Penang Green Summit set to pave way forward for sustainable energy

THE annual Penang Green Summit with a central theme of sustainable energy, will offer insights into how small medium enterprises (SMEs) and industries can transition into renewables and environmental social governance (ESG) reporting.

With just 48-hours to go before the event makes its debut at the newly completed Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), the main organiser - the Penang Green Council (PGC)'s general manager Josephine Tan outlined the way forward.

Tan espoused that besides holding an exhibition space for green - linked companies to showcase their latest innovations, what can be derived is a roadmap for Penang - based SMEs and industries to meet their respective green targets and also be comfortable with the required ESG reporting.

The event would see keynote addresses by Dr Afiza Idris, the energy division director of the Economy Ministry, and Southwest Jiaotong University's director of Hydrogen and Energy Storage Technology Institute Prof Chen Wei Rong.

There would also be a panel discussion on the way forward for sustainable energy, involving PGC programme manager Dr Ng Shin Wei as the moderator.

The panellists are former Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari and Malaysian Photovoltaic and Sustainable Energy Industry Association president Justin Sim.

There is also noteworthy initiatives of financing for sustainable energy and digitalisation of the energy sector.

Alliance Bank is leading the way in how Penang - based financiers can participate in green initiatives when it signs a memorandum of understanding with PGC on exploring the transitional journey into greenery objectives.

The tackling of climate change is a magnitude struggle which requires segmentation of which this summit's focus is on energy renewables.

Some interesting outcomes from advocating sustainable energy would be the requirement from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) that the common areas for new housing projects must now be 50% powered by renewable energy.

"PGC can also advise industries on waste and water management as well as ESG reporting," said Tan.

To lighten the serious tone of the event, PGC has also engaged comedian Harith Iskandar to de-stress audience at the gala dinner where green awards would be presented to deserving companies and individuals.

Meanwhile, Zairil said that the decarbonisation efforts in Penang, cannot solely involve the authorities.

"There needs to be a buy in from everyone, from all strata of society. We need commitment from everyone to fight the climate emergency upon us."

Zairil said that Penang is exploring various means to sustain the environment better despite the obvious challenges.

For him as the Tanjung Bungah assemblyperson, there is a recycling initiative at the area's main wet market, which is done in collaboration with the MBPP and PGC.

He hopes to engage various individuals, civil society and schools on the recycling efforts, especially on e-waste, which is growing in tandem with the importance of digitalisation in everyday life.

The recycling initiative has a few incentives for the ratepayers here, especially residents in the affluent Tanjung Bungah neighbourhood.

They can exchange their discards for shopping vouchers, which can be used at the Lotus hypermarkets and other participating vendors.

The collection date is every Tuesday from 5.30pm to 7pm and every first Thursday of the month from 6pm to 7pm.

There is even an app made available for users to collect points and redeem it for shopping vouchers.

There is also an effort to recycle used cooking oil, so for every 1kg deposited, residents can earn RM3.

The used cooking oil is then collected by Arus Oil collection facility for their recycling activities.

"It is good for hawkers and even households to send their used cooking oil to be recycled," Zairil observed.

He added that the response among residents have been good towards the recycling initiatives, hoping that all other elected representatives can emulate what he has done in Tanjung Bungah.

Last year, his service centre collected up to 8,257.8kg in waste such as paper, card boxes, e-waste, e-scraps, steel scraps, and plastics.

"The change to challenges start with us, everyone, not just the authorities," said Zairil. - October 30, 2025.