In granting any planning permission, local authorities may impose certain terms and conditions that the construction of the buildings must comply with. These terms and conditions may make reference to the energy efficiency requirements under the UBBL (as discussed in the section on “Energy Performance Certificates and Minimum Energy Standards” above). It is incumbent upon the architect and engineer to ensure that these conditions are complied with before a Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) is issued for the building.
In 2023, Federal Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia) issued the Planning Guidelines on Low Carbon and Climate Change Resilient Cities (Guidelines), in line with the NLCCM 2021 in supporting the government's commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Guidelines should be read in conjunction with the law and regulations, and the implementation of these planning guidelines needs to be coordinated with the development plan that is currently in effect in the respective area under the purview of each local authority.
The Guidelines suggest, among others, the following proposed management and implementation mechanisms, to enhance the planning of low-carbon urban development in Malaysia:
1. Suggested improvements to the preparation of local plans and sector content (scope of low-carbon and climate-change-resilient cities), including the following, among others:
- Mobilization and preparation of a draft local plan should consider the needs of low-carbon and climate-change-resilient elements
- Preparation of greenhouse gas inventory
- Consideration of suggestions from low-carbon expert consultants
2. Proposal for the establishment of a special unit related to low carbon and climate change within local authorities