A GREEN strategy approach tailored to suit the country's construction industry is expected to be developed at an upcoming carbon neutral conference. This is in line with the Prime Minister's commitment for a 40 per cent Greenhouse gas reduction by 2020.
Among the suggestions that will be put forward are to encourage buildings to incorporate solar panels, water harvesting and other shading materials, monitor earth work, cutting and replanting initiatives.
"We hope buildings will incorporate as many solar panels to harness solar energy because this is the way forward in doing our part to curb the global warming," said Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Human Settlement (Earoph) Malaysia deputy president and Rehda Institute chairman of the board of trustee, Datuk Eddy Chen Lok Loi, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Rehda, Earoph Green Technology Innovation and Sime Darby Property are jointly organising Malaysia's first carbon neutral real estate conference: "The Green Solutions Property Conference 2010", which will be held on April 6 in Kuala Lumpur.
It will also explore various means and measures the industry can adopt to play a more active role in being more environmentally responsible.
Chen said the conference is timely and vital to Malaysia's building industry.
He hopes that it will be a platform for participants to share their experience and knowledge in the pursuit to meet the international sustainability standards.
Man U, TM sign deal
MANCHESTER: Telekom Malaysia Bhd and English football champions Manchester United yesterday announced a five-year agreement uniting the two brands in marketing campaigns and promotional activities.
The agreement makes TM the "official integrated telecommunications partner" of Manchester United in Malaysia.
It was signed at the football club's Old Trafford stadium grounds yesterday.
Representing TM was its group chief executive officer Datuk Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa while Manchester United chief executive officer David Gill signed on behalf of the club.
Present were team manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United commercial director Richard Arnold and TM group marketing vice-president Sherene Azura Azli.
The deal enables TM to exercise various licensing rights, intellectual property (IP) and dealership rights to produce and distribute selected merchandise bearing the Manchester United crest and team images.
The mood was jubilant as both parties celebrated the victory of the Red Devils against Italian football giants AC Milan the previous night, earning them a spot in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.
Zamzamzairani described the partnership as "a union of two great brands".
"Just like Manchester United, winning and being the best at what we are at is our business, and that is why we believe this partnership will benefit both entities.
"This agreement also goes to show that anything is possible when we connect, communicate and collaborate," he said.
Zamzamzairani said TM would work with a marketing team from the club to "develop innovative ideas to support the partnership".
TM customers will get the opportunity to win trips to Man-chester to watch the team in action.
TM customers will also get access to rich football content associated with the Red Devils such as the latest news, MUTV online, fan videos, team profiles and an online contest.
"Anyone who went on our tour of the Far East last summer knows the strength of feeling Malaysians have for the club.
"More than 40,000 people attended our training session and 60,000 came to the second match in Kuala Lumpur, despite only having 48 hours' notice of the fixture," said Gill.
"We know this partnership will help the Club to speak to the millions of fans in Malaysia and we are delighted that a company as reputable as Telekom Malaysia has developed from the sponsor of our tour match into a full-fledged partner." -- NST
