Planning Strategic Sustainable Development in Malaysia by Incorporating the Concept of Low Carbon Society

Malaysia has undergone rapid urbanization and economic growth for past decades and is expected to continue to have an average economic grow at 5%-6% per annum in the next five years. This phenomenon of growth and pursuit of socio-economic progress has great impact not only on the economy but also on community life style and environment. The concept of sustainable development was adopted by Malaysia government as early as mid 1990s to address some of the emerging environmental issues and more specifically on climate change issues recently. Malaysia government announced a commitment of voluntary 40% reduction in CO2 emission intensity by 2020 during the Conference of Party （COP15） meeting in Copenhagen in 2009. In parallel to this commitment of CO2 emission reduction, the concept of sustainable development in urban planning should incorporate a more comprehensive and quantitative approach in the preparation of development plan as well as in exercising the routine development control practice at the local planning authority. This paper prepares a quantitative scenario study on the establishment of low carbon society in Iskandar Malaysia.

Low Carbon Society in China: Research and Practice

This paper aims to provide an overall image in terms of low carbon society （LCS） and its development in China. It mainly introduced and analyzed low carbon development which was addressed as crucial initiative for implementation of LCS in China. A comparative analysis was carried out on concepts and experiences of LCS between China and developed countries. The trends and characteristics of CO2 emissions in China have also been analyzed. Because of large amount of CO2 emissions generated in the production process and relatively small amount of CO2 emissions in the consumption process, China is facing a severe challenge of imbalance in economic growth and CO2 emissions. If the consumption and production pattern of developed countries are duplicated, China is very likely to experience a development pattern of boosting economic growth and improving living standards significantly but meanwhile risking and suffering by large amount of resources consumption and CO2 emissions. Thus, a comprehensive, systematic and scientific scheme for implementing a low carbon society is urgently needed in China. Through literature research, mainstream perspectives of scholars with respect to development of LCS are concluded. In the meantime, CO2 emissions reduction target, carbon taxation and different debated issues are also presented. The achievements, China has rflade, consist of concrete actions taken by local governments, some new policies and regulations for carbon reduction at national level, in particular energy-saving and renewable energy policies proposed in the l lth Five-Year Plan （2005-2010）. Carbon trading markets and carbon capture and starage technology have also made progress in China. There are still many limitations and barriers remaining and in need to be solved in the next steps.

Low Carbon Society

After 13 days’ negotiation,the UN Climate Change Conference held in Cancun,Mexico,reached modest but promising pledges to cut greenhouse gas emission and to provide fund for developing countries to fight against climate change.The agreements rescued the 20-year climate negotiations from what appeared to be imminent collapse after the Copenhagen talks ended in recrimination.