technologies with more low carbon projects implemented.

Sustainability and Scalability

The project will be implemented over 5 years in Cyberjaya, Iskandar Malaysia, Melaka, Petaling Jaya, and Putrajaya. It is expected to generate direct GHG emission reductions of 346,442 tCO2eq by End of Project and 2,152,032 tonnes CO2eq over the lifetime of project investment.

Innovative and Cultural Aspects

It is crucial for both cities and the national government to play their respective roles in this low-carbon transition. The GTALCC project is supporting this by working with five pilot cities (Putrajaya, Iskandar Malaysia, Cyberjaya, Petaling Jaya and Hang Tuah Jaya) to roll out sustainable city solutions. At the same time, the project is leveraging national support through the development of the National Low Carbon Cities Masterplan, which outlines the direction and plans for the transition towards low carbon cities in Malaysia. The Masterplan which will be launched in 2020 establishes a common definition of what low carbon cities are, while identifying the key actions and targets for cities. The GTALCC project builds upon the work that UNDP Malaysia is doing on localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and making the SDGs real to communities, households and cities.

Lessons Learned

Various strategies have been developed in the pursuit of making Malaysian cities low carbon. To ensure this objective is achieved, it is important for Malaysia to establish a clear and comprehensive institutional framework to support Low Carbon Cities (LCC) implementation. Through this framework, it is hoped that all parties, especially local authorities, feel empowered and can play more effective roles in ensuring that LCC planning and development are achievable. Hence, the federal and state governments should establish the appropriate institutional framework to support LCC implementation at the local levels.

Social Inclusion

Under Component 2: Awareness and Institutional Capacity Development, GTALCC 1) Strengthens coordination mechanisms both vertically between federal and local levels, and horizontally across stakeholders at each level; 2) Provides training for policy decision makers, local governments, green practitioners and financing institutions on urban planning processes; and 3) Develops knowledge management systems for low carbon city development. Under Component 3: Low Carbon Technology Investment in Cities, GTALCC scales up green technology incentive schemes in target cities for households and SMEs.