Kota Kinabalu, 15-17 August 2022 | GCoM Asia Project in collaboration with Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Low Carbon Asia Research Centre organised a three-day event as part of the second national workshop for Malaysian cities on Climate Change Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Climate Finance. The event was attended by 103 participants on the first day (official launch) with 47 people from 17 local governments and authorities participating in the entire training. The event was promoted and covered by local and national media in Malaysia.
The first day of the workshop focused on the official launching together with a dedicated thematic discussion and networking event. Following the welcoming remarks from HE Michalis Rokas (EU Ambassador to the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia), YB Datuk Abidin bin Madingkir Assistant Minister for Chief Minister of Sabah) delivered his speech and officially opened the GCoM Asia Project Second National Workshop in Malaysia.
The event created momentum by welcoming 7 (seven) new GCoM signatories from Malaysia: Johor, Kapit, Kulai, Miri, Penang Island, Sandakan, and Sibu. The mayors of Kapit, Penang, and Sibu were present on-site to sign the GCoM commitment letter accompanied by HE Michalis and YB Datuk Abidin. Before the signing ceremony, Asih Budiati (Team Leader, GCoM Asia Project) presented material on “The Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) in Southeast Asia Region: Policy and Perspective for Intervention”.
The event also witnessed the handing-over of 4 (four) Climate Action Plans (CAPs) developed under the GCoM phase I (International Urban Cooperation or IUC Asia Project): Hang Tuah Jaya, Muar, Penampang, and Tawau. The CAPs were handed over to the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA). Under the GCoM phase II (GCoM Asia Project), another 4 CAPs are being developed: Iskandar Puteri, Petaling Jaya, Putrajaya, and Segamat.
Following the official opening, the event proceeded to a panel discussion on “The Role of the Planning System in Climate Action Planning and Implementation” moderated by Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Siong (Director of UTM Low Carbon Asia Research Centre). Five speakers provided their insights in regards to the topic: Mr. Stanley Chong (Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Sabah), Datuk Seri Hj Mahadi Che Ngah (Mayor, Kuala Lumpur City Hall), Mrs. Sermsook Noppun (Chief of Climate Change Strategy Section, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand), Dato’ Ar. Yew Tung Seang (Mayor of the City Council of Penang Island/President of MALA, Dr. Alias Rameli (Director-General, PLAN Malaysia).
The participants then received training on “Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Introduction and Practical Exercises”. The training was divided into three modules: (1) GCoM CRF Introduction and Guide to ‘How to Prepare a Climate Action Plan?’; (2) Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHGI) Using CIRIS; (3) Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA); and (4) Climate Action Plan Development and Implementation.
After receiving training materials, the participants got to the “Stakeholders’ Engagement Session: Panel Discussion with Sabah Stakeholders”. This Session was dedicated to climate issues and challenges faced by Sabah, and the cities and agencies’ response to the ever-present threat. Lessons were drawn from cities and districts facing issues such as regular flooding, landslides, loss of forests, and energy provision. There were also firsthand accounts of NGOS, developers and businesses’ response through their innovative projects and community-based ideas.
On the second day, the participants also learned more about “Climate Finance for Programme Implementation” from various speakers. Ms. Norhasliza Mohd Mokhtar (Senior Director, Climate Action Group, Malaysian Green Technology Climate Change Corporation or MGTC), Mr. Andy Armansyah (Technical Support Consultant, UCLG ASPAC/GCoM Southeast Asia Secretariat), Ms. Pamela Cabacungan (Manager, Low Emission Development Pathway, ICLEI Southeast Asia Secretariat), Ms. Sheela Inthiram (Assistant Secretary, Climate Change Division, Ministry of Environment & Water or KASA), and Mr. Arthur Stephen Jimos (Director, Corporate Banking Malaysia, CIMB Group). The second day was concluded with a sharing session “Climate Actions by Malaysian Cities: Methods, Experience & Challenges” inviting the representatives from Iskandar Region, Iskandar Puteri, Penang, and Muar.
The last day was dedicated to site visits near Kota Kinabalu City. The first site was Penampang Energy/TONIBUNG facility (Kg. Nampasan, Penampang). The visit was hosted by RE Pioneer Former Senator Mr. Adrian Banie Lasimbang & team. The second site was Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, which is also Malaysia’s 7th Ramsar Site, Likas Bay (Bird Sanctuary).
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The workshop in Kota Kinabalu was the second workshop under the GCoM Asia Project in Malaysia. The first training workshop was hosted by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and held in Kuala Lumpur back on 21-22 March 2022. The article on the first workshop can be accessed here.
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Written by: Rona Ikram Putri
