Exco Tan Chen Choon, Chairman of State Local Government, Urban Wellbeing and Environment Committee presented the highest award to Kerry Ingredient (M) Sdn Bhd, followed by three ‘Special Mention awards to Merlin Entertainments Studios (M) Sdn Bhd (Industry category), Seri Austin Sales Gallery and Office (Building category) and ‘The Seed’ residential development in Tanah Sutera (Township category).
“GAIA is a valuable initiative and recognition tool which is needed by the property market towards going green as the aim is to achieve 70% certified green buildings by 2025 in Iskandar Malaysia.”
“GAIA can help Johor State localise the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, at the same time, combat the impact of climate change and global warming. I hope GAIA, which IRDA pioneered in Malaysia, can be expanded to whole Johor as soon as possible, “said Tan.
Kerry Ingredient (M) Sdn Bhd based in Johor is also the winner of the Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award on environmental sustainability programme in 2017. Kerry Ingredient received their GAIA recognition due to its strong green features and practices, which are central to the whole operation and maintenance of the factory.
They have formed a dedicated “Green Team” that focuses on driving their plant into a sustainable and energy efficiency path. They invest a lot in high technologies to further cut down carbon emission, which they tract on a regular basis, for their facility. This system is aided by their systematic reporting and monitoring system, and managed by a group of dedicated staff.
Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive of Iskandar Regional Development Authority said, “Getting recognition and being awarded for GAIA is not an easy achievement as the recipients are assessed rigorously by an independent panel of judges. One part of the assessment is the site inspection which is critical to ensure that the written submission tallies with what is found at the premises”.
GAIA serves as a soft incentive scheme to recognise and honour the market players in contributing towards green building design and green built environment, and at the same time contribute to reducing greenhouse gases emissions (GHG).
“At this memorable occasion, I would like to introduce a special and additional incentive for the 3rd GAIA eligible and special mention recipients as well as the shortlisted candidates. The incentive is through a global fund which will be facilitated by IRDA.”
“The United National Industrial Development (UNIDO) programme can explore subsidy funding to upgrade you project with energy efficiency and renewable energy features include solar thermal generation as well as capacity building programmes to further reduce your greenhouse gases (GHG) emission and carbon footprint,” concluded Datuk Ismail.
