KUALA LUMPUR: With Malaysia's thriving construction sector contributing RM53.44 billion to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, the call to increase sustainable practices and reduce carbon footprints grows louder as the impact of climate change intensifies.
According to the head of the department of chemical and environmental engineering at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia, Professor Dominic C.Y. Foo, the safe boundary of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration on planet Earth should be kept at 350 parts per million (ppm).
However, recorded data reveals that Malaysia had high peak CO2 concentrations, reaching 417 ppm in May 2020, according to Qube Integrated Malaysia (QIM) Sdn Bhd.
Considering the increasing population and economic development in Malaysia, a complete cessation of construction is unrealistic, the company said in a statement.
The integration of sustainability measures, such as securing green certifications for projects and using eco-friendly materials, offers a promising avenue to mitigate the environmental impact.
Recognising this, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) will have open forums centred around the theme "Leading ESG in Construction" at the International Construction Transformation Conference 2023 (ICTC 2023) and BuildXpo 2023 next month at MITEC Kuala Lumpur, in conjunction with the International Construction Week 2023.
BuildXpo 2023 remains committed to its mission of promoting sustainability, innovation, and ESG practices in the construction industry, said QIM chairman Richard Teo.
"This impressive lineup of open forums is a testament to our dedication to providing a platform for learning, collaboration, and growth in pursuit of a greener and more sustainable future," he said.
ICTC will feature a host of local and international industry captains sharing building and construction best practices and innovations aligned to the ESG framework.
These include topics on ESG: The Public Listed Companies Transformation Programme by Bursa Malaysia, Sustainable Finance Initiatives by leading banking institutions, and case studies on sustainable infrastructures such as Kota Seribu Galur in Indonesia and The Meydan Project in Dubai.
The forums will also feature case studies from the oil and gas sector (Topic: Offshore Facilities Load Out: Case Study of Jacket Superstructure Loadout by Strand Jacking Skidding Method by Petronas engineers) and examine disruptive technology innovations in the field.
Flood-resistant housing and its versatility and durability in the face of climate impact is another topic set to facilitate engaging discourse during the Wood Plastic Composite-Construction of Flood House session.