A badge of honour to recognise water-saving efforts

Published in Malaysiakini.com

In recent years, environmental buzzwords such as green consumerism, green products, green business and green economy have been discussed amongst the business community. Increasingly, more and more people have come to the realisation that sustainable development is no longer a choice but a way of life in many aspects of our society.

The business community is seeking engagement in green activities through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. Penang is relatively developed in terms of business and industrial activities.

Leading companies from multinational corporations and hoteliers have taken initiatives to cultivate a green image for their organisations. One reason is that our exporters are forced to comply with the more stringent standards and requirements of the overseas market.

Last week, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng presented the Penang state government and Penang Water Supply Corporation's (PBA) 'carrot-and-stick' approach towards water conservation efforts. Under the scheme, a penalty is imposed on those who uses excessive water whilst allowing those who don't to continue to enjoy the lowest water tariffs in Malaysia.

Penang currently subsidises RM41 million per year to maintain the lowest water tariffs in the country. It's domestic consumers currently use an average of 286 litres of water per person per day, far exceeding the UN recommendation of 165 litres per person per day.

The state government hopes that the water conservation penalty surcharge will help to reduce the daily consumption to 233 litres per day.

Apart from the proposed Water Conservation Surcharge, both parties have also introduced a water efficiency excellence certification programme named 'Aqua Save'. The latter is designed to recognise water-friendly organisations.

'Aqua Save' not only encourages the applicants to look into water efficiency approaches but also emphasises on how they engage their staff and workers. The hope is that water conservation efforts will eventually translate into money-saving exercises and benefit society in general.

The eco-labelling scheme first started in Germany around three decades ago as more businesses found that a green image and green approaches to business can generate revenue. In order to prevent 'greenwashing' in the market, more and more eco-labels have been imposed on products and services by the authorities in developed countries.

In Singapore, business groups are encouraged to apply for eco-labels such as Singapore Green Label and Eco-office label. Instead of getting back cash awards, the applicant has to pay a certain amount in application fees. Certified bodies has not only proved their efficiency in managing their resources but also shown their commitment towards the environment – and worn it as a badge of honour by printing the award logo on their products, name cards, newsletter and signboards.

As an eco-label, it is timely that Penang Aqua Save is being introduced to organisations that have shown commitment to water conservation efforts and green initiatives as even the federal government is putting emphasis on promoting eco-labelling systems in the 10th Malaysia Plan.

Our society needs reputable, credible and internationally recognized eco-labels so that both the business community and the consumers will be promoted and protected. Such an eco-labelling scheme would create new economic opportunities, whether directly or indirectly.

If the National Water Services Commission (Span) utilised their resources and laboratories, as well as certified the water-saving devices manufactured locally, this would definitely help the manufacturers in promoting their products.

The writer is special assistant to the chief minister of Penang