KLCC accelerates towards sustainability remake

The Centre signs a MoU on sustainability partnership with the Solar Energy Research Institute.

(From left) KLCC’s Robert Hatton-Jones and John Burke; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Wan Kamal Mujani; Solar Energy Research Institute’s Mohd Adib Ibrahim.
(From left) KLCC’s Robert Hatton-Jones and John Burke; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Wan Kamal Mujani; Solar Energy Research Institute’s Mohd Adib Ibrahim. Photo Credit: KLCC

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) has signed a MoU on sustainability partnership with the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), a research institution established by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

The partners will study the materiality of the venue’s current sustainability initiatives. Based on the outcome of the study, new strategies will be developed to enhance and accelerate the Centre’s progress towards achieving its Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) pledge.

The assessment will be conducted by a team of researchers from SERI by employing scientific methods with reference to globally recognised standards. The data from the study will be used to develop a comprehensive report on the Centre’s sustainability performance.

SERI was formed to address the immediate issue of fossil fuels consumption that cause environmental pollution and global warming. With a commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions, SERI plays a vital role in driving the country’s transition towards clean and renewable energy sources.

Recognised for its cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and multidisciplinary approach, SERI actively collaborates with industry partners, government agencies, and international research institutions to foster knowledge exchange, facilitate technology transfer and engage in collaborative research projects.

KLCC GM, John Burke, said: “The assessment that will be conducted by SERI will help us to strengthen the foundational elements of our sustainability pathway and enhance the effectiveness of our existing efforts and initiatives. Building on our on-going efforts towards reducing environmental impacts from events, this assessment will enable us to foster closer co-operation with clients on aligning our goals in effectively delivering net-zero carbon events.”

Wan Kamal Mujani, deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said: “Through this (partnership), we aim to gain insights into the challenges and opportunities of sustainability in the business events industry and help develop strategies and potential solutions to address current gaps to boost the Centre’s sustainability performance in the long-term.”

KLCC recently announced that is has achieved a pioneering subscription to the Green Electricity Tariff (GET), a programme launched by the Malaysian government and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the nation’s largest electricity utility company, enabling the venue to be powered by renewable energy.