ENVIRONMENT ACTIVITIES

Sustainable Penang Initiative (SPI)

The Sustainable Penang Initiative was funded by CIDA through the Canada-ASEAN Governance Innovations Network Program (CAGIN), which is co-ordinated by the Institute On Governance (IOG). The SPI is also supported by UNDP and UN ESCAP. The SPI sought to establish a process for public consultation in developing and using sustainable indicators for monitoring the development of Penang. It involved five roundtables that covered ecological sustainability, social justice, economic productivity, cultural vibrancy and popular participation. Additional roundtables were also held to encourage more input from the Malay and Chinese communities. At the final People's Forum, report cards identifying the key indicators were presented to the Government and the public. Click here for more information on the project.

Sustainable Transport Environment Penang (STEP)

The Sustainable Transport Environment Penang (STEP), another spin-off of the SPI, is a focal point of the Sustainable Transport Action Network. STEP intends to promote environmental-friendly and affordable access to all. Funded by the Royal Netherlands Embassy, STEP has embarked on a cycling study to identify and demarcate cycling paths in Penang, in close co-operation with the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP).

Water Watch Penang (WWP)

Water Watch Penang (WWP) was established after concerns over Penang's water quality and availability, as well as flooding problems, were raised during SPI roundtables. WWP aims to promote research, public awareness and education on water resources. Working in partnership with the Penang Water Supply Corporation and various authorities, WWP hopes that Penang will have better management plans in the future and that the citizens of Penang will learn to treasure their water resources. Click here for more information on this project.

Green Productivity

Together with the National Productivity Corporation, SERI co-organized a training workshop on green productivity to identify ways to save costs and minimize wastes, and to improve productivity. SERI plans to promote the green productivity concept to more industries in Penang.

Management Board of Botanic Gardens

SERI was invited to be a member of the Management Board of the Penang Botanic Gardens to provide input in developing and maintaining the Gardens based on environmentally sound principles, and is currently involved in finding ways to address the problems caused by the feeding of monkeys in the vicinity.