KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu City Hall is confident that it can make the state capital climate resilient and carbon neutral by 2060.
The projection is based on the Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Report for Kota Kinabalu Climate Change Actions 2024-2030.
Between 2017 and 2018, the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from community activities and government operations here amounted to 2.51 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
"This translates to an average per capita GHG emission of 4.20 tonnes of CO2e, which is lower than Malaysia's per capita GHG emission of 8.53 tonnes of CO2e for 2016.
"Based on this trend and assuming a similar growth rate and climate actions, Kota Kinabalu aims to further reduce per capita emissions."
The local authority is aiming to mitigate climate change through several actions.
Among them are sustainable urban design practices, sustainable energy, protection for parks and biodiversity regions, and street design to promote mobility for pedestrians, which could reduce the use of vehicles.
Carbon emission reduction projects include the installation of a solar photovoltaic system at bus stations and government buildings, contributing to Malaysia's goal of achieving 18 per cent clean energy generation by 2030.
City Hall is considering integrating bus terminals, improving taxi stands, setting up e-hailing drop-off points, using energy-efficient streetlights, and implementing energy-efficient buildings.
Up to last month, six buildings have received green building certification: Sabah Art Gallery & Conservation Centre, Shell Plaza, Wisma Manikar, Harrington Suites, Bay 21 and Hyatt Centric KK.