JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Sustainability Centre (JSC) will identify ‘’green’’ projects that can be implemented in the state to face the challenges of climate change and meet the demand for new energy in the future, among others.
JSC chairman Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad said the first phase of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) provides an opportunity for Johor to get involved and move towards a more efficient energy transition.
“Apart from bridging the gap between academia, industry and other parties, we also hope that JSC can play a role in highlighting projects such as mangrove forest conservation, waste and garbage management, water management and so on.
“We have many water catchment areas that are threatened because of climate change. Another important issue is financing, so we need to find a way to attract the private sector to invest,“ he said when met at the Asia Pacific Climate Week 2023 (APCW 2023) here today.
Hasni said the JSC’s advisory board consists of experts in various fields, such as Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar; national infectious disease expert Professor Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman; and economist Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi, and the board could best identify green and sustainable projects for the state.
“We will identify green projects or programmes in Johor to propose to the state government. We will also engage with industries, for example, there are incentives from the government (under NETR) to implore industries with high electricity usage to switch to solar energy as an option.
“So, we want the industries in Johor to get involved, don’t be left behind and seize the opportunities provided. JSC will play a role in spreading information and development in the country as well as globally (green and related industries),“ he said.
Hasni, who is former Johor menteri besar, said Singapore’s demand for green energy is also seen as a factor in attracting foreign investors to develop and generate green energy in the state.
He said Johor needs to keep pace in managing climate change and introduce steps to switch to green energy or implement various green programmes including renewable energy (RE).
The JSC, which was launched three days ago at APCW 2023, was established as an effort by the state government to empower the ‘’Johor Hijau’’ development plan, as part of the state government’s green initiative framework. - Bernama
