TWO leading agencies sealed an agreement to help build climate resilience and adaptivity as the state stares down another high-humidity spell, blamed on the ill effects of climate change.
Both regeneration specialist - Think City Sdn Bhd and the Penang Green Council (PGC) Sdn Bhd inked a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on advancing the sustainable school programme, and importantly to build up capacity building to fight climate change from young.
Signing on behalf of Think City was its board of directors member, Suryani Senja Alias, while PGC was represented by its chief executive officer, Josephine Tan Mei Ling.
Witnessing it were state executive councillors Zairil Khir Johari and Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo.
There was also an award presentation for the climate action plan from the Youth Climate Southeast Asia summit.
The winners were SMJK Chung Ling - Excellent Integrated Sustainability Systems Award, SMK Permatang Tok Jaya - Excellent Circular Economy Initiative Award, SMK Kulim - Excellent Environmental Storytelling Award, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore - Excellent Sustainability Education Award and Kolej Tunku Kurshiah - Outstanding Youth Leadership & Project Impact Award.
Zairil spoke about the importance of the Penang Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme
or PNBCAP, which brings together all agencies in coping with climate change.
"Climate change is not experienced only during extreme events. It is also felt every day — in the heat on our streets, in our public spaces, and in how comfortable it is to move around the city.
“Increasingly, heat is shaping how people walk, work, wait for transport, and use shared urban spaces, particularly in dense city environments like George Town."
PNBCAP therefore addresses both flooding and heat as interconnected climate risks.
Climate adaptation cannot be approached in silos, but must be integrated across planning, infrastructure, communities, and institutions, said Zairil.
"Climate resilience is therefore not only about preventing damage during disasters, but a climate pressures."
Since PNBCAP commenced more than 30 months ago, the programme has brought together multiple agencies and partners to address climate impacts in a more integrated way, using nature-based solutions alongside conventional infrastructure, said Zairil.
Zairil also said that the traffic management plan (TMP) for the Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) project was submitted and reviewed on a monthly basis to keep pace with the evolving nature of construction works and their impact on the traffic flow.
“The plan is thoroughly scrutinised by all relevant technical departments before it receives approval. As this is a dynamic project, the scope of work changes from time to time. Construction may be relocated or schedules adjusted, which is why the TMP must be updated monthly."
For the Chinese New Year period, there will be no major lane closures.
Any necessary works will be carried out at night and will avoid peak hours, he said.
The 29.5-kilometre rail alignment will link 21 stations across the island and be supported by park-and-ride facilities, feeder bus services and two main depots.
The line will serve major locations including Penang International Airport, the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, George Town’s city centre and Penang Sentral, as well as areas near police stations in Jalan Tengah, Bayan Baru, Sungai Nibong and Jelutong. - February 11, 2026.
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