Low Carbon Cities Framework awards handed out at IGEM 2018

The Low Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF) Awards were presented to 12 local authorities and a university in Malaysia this month at International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM). A local authority is a county, city or district public sector organisation in Malaysia.

LCCF is a national low carbon framework for cities which was developed by the Malaysia Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), formerly known as the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water Malaysia; and the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (MGTC) under the Smart Sustainable Cities flagship, to facilitate, guide and assess the development of low carbon cities throughout Malaysia and support its goal of becoming a green nation by 2020.

The LCCF also assists local authorities, developers and universities to achieve low carbon status, providing tools to implement strategies that will reduce their carbon emissions in phases.

Three of the local suthorities received the Diamond Recognition Award at IGEM 2018 in acknowledgement of their efforts in reducing their levels of carbon emission based on their action plans.

At the end of 2017, Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA), Majlis Perbandaran Klang (MPK) and Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Prai (MPSP) successfully reduced a combined 4,268.15 tCO₂* in emissions. This was achieved through building energy efficiency, waste recycling, providing low carbon mobility solutions and substantive tree planting in their cities.

Provisional Certificate recipients were recognised for fulfilling the baseline assessment within their working systems. Under the stipulations of the certificate, a comprehensive action plan must be developed and then implemented in the next couple of years.

LCCF is a performance-based system that measures a city’s environmental impact. It looks at the total carbon emissions of a city across four key elements; urban infrastructure, urban environment, urban transportation and buildings.

Realising the importance of measuring performance of cities and townships vis a vis CO₂ emission levels of the country, LCCF was established to inspire stakeholders and users to participate in the mitigation of climate change through a real time carbon abatement measure.

For this year’s award recipients at IGEM 2018 are:

Source: MGTC. MGTC's CEO, Dr Mohd Azman Bin Zainul Abidin (centre) with Diamond Recognition recipients. The award presentation was also graced by the Honourable Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Azhar Bin Haji Yahaya, Secretary General, MESTECC. Asdirhyme Bin Abdul Rasib, Senior Undersecretary for Energy Sector, MESTECC was also in attendance.

LCCF Diamond Recognition

• Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA)

• Majlis Perbandaran Klang (MPK)

• Majlis Perbandaran Seberan Prai (MPSP)

LCCF Provisional Certificate

• Majlis Perbandaran Bentong

• Majlis Perbandaran Kajang

• Majlis Perbandaran Pasir Gudang

• Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya

• Majlis Perbandaran Batu Pahat

• Majlis Perbandaran Langkawi

• Majlis Perbandaran Selayang

• Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang

• Majlis Perbandaran Jasin

• UNIMAS, Sarawak

From 2011 till 2018, five local authorities and two universities received the Diamond Recognition award and 19 local authorities and three universities received the Provisional Certificate. As of October 2018, 28 other local authorities have also begun the process of LCCF by attending training and working out the proper structures at the local authority level.

Private developers of townships and industrial parks such as Selangor Bio Bay, Malaysia Vision Valley and Iskandar Halal Park are also beginning to adopt LCCF and move towards low carbon developments.

LCCF aims to get the 52 local authorities from the major urban areas to begin the journey towards low-carbon cities by 2020. This effort will drive Malaysia’s commitment towards reducing our CO₂ emissions intensity of up to 45% by 2030.

The latest IPCC Report has outlined the need for immediate and concrete global action towards reducing CO₂ emissions. The time for action is now and through LCCF, Malaysia has a strong foundation to build on to push towards a low carbon nation.

*TCO2 or total CO₂ is a measure of carbon dioxide that includes CO₂ as we know it as well as CO₂ in other forms including bicarbonate (HCO₃), carbonate (CO₃) and carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).

The RYDE Carpool Challenge starts this April

RYDE, the Singapore carpooling app, has in partnership with Cycle & Carriage launched RYDE Carpool Challenge with a Mitsubishi Attrage as the giveaway.

RYDE’s first nationwide campaign runs for eight months, from 1 April 2016. With the help of all members, RYDE targets to clock a total carpool distance of 1,000,000km and thereby reduce 200,000kg of carbon emissions in this campaign. The aim is to promote carpooling as a more sustainable option to move around.

Every month, two winners will be picked - the top rider and top driver with the most number of successful carpool trips for that month. At the end of eight months, the top three riders and top three drivers from the monthly winners will proceed to the final round to compete for the grand prize. A member may only win one monthly challenge but can continue to improve on his or her personal performance in later months, with the best score used in a bid to qualify for the finals. All scores will be calculated based on the number of successful carpool trips per month.

The final round involves the six finalists sharing their most memorable carpooling experience and why they want to win the car. The winner receives a Mitsubishi Attrage, an ecofriendly sedan, in December 2016.

“We are very excited to partner RYDE to help promote carpooling in Singapore. The Attrage has superior fuel efficiency of 20.8km/litre; this enables the driver to save more with every ride!” said Alvyn Ang, Director of Operations from Cycle & Carriage.

Aviva will also be sponsoring a free one-year motor insurance plan for the winner. Pan Jinlong, Head of General Insurance from Aviva, said, “We are happy to work with RYDE to create awareness for carpooling because this is an ecofriendly alternative for the daily commute.”

Terence Zou, Founder and CEO of RYDE Technologies, said, “We want to promote carpooling in a fun, creative and engaging way where everyone can do their part in reducing our carbon footprint with some friendly competition. The average car on the road emits 187g CO²/km. We chose a fuel efficient car, the Mitsubishi Attrage that emits only 113g CO²/km as the grand prize. A perfect car to carpool with!”

posted from Bloggeroid

Cachet Hotel Group reveals URBN Shanghai's new look

The Cachet Hotel Group (CHG) has completed renovations to the edgy URBN Hotel in Shanghai, which is a converted warehouse space. Under the creative direction of CHG's celebrity fashion designer, Jay Godfrey, the new interiors provide a modernist zen experience for hotel guests. The neutral colour palette also enhances the natural beauty of the recycled and reclaimed wood materials used. 

Source: CHG. The Jay Godfrey Courtyard Suite.

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140911/0861406560

The URBN Shanghai hosts a signature Jay Godfrey designer suite. This 40 square meter suite features black lacquer finishes throughout, modern artwork, Tom Dixon pendant lights and an indoor-outdoor lounge 26 sq m terrace that overlooks the hotel's courtyard.

Business travellers will find URBN Hotel's new guestrooms more convenient for work, sleep and relaxation. All the guest rooms have been upgraded with new Mayair Technology air purification systems. Guests can also enjoy in-room Nespresso coffee machines, smart phone docking stations and wall-mounted 46" Samsung HD TV Performance Line televisions featuring international and local channels.

Each redesigned guest room features light fixtures with eco-friendly origins. A customisable lighting installation allows guests to create their own mood setting via remote control. URBN's signature Renewal Bed is also eco-friendly, being made from 100% natural materials, including cactus fibre, seaweed and coconut fibre. The Renewal Bed features a four-layer bed system and 600-thread count Egyptian cotton sheet for a better sleep experience. 

The eco-boutique hotel also features a brand new fitness center called URBNfit. URBN has also partnered with Shanghai art gallery Art+ to display their contemporary artworks throughout the hotel and penthouses. 

"The redesigned and renovated URBN hotel reflects our passion in providing enriching and healthy experiences for today's discerning travellers pivoted by design, sustainability and comfort," said Aaron Griffiths, President of Hospitality Development. "Our guests will find not just a refreshed style but serious substance – that will make their stay at URBN hotel an even more restful and inspiring experience."

This October, URBN will introduce the BeerGRDN restaurant and bar, designed to be a casual dining and social venue, perfect for groups, sharing and celebrations. The bistro-style menu focuses on Italian and American flavours with a contemporary twist. 

Lonely Planet's eco-friendly top 10 includes places in Jordan, Papua New Guinea

Lonely Planet has chosen 10 of the most outstanding eco-friendly hotels and hostels from nominations by Lonely Planet authors and travel editors. No. 8 and no. 9 on the list are from the Middle East and Asia respectively.

Dana Guest House in Jordan has "one of the Middle East's most amazing views", Lonely Planet says. The guest house is run by Jordan's Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), and is located on the edge of the cliffs of Wadi Dana. 

According to the RSCN, Dana Guest House has facilities for courses and conferences, and can be used for retreats and workshops. It consists of nine comfortable rooms, and can house a maximum of 23 people. 

Eight of the rooms share the external toilets and showers, while a single suite, has a private bathroom, adding character and authenticity to the entire experience. Most rooms also come with private terraces that offer spectacular views of the surrounding wadi and mountains.

Nuli Sapi is ranked no. 9 on Lonely Planet's list. Set in Logeia Island in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, Nuli Sapi is approximately 1.5 hours by dinghy from Alotau. 
 

Source: Nuli Sapi Facebook page. Nuli Sapi at low tide.

Lonely Planet notes that the four bungalows are "simple but comfortable and made entirely of bush materials, with a veranda perched over the water". Each bungalow contains a queen-sized bed, bathroom and a verandah overlooking the China Strait, says the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority.

Guests can learn about the daily life of the community, including clay pot cooking, fishing from a canoe, and hunting for crabs.