KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Green technology, or "greentech" has been
acknowledged as the technology able to overcome destruction of the environment
caused by carbon emissions.
The application of greentech is also known to boost human health.
Utilisation of green technology has had an impact on the green revolution by
producing more innovations in the effort to reduce carbon emissions and energy
consumption, as well as conserve the environment.
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in April 2009,
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that Malaysia had agreed to
reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 per cent by the year 2020.
In line with this objective, Malaysia has drafted the Green Technology
Policy to provide direction for all Malaysians to enjoy better surroundings and
a healthier life.
Green technology is also important in the construction industry, where all
players in this sector are encouraged to utilise it.
The Construction Industry Master Plan 2006-2015 underlines the importance of
the environment to achieve the highest possible standard in terms of quality,
safety and health.
Via the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), various action plans
have been drawn to fully implement this goal.
CIDB AND GREEN TECHNOLOGY
The agency has established the Green Technology Programme in line with the
environmental development programme initiative of 1999 by setting up the
Technical Committee of Good Environmental Practices, also known as TC9.
CIDB Construction Technology and Development Sector manager Emasria Ismail
says this committee assists in the development of policies to improve green
practices in the construction industry.
The committee has produced several publications, including one on
environmental good practices.
"In 2010, CIDB formed the Technical Committee on Best Practice in Green
Technology in the construction industry, comprising representatives from
government agencies, professional bodies, academicians and societies related to
the construction industry.
"The committee is to assist the CIDB to identify the preparation and
development of the construction industry''s standards, guidelines, manual,
technical reports and training modules related to green technology," Emasria
says.
CIDB ASSESMENT STANDARD
CIDB is actively pursuing a programme for quality evaluation known as the
Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC), as well as Safety and
Health Assessment System in Construction (SHASSIC) that assess the practices on
safety and health at work sites.
To complement QLASSIC and SHASSIC, CIDB, with the cooperation from the
Technical Committee on Standard Green Performance Assessment System in
Construction, developed the construction industry standard known as the Green
PASS to assist the industry in evaluating the impact of buildings on the
environment.
However, this standard is still in the evaluation stage, with improvements
to be made to ensure all aspects are taken into account, she says.
ENCOURAGEMENT TO APPLY GREEN TECHNOLOGY
As an agency under the Works Ministry, CIDB is entrusted to develop the
construction industry.
It is taking proactive measures to introduce the Green Technology Programme
in construction, and this programme has received feedback from various
government agencies and other professional bodies.
Emasria says that among the green technology programmes being implemented
are green labelling for construction products known as the CIDB Green Label.
"This programme is to encourage manufacturers and producers of construction
materials to make environmentally friendly construction materials.
“Green labelling is able to boost the green building assessment system or
index, and green procurement to be implemented by the government soon."
She says the CIDB provides a scheme to guide contractors towards ISO 14001
Environmental Management System (EMS) certifiction.
The scheme was developed to assist contractors in implementing a structured
and effective environmental plan as support for environmental conservation.
It is also to provide information on contractors who have shown commitment
to environmental conservation to relevant agencies such as the Public Works
Department (JKR), housing developers and local authorities.
GREEN CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE 2012
CIDB''s proactive move in improving awareness among those in the construction
industry towards the importance of green technology assessment is to support the
nation''s efforts in reducing carbon emissions by 2020.
Hence, the agency, with collaboration from local and foreign industry
players, held the inaugural Green Construction Conference last Feb 15 and 16.
The conference focused on green technoogy applications in construction, and
among the speakers were experts in green technology from Australia, Finland,
Singapore and Dubai.
A live video conference was staged with the office of the California
Governor on Green California Building Industries and Cities. The conference was
staged to obtain California''s experience in green technology in construction.
Among other programmes held was an exhibition on green technology products,
GreenBuild Asia and International Construction 2012 at the Kuala Lumpur
Convention Centre KLCC).
The presentation of the Environment Special Award was also held at the
Malaysia Construction Industry Excellence Award event, to acknowledge the
contractor who has applied green technology in their work.
Emasria says she hopes that these initiatives will enhance the good
practices of green technology in the industry.
-- BERNAMA
ZUL INE CR