KUALA LUMPUR, 26 September - The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia’s premier purpose-built venue, formalises a sustainability partnership with the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), a research institution established by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding earlier today. 

The partnership was formed with both parties aiming to 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.

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

General Manager of the Centre, John Burke, said that, “In line with our 2030 and 2050 sustainability targets, our collaboration with UKM’s SERI is another important step in our sustainability journey. 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.”

Professor Dato’ Dr. Wan Kamal Mujani, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia shared that, “We, at UKM through SERI, are delighted to partner with the Centre, a leading player in the hospitality and events industry. This partnership is a significant step for us in driving sustainable development and promoting the adoption of clean energy solutions. Through this, 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.”

The assessment will be conducted by a team of researchers from SERI, led by Associate Professor Dr. Norasikin Ahmad Ludin, 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. 

In line with its commitment to net-zero carbon events, the Centre recently announced that it has achieved a pioneering subscription to the Green Electricity Tariff (GET), an innovative and transformative 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.

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