PLANNING MALAYSIA:

Journal of the Malaysian Institute of Planners

VOLUME 22 ISSUE 1 (2024), Page 334 – 348

THE PERFORMANCE OF KUALA LUMPUR’S CARBON

EMISSIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF URBAN PLANNING

Nurul Hidayah Zawawi1, M. Zainora Asmawi1, Irina Safitri Zen1

1
Department of Urban and Regional Planning,
Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design,
INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

Abstract

Cities are responsible for 70% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a global
scale, and cities play an important role in reducing GHG emissions. It is essential
for Kuala Lumpur to consider reducing the city's GHG emissions. The city's GHG
emission inventory can track and monitor the effectiveness of the climate action
plans that has been implemented. The aim of this study is to identify the
performance level of GHG emissions in Kuala Lumpur between 2010 and 2019.
It is also to identify the performance of Kuala Lumpur's GHG emissions in 2019
in comparison to the global and Malaysian level. Data is calculated using the
Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
(GPC), which is recognised and utilised globally. Secondary data for the years
2010 and 2019 was analysed as well as the performance of the Kuala Lumpur
GHG emission profile in 2019. With three (3) identified sources of emissions,
Kuala Lumpur managed to reduce its GHG emission intensity from 2010 by
74.07% in 2019. The city's GHG emission was recorded at 15,675 ktCO2eq in
2019. The stationary energy sector contributes higher GHG emission than other
sector, with 12,043 ktCO2eq (76.83%), followed by the transportation sector with
3,180 ktCO2eq (20.29%) and the waste sector with 452 ktCO2eq (2.88%). As of
2019, Kuala Lumpur's absolute carbon contribution to the global average is
0.03%, whereas Malaysia's absolute carbon contribution is 4.74%. Additionally,
the city contributes just 0.07 kgCO2eq/RM (30.17%) to Malaysia's total GHG
emission intensity.

Keywords: Carbon Emission, Greenhouse Gas Emission, Gross Domestic

Product, Greenhouse Gas Intensity, Kuala Lumpur

2
Professor at International Islamic University Malaysia Email: [email protected]
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Journal of the Malaysia Institute of Planners (2024)

INTRODUCTION
Global warming and climate change are mostly caused by GHG emissions. The
estimated amount of net anthropogenic GHG globally in 2019 is 59 + 6.6
GtCO2eq, resulting from a variety of gas types, according to Climate Change
2022 Mitigation of Climate Change Working Group III Contribution to the Sixth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC,
2022).

Table 1: Global Average Annual Emission for Year 2019

Gases Type Average Annual Emissions (GtCO2eq)
CO2 FFI 38 ± 3.0
CO2 LULUCF 6.6 ± 4.6
CH4 11 ± 3.2
N2O 2.7 ± 1.6
Fluorinated gases 1.4 ± 0.41
GHG 59 ± 6.6
Source: Climate Change 2022 Mitigation of Climate Change Working Group III Contribution to the Sixth
Assessment Report of the IPCC

Approximately 34% (20 GtCO2eq) of net globally GHG emissions

come from the energy sector, 24% (14 GtCO2eq) from industry, 22% (13
GtCO2eq) from AFOLU, 15% (8.7 GtCO2eq) from transport, and 6% (3.3
GtCO2eq) from buildings (IPCC, 2022).
In 2019, Malaysia recorded total GHG emissions of 330,358.21 Gg
CO2eq, excluding LULUCF. LULUCF activities have the potential for carbon
stocks to be reversible and non-permanent. The CO2 stored in soil and vegetation
can be reversed by human activity, natural disturbances, or both. It is also exposed
to the effects of climate change. Based on the Malaysia Fourth Biennial Update
Report Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(BUR4, 2022), the overall GHG emissions, excluding LULUCF, are 259,326.11
Gg CO2eq from the energy sector, 32,853.80 Gg CO2eq from the IPPU sector,
28,256.59 Gg CO2eq from the waste sector and 9,921.71 Gg CO2eq from the
agriculture sector. The total GHG emissions, including LULUCF, were
115,643.68 Gg CO2eq, with the LULUCF sector contributing -214,714.54 Gg
CO2eq. Hence, the Malaysia's GHG intensity against GDP (0.2320 kgCO2eq/RM)
in 2019 reduced by 35.90% compared to 2005 values (BUR4, 2022). Malaysia is
a very dynamic country where land use is rapidly changing as the country's
economy grows. As a result, land has frequently been changed within and
between land-use categories multiple times throughout the course of a 20-year
transition period.

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Nurul Hidayah Zawawi, M. Zainora Asmawi & Irina Safitri Zen
The Performance of Kuala Lumpur’s Carbon Emissions in the Context of Urban Planning

Table 2 Malaysia’s GHG emission

Sector Emissions/Removals (Gg CO2eq)
Energy 259,326.11
IPPU 32,853.80
Agriculture 9,921.71
LULUCF -214,714.54
Waste 28,256.59
Total (Excluding LULUCF) 330,358.21
Total (Including LULUCF) 115,643.68
Source: Malaysia Fourth Biennial Update Report Under the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change

Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, has developed to be one of the

biggest cities in the country and is experiencing the effects of climate change as
a result of increasing carbon emissions. It had seen extraordinary amounts of rain,
frequent flash floods, and rising temperatures. In line with that, Kuala Lumpur
has set a target of reducing GHG emissions intensity by 70% by 2030 (Kuala
Lumpur Low Carbon Society Blueprint 2030, 2018) in order to achieve carbon
neutrality (Kuala Lumpur Climate Action Plan, 2021) and become a net zero
carbon emission city by 2050 (2020 Kuala Lumpur City-Wide Greenhouse Gas
Inventory, 2022). At the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference of
Parties (COP26), in Glasgow, Scotland, Kuala Lumpur pledged to achieving
Carbon Neutrality by 2050 in order to make sure the city might withstand these
challenges. This pledge demonstrates Kuala Lumpur commitment to
mainstreaming climate action into the city’s long-term planning. Hence, Kuala
Lumpur City Hall has developed several of master plans and blueprints, including
the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 (2023), Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040
(Draft) (2024), Kuala Lumpur Low Carbon Society Blueprint 2030 (2018) and
Kuala Lumpur Climate Action Plan 2050 (2021) that aim to achieve the vision.
The Kuala Lumpur Low Carbon Society Blueprint 2030 (2018) established an
ambitious interim target of reducing carbon emission intensity by 70% by 2030,
which was expanded to the Kuala Lumpur Climate Action Plan 2050 (2021) to
incorporate adaptation measures and prioritise inclusive and wider benefits to
residents. The mitigation and adaptation programmes of climate action have been
integrated into all of these masterplans and blueprints, and the initiatives are
currently being mainstreamed into the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (2023),
which is being prepared in accordance with the Federal Territory (Planning) Act
1982 (Act 267, 1982) and will serve as the main tool for development control in
the city.
Kuala Lumpur was recorded that rapid urbanization process impacted
trends on land use (Norzailawati Mohd Noor, et al., 2013). Since climate change
is here to stay, Kuala Lumpur is entitled to a proactive role in handling it. Kuala
Lumpur City Hall began implementing city hall-focused initiatives through the

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Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s Carbon Management Plan (2017), using the approach
to lead by example strategy. Programmes at the city level under the Kuala
Lumpur Low Carbon Society Blueprint 2030 (2018) followed subsequently. This
Blueprint is focused on 245 green programmes, 10 actions, and 3 major thrusts.
The outcome of these programmes showed how urgently city-scale programmes
were needed to address Kuala Lumpur’s unexpected climate hazards. More
significantly, it is necessary to make sure that the comprehensive plans and
initiatives to make the city more resilient, vibrant, and inclusive are in line with
the climate action. To address the next phase of the climate action journey, the
Kuala Lumpur Climate Action Plan 2050 (2021) was developed. Together with
the involvement of numerous government agencies, residents associations,
professional associations, and non-profit organisations, all of these plans and
masterplans were developed.
The importance of gathering information and data is crucial for the
success of programmes because there is a lack of data quality and inventory to
measure GHG emissions. According to Grafakos et al. (2016a), one of the
challenging tasks of integrated climate change policy is monitoring actions. As a
result, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall has a comprehensive 2020 Kuala Lumpur
City-Wide Greenhouse Gas Inventory (2022). Nonetheless, Kuala Lumpur didn't
publish any GHG emissions report in 2019, making comparisons of Kuala
Lumpur GHG emissions to the rest of the global and Malaysia level were not
practicable. However, the number of GHG emissions in 2010 will be utilised as
the baseline, which is 22,852 ktCO2eq with a 0.27 emission intensity of GDP.
Some analysis will be conducted to describe Kuala Lumpur's GHG emissions for
the year 2019 using the GPC approach in accordance with global and Malaysian
regulations in order to determine the percentage of Kuala Lumpur's GHG
emission contribution. In addition, several cities in Malaysia had documented
their GHG emissions to support in the reduction of carbon emissions. Putrajaya
had measured 1,459 ktCO2eq in 2021. In the meantime, Seberang Perai's GHG
emissions in 2019 were 6,620.38 ktCO2eq.

LITERATURE REVIEW
The earth's surface temperature rises by 1.1°C between 2011-2020 compared to
1850-1900, showing clearly that human activity caused global warming (IPCC,
2023). This was primarily due to GHG emissions. Unsustainable energy use,
changes in land use, patterns of consumption and production within and between
countries, and individual behaviours have all contributed historically and
currently to the continual rise in GHG emissions worldwide. From Wagg (2015),
human activities or anthropogenic can produces GHG emissions that serve as a
blanket around the planet, trapping heat from the sun and increasing temperatures
(Wagg, 2023). Before the industrial age began in Europe, the atmospheric CO2
concentration was 180 ppm (Kyle Whittinghill, 2023) and in 2019, the

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Nurul Hidayah Zawawi, M. Zainora Asmawi & Irina Safitri Zen
The Performance of Kuala Lumpur’s Carbon Emissions in the Context of Urban Planning

atmospheric CO2 concentration has increased to 410 ppm (IPCC, 2023).

Reducing the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, increasing resource
efficiency in the built environment and energy systems, and enhancing carbon
storage related to land use and urban forestry are all strategies to help reduce
GHG emissions while enhancing a city's resilience. These strategies can be better
understood in order to identify greater opportunities for their integration in urban
areas (Grafakos, et al., 2018). According to the United Nations, the world's
population will increase from 7.7 billion in 2019 to 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion
in 2050 and 10.9 billion in 2100 (Population Division, 2019). In 2019,
approximately 48% of the global population lives in urban area (IPCC, 2023) and
accounted for 70% of global GHG emissions (KASA, 2021).
Due to their dense populations, cities are not only major contributors to
global GHG emissions but also extremely prone to the effects of climate change,
including heat waves, floods, severe storms, and droughts (Lucon et al., 2014;
Revi et al., 2014; Balaban & de Oliveira, 2013; Fischedick et al., 2012). In the
process of spatial planning, development plans such as Structure Plan are
essential for demonstrating how policies should be implemented. Delivering the
comprehensive urban GHG emission requirement requires a comprehensive
approach (Wee-Kean Fong et al., 2008).
The GPC (GPC, 2014) was developed in 2014 by the World Resource
Institute (WRI), Climate C40 Cities Leadership Group and ICLEI-Local
Government for Sustainability (ICLEI) as a method for preparing a GHG
inventory to enable reliable measurement and uniform GHG reporting. Cities all
across the world, including Malaysian cities, have begun to submit their own
GHG readings using GPC. The importance of GPC method was:

i. To assists the authorities on how to calculate and report local GHG emissions
in compliance with the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas
Inventories (IPCC, 2016).
ii. GHG emissions are calculated consistently, transparently, and internationally
recognised throughout all cities.

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Journal of the Malaysia Institute of Planners (2024)

Picture 1: GPC Guideline for Accounting and Reporting

Source: Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories

The GPC is designed to take into consideration the city's GHG

emissions for one reporting year. The GHG emissions from cities are categorised
into five (5) main sectors, as well as stationary energy, transportation, waste,
industrial processes and product use (IPPU) and agriculture, forestry and other
land use (AFOLU). The stationary energy sector is involved with energy usage,
the transportation sector is focused with transport types use, the waste sector is
concerned with waste generation, the IPPU sector is involved with industrial
activities, and the AFOLU sector is concerned with agriculture and forestry
activity.

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Nurul Hidayah Zawawi, M. Zainora Asmawi & Irina Safitri Zen
The Performance of Kuala Lumpur’s Carbon Emissions in the Context of Urban Planning

Table 3: GHG Emissions by Sectoral

Sector Details
Stationary Energy For most cities, stationary energy is the main source of emissions.
This relates to the use of energy of various types in the building
sector.
Transportation The resulting GHG emissions from private and public vehicles
on land, sea, and air.
Waste Emissions from organic material decomposition when waste is
disposed to a landfill, composted/digested anaerobically, or
burned.
Industrial Processes and This industry refers to industrial operations and has two parts,
Product Use (IPPU) process industrialization and product utilisation.
Agriculture, Forestry and This sector must be captured for cities that have agricultural and
Other Land Use (AFOLU) forestry areas with sufficient data.
Source: The Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

In order to reconcile the variances among all operations, the source of

GHG emissions released into the atmosphere has been divided into three (3)
scopes, namely Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3. By referring to 2006 IPCC
Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, the GHG values relative to
CO2 sources is:

i. Scope 1: GHG emissions occurring within area boundaries including the

transportation, electricity generation and open burning.
ii. Scope 2: Only for electrical grid purchases from outside the border.
iii. Scope 3: GHG emissions that occur outside the border; activities within the
border such as waste disposal and intercity transport.

Picture 2 Scope-Based Emission Estimation

Source: Garis Panduan Perancangan Bandar Rendah Karbon dan Berdaya Tahan Perubahan Iklim
(PLANMalaysia, 2023)

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The GPC provides a clear GHG reporting system for the entire city. In
the GHG reporting system, cities can report GHG emissions using two
approaches, BASIC or BASIC +. BASIC reporting includes emissions from
stationary energy, transportation (in-boundary), and waste. Meanwhile, BASIC +
reporting includes emissions from stationary energy, transportation (including in-
boubdary and transboundary), waste, IPPU, and AFOLU.

Table 4: Types of Reporting

Types of Reporting Details
BASIC BASIC reporting covers emission sources that occur in most
cities (stationary energy, in-boundary transportation, and in-
boundary generated waste), and methodology estimates and
data are more easily accessible.
BASIC + BASIC+ covers a broader range of GHG emission sources
(source BASIC add IPPU, AFOLU, and transboundary
transportation). However, more difficult data collecting and
calculation is required.
Source: The Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

The IPCC states that there is a hierarchy of tiers for calculating

greenhouse gas emissions. The levels of hierarchy are:

Tier 1: Globally available data with simplifying assumptions

Tier 2: Substituting country-specific value for disaggregated activity data
character
Tier 3: Detailed modelling or inventory measurement system

Hence, the formula for calculating GHG emissions (GPC, 2014).

GHG emissions = Activity data x Emission Factor factor

Activity Data is a quantitative Emission Factor is the

measure of GHG emissions from unit used to convert
activities within a city over a volume to GHG release
specific time period mass

GHG emissions are measured in two types as well as absolute carbon

reduction and intensity carbon reduction. The absolute carbon reduction is the
actual amount of GHG emission, which is easy to detect but difficult to achieve
in accordance with national plan. Meanwhile, intensity carbon reductions are
amount targets on a specific scale, difficult to monitor, and consistent with
national strategy.

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Nurul Hidayah Zawawi, M. Zainora Asmawi & Irina Safitri Zen
The Performance of Kuala Lumpur’s Carbon Emissions in the Context of Urban Planning

Table 5 Types of GHG Emissions Measure

Absolute Carbon Reduction Intensity Carbon Reduction
The actual amount of GHGs Target compared to a certain parameter/scale, such
released as GDP
Easy to monitor or detect More information and more difficult monitoring
Difficult to tie to the national Parallel to the national strategy
strategy
Source: Garis Panduan Perancangan Bandar Rendah Karbon dan Berdaya Tahan Perubahan Iklim
(PLANMalaysia, 2023)

METHODS AND DATA

The GPC framework will be used in calculating Kuala Lumpur's 2019 GHG
emissions. The GPC method for calculating carbon footprints is in line with the
IPCC 2006 standards. There are three (3) sectors that are included in this
calculation which is the stationary energy, transportation and waste sectors.
Emissions from Agricultural, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) and
Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) are not included in this calculation
due to their minimal impact on GHG emissions in Kuala Lumpur. These
exclusions are allowed by IPCC 2006 standards since these emissions have been
identified to be less conducive to mitigation measures, hence their exclusion from
the emission reduction action plan is unlikely to have a significant impact.
Emission scope 1, 2, and 3 includes emission sources such as electric use, fuel
use, and decomposition.

Table 6: Kuala Lumpur GHG Emissions Scope and Sources

Sector Emission Scope Emission Source
Stationary Energy 2 Electricity use
Transportation 1 Fuel use
Waste 3 Decomposition

All activities data occurring within the Kuala Lumpur boundary, which
has a geographical area of 243km2 and a population of 1.78 million people with
GDP RM233,794 million, between January until December 2019, are included in
the GHG emission calculation.

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Picture 3 Map of the Kuala Lumpur City Boundary

Source: Kuala Lumpur City Hall

The capacity to calculate Kuala Lumpur's GHG emissions is strongly

dependent on the quality of data obtained from various data providers. The
Department of Statistics Malaysia was the source of the population, GDP, and
area size data required for the city-wide category. Quantity of power used is the
data type for the stationary energy category, and it comes from Performance &
Statistical Information on the Malaysian power Supply Industry 2019. The data
for the transportation category is available from Kementerian Perdagangan
Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup. The data type is the volume of diesel sold at
petrol stations. The data type for the waste sector is waste tonnage in landfills,
which is provided by Perbadanan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal dan Pembersihan
Awam.

Table 7: Kuala Lumpur GHG Emissions Data Sources

Category Types of Data Source
City-Wide Population, GDP, Area Department of Statistic Malaysia
Size (DOSM, 2023)
Stationary Quantity of electricity Performance & Statistical Information
Energy used (kWh/year) on the Malaysian Electricity Supply
Industry 2019 (Energy Commission,
2022)
Transportation Volume of diesel sold at Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri
petrol stations (litres of dan Kos Sara Hidup (KPDN, 2023)
fuel)

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Nurul Hidayah Zawawi, M. Zainora Asmawi & Irina Safitri Zen
The Performance of Kuala Lumpur’s Carbon Emissions in the Context of Urban Planning

Category Types of Data Source

Waste Tonnage of waste treated Perbadanan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal dan
in landfills (tonnes) Pembersihan Awam (SWCorp, 2023)

There are several emission factors involved in calculating GHG

emissions. The emission factor for stationary energy is based on the Malaysian
Green Technology Corporation (MGTC) Grid Emission Factor (GEF), whereas
the emission factor for transport and waste is based on a report published by the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 2019.

Table 8: GHG Emissions Factor Sources

Sector Emission Factor Source Emissions Factors
Stationary Malaysian Green Technology Tonnes of CO2 produced per
Energy Corporation (MGTC); Grid kWh of electricity consumed
Emission Factor (GEF)
Transportation Department for Environment, Food Kilograms of CO2 produced
& Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 2019 per litre of diesel consumed
Waste Tonnes of CO2 produced per
kilometre travelled

ANALYSIS AND RESULT

Kuala Lumpur’s GHG emissions in 2019 were approximately 15,675 ktCO2eq,
with the stationary energy sector accounting for 12,043 ktCO2eq (76.83%). It was
followed by the transportation sector, which produced 3,180 ktCO2eq (20.29%),
and the waste sector, which produced 452 ktCO2eq (2.88%).

Table 9: Kuala Lumpur GHG Emission for Year 2019

Sector GHG Emission %
Stationary Energy 12,043 ktCO2eq 76.83
Transportation 3,180 ktCO2eq 20.29
Waste 452 ktCO2eq 2.88
Total (ktCO2eq) 15,675 ktCO2eq 100.00

Kuala Lumpur’s 2019 calculation were used Tier 1 and Tier 2 approach
that in line with 2010 baseline method. As a result, in 2019, while the overall
population grew by 6.44%, total GHG emissions decreased by 31.41%. Kuala
Lumpur also managed to reduce GHG emission intensity by 74.07% when
compared to the level in 2010. In 2019, the GHG intensity per capita is also going
to decrease to 35.60%.

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Journal of the Malaysia Institute of Planners (2024)

Table 10: Kuala Lumpur GHG Emission Performance in Year 2019

Description Details
2010 2019
Population Kuala Lumpur (persons) 1,674,621 1,782,500 (+6.44%)
Total GHG Emission (ktCO2eq) 22,852 15,675 (-31.41%)
GDP at constant 2015 price (RM 84,852 233,794
Million)
Emission Intensity of GDP 0.27 0.07 (-74.07%)
(kgCO2e/RM)
Emission Intensity Per Capita 13.65 8.79 (-35.60%)
(tCO2e/capita)

Based on overall GHG emission performance in Kuala Lumpur

compared to the rest of globally and Malaysia level in 2019, Kuala Lumpur
contributes only 0.03% absolute carbon to the rest of the global and 4.74%
absolute carbon to Malaysia. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur's GHG emission
intensity contributed only 0.07 kgCO2eq/RM (30.17%) to Malaysia's total GHG
emission intensity.

Table 11: Overall Kuala Lumpur’s GHG Emission Performance

Item Global Malaysia Kuala Lumpur % KL’s
Carbon
Absolute 59 ± 6.6 330,358.21 Gg 15,675 ktCO2eq Global -
Carbon GtCO2-eq CO2eq 0.03%
(59,000,000 (330,358.21 Malaysia -
ktCO2eq) ktCO2eq) 4.74%
Emission - 0.2320 0.07 30.17%
Intensity of kgCO2eq/RM kgCO2eq/RM
GDP

DISCUSSION
The right GHG emission calculation method is necessary to utilise as a tool in
doing check and balance for justifying the climate effects in reducing emissions
and removals of different GHG sectors, such as for city GHG emission reporting
between the development of mitigation plans for the city. Carbon footprints are
different each country, due to differences in development levels, economic
structure, economic cycle, public infrastructure availability, climate, and
residential lifestyles (Bruckner et al., 2021). It is also possible that different
countries and regions within countries will have different emission patterns as a
result of differences in income, lifestyle, geography, infrastructure, political and
economic status (O’Neill, B.C., 2010). Urban area contributes more emissions
than rural area (Liu et al, 2011). As Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur
generates a lot of activity, which pattern of results in increased GHG emissions.
However, higher density of population is related with lower per capita emissions

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Nurul Hidayah Zawawi, M. Zainora Asmawi & Irina Safitri Zen
The Performance of Kuala Lumpur’s Carbon Emissions in the Context of Urban Planning

(Liddle et al, 2014) (Liu et al, 2017). Beyond from international reporting and
accounting, countries or cities might consider other GHG emission strategies to
assist in achieving of specific policy objectives. A clear calculation assessment
might assist decision-makers in determining the consistency between policy
targets and performance in order to avoid possibly unexpected implications of
alternative strategies. Significant reductions in emissions from all sectors will
necessitate a shift from the pevious priority on important but incremental gains,
such as in the energy sector, to revolutionary changes in energy and feedstock
supply, materials efficiency, and more circular material flows.

CONCLUSION
To combat climate change, immediate actions must be carried out to cut GHG
emissions. Everyone has a role to play to support Kuala Lumpur achieve its
targets for reducing GHG emissions intensity. It is essential to evaluate any target
changes that have occurred since the start of the goal duration to establish whether
the changes are the results of mitigating activities or other reasons, like air
pollution from adjacent borders. Goal achievement will ultimately be measured
using inventory data in the target year. Any difference in emissions must be
tracked in order to determine if Kuala Lumpur is on track to achieve the target
goal. Kuala Lumpur must also work with industry players that have pledged to
reduce carbon intensity by 70% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Kuala Lumpur needs to reduce more absolute carbon to support Malaysia achieve
a 45% reduction in GHG emission intensity by 2030. As a result, the barriers to
a low-carbon transition are not limited to a single category; it includes both
technological and behavioural concerns. Taking on the various components of
the challenges to low-carbon efforts might require a variety of approaches. Kuala
Lumpur will remain a sustainable, vibrant, and liveable city for current and future
generations as a result of carbon reduction initiatives and steps taken to adapt to
the effects of climate change.

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Received: 26th Nov 2023. Accepted: 23rd Jan 2024

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