Latest news with #EnvironmentalImpactAssessments
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
World Environment Day: Role of Project Management in Environmental Stewardship
January 2025 was the warmest year since record-keeping began, highlighting that climate change is not only palpable but also accelerating. Combating climate change requires global action, including adopting sustainable practices and transitioning to green technologies. Project managers, the beating heart of projects big and small, are crucial to this ongoing transition. They help maximise project success to elevate the world. Mr. Amit Goyal , Managing Director for South Asia at PMI , shared his insights on the pivotal role of project managers in advancing sustainability and combating climate change. With his extensive experience in fostering impactful collaborations across industries, he highlighted how project professionals can drive green initiatives, ensuring environmental stewardship while shaping large-scale infrastructure projects that align with global sustainability goals. The Heart of Every Project Project managers are at the core of every project. They coordinate the efforts of dozens, and often thousands of professionals and workers. They manage project timelines, procurement, budgeting, and more. Their position gives them the unique responsibility and opportunity to ensure projects are completed in the most sustainable manner and with minimum impact on the environment. Projects Begin with Project Managers A project manager skilled in environmental stewardship takes ownership of a project before anyone else. For instance, most projects, particularly those involving infrastructure, begin with an environmental assessment. A project manager makes this assessment by identifying potential environmental risks and impacts the project may have. Project managers use different sources and methods for this analysis, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), Environmental Risk Registers, Environmental Checklists, and Environmental Audits. Compliance, Regulations, and Stakeholders Following an environmental assessment, the manager handles compliance and regulations. Managers ensure the project complies with environmental laws, regulations, and standards. In addition, they obtain the necessary permits and certificates. Subsequently, they develop an environmental management plan (EMP) outlining specific measures to mitigate a project's environmental impact. They also engage with key stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, and environmental groups. By engaging and working with stakeholders, they address concerns and incorporate feedback to ensure the project meets everyone's expectations. Since project managers oversee so many professionals and workers, they're also responsible for imparting training to others working alongside them. A project manager's expertise proves invaluable, helping mitigate a project's environmental impact as much as possible. And since project managers are the nucleus of every project, they constantly receive information, including real-time data flows, concerning an initiative's environmental impact. They monitor this data, verifying everything remains within environmental targets, which is vital for continuous improvement and accountability. In India, project managers have assessed the environmental impact of major projects, including the Bangalore Metro Rail Project and the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Project. They've also undertaken an EIA of the Nagpur Metro Rail Project by evaluating the effect of construction and traffic congestion on the city's air quality. The Kochi Metro underwent a similar assessment. Demand for Project Managers Skilled in Environmental Stewardship As the fight against climate change continues alongside ambitious infrastructure projects, the demand for project managers skilled in environmental stewardship will continue to grow. The Indian government has vast infrastructure projects underway and in the pipeline. For instance, the Bharatmala Pariyojana envisions completing 26,000 kilometres of economic corridors and will transform logistics in India. Project managers with expertise in environmental stewardship will continue to play a vital role in this project for years. Project management professionals will also be needed to reduce the environmental impact of the ambitious bullet train project connecting Mumbai to Ahmedabad. Other massive projects, including the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, will also need project managers skilled in environmental stewardship. Furthermore, as the AI race heats up worldwide, demand for project managers skilled in sustainability will continue accelerating. Realising the Potential of AI Project managers will achieve the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), and help reach the goal of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Globally, there's a headlong race to build data centres to reach AGI before rival powers. The enormous computational demands of AI mean leading nations are building vast data centres, each requiring enormous energy. According to experts, the US alone needs 90 Gigawatts (GW) of additional power for data centres. To put this number into perspective, 1 GW is roughly equivalent to an entire city's energy needs. India has ambitious plans to build a 10 GW data centre. These massive facilities must be built and powered sustainably, necessitating the need for environmentally astute project managers. Certified Project Management Professionals In an era where economic growth and sustainability are inseparable, certified project management professionals with expertise in environmental stewardship will remain essential. They'll bridge the divide between robust growth and safeguarding nature. For Indian youth and professionals, the ongoing construction of infrastructure projects, data centres and supporting structures, coupled with the transition to sustainable technologies, presents an enormous opportunity. By acquiring a project management certification that trains them to balance growth while safeguarding nature, India's youth and professionals can put their careers on a higher growth trajectory. Moreover, in a rapidly growing economy like India, demand for such experts will remain upbeat for decades in multiple arenas, making project management a long, rich, and financially rewarding career. Conclusion: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Project Management Project management has evolved beyond traditional metrics of time, cost, and scope to embrace environmental stewardship as a core responsibility. As climate challenges intensify, project managers stand at the forefront of implementing sustainable solutions across sectors. By acquiring project management certification that trains them to balance growth while safeguarding nature, professionals can position themselves for career advancement while contributing meaningfully to environmental preservation. In rapidly growing economies like India, demand for such experts will remain strong for decades across multiple sectors, making project management with an environmental focus a long, rich, and financially rewarding career path. The future of our planet increasingly depends on project managers who can deliver results while protecting our shared environmental heritage.
Malaysia Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Can ASEAN build a sustainable data centre future? Malaysian legal lessons may offer a wake-up call
Southeast Asia is embracing a digital revolution. With the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and cloud computing, the region is now home to some of the most ambitious data centre developments in the world. But while digital technology is transforming Southeast Asia's economy, ASEAN's legal and regulatory systems remain stuck in the pre-digital era. This raises a critical question: Can ASEAN truly build a sustainable, resilient data centre industry without modernising its laws? Malaysia offers a vivid case in point. In 2024, Malaysia attracted more than US$23.3 billion in data centre investments from Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services. These investments are seen as driving Malaysia's modern digital economy. This new development is set to place Malaysia firmly in place as Southeast Asia's tech hub. However, while the infrastructure may be cutting-edge, the laws behind it are far from ready. Here where the problems lie: 1. Malaysia's National Land Code (Revised 2020)-which governs zoning, land use planning, land administration and registration, was drafted in a time when the concept of data centres didn't even exist - The law gives state and land authorities greater power than the planning authority over conditions and restrictions. 2. The Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) gives local planning authorities wide control, even over the technical professional agencies such as the Department of Environment, Department of Public Works, Department of Irrigation and Drainage and Department of Mineral and Geoscience creating approval bottlenecks and confusion for developers. Bypassing the process can result in fines or demolition. This law needs a revision to better reflect today's planning priorities and public needs. Today, investors may encounter regulatory challenges in Johor, as evidenced by the state's recent rejection of nearly 30% of data centre applications to conserve water and electricity. 3. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), as required under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127), are critical for large-scale developments, including data centres which have potential environmental impact. While enforcement is generally consistent, challenges can arise in ensuring compliance across all projects due to weak oversight and different standards or interpretations from one state to another in Malaysia. 4. Data centres must also meet 1974 and 1984 rules on street, drainage, building and fire safety to be sustainable and operationally safe. Ongoing commitments to modernise these regulations cater to the evolving needs of contemporary infrastructure, public needs and national aspirations. 5. The Planning Guidelines for Data Centres introduced in 2024 to address the environmental shortcomings, provide clearer direction on land use, energy, and water requirements- but they remain advisory and are not legally binding. Worse still, it cannot overcome the country's dual governance structure, where federal and state authorities often work in silos-especially on administrative matters-due to how powers are divided under the Federal Constitution. The conflicting legal environment has caused uncertainty for investors, bottlenecks for regulators and developers, and extra economic costs. For the public, this can mean slower progress in building digital infrastructure, which affects internet speed, access to services, and job opportunities in the tech industry. Other ASEAN countries face similar problems. Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines struggle with fragmented regulations, outdated zoning laws, and weak environmental oversight. This concern is highlighted in the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025, which warns that without legal and regulatory reform, ASEAN could fall behind in the global digital race. Similarly, the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 calls for predictable, transparent, and harmonised regulations to attract infrastructure investments. Yet progress has been glacial. The ASEAN Smart Cities Framework also calls for more sustainable digital infrastructure. It urges member states to break down bureaucratic silos by adopting cross-sector governance models. The ASEAN Environmental Rights Framework is starting to promote environmental fairness in infrastructure planning-including data centres. But these regional policies will only work if member states are fully committed to enforcing them. Without this, they remain aspirational rather than actionable. Singapore has enforced sustainability through its Code for Environmental Sustainability of Buildings, adapting cooling systems to tropical climates. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi uses the Estidama Pearl Rating System, ensuring high energy and water efficiency in all large-scale developments. These examples show that sustainable data centres are possible-but only with clear rules, strong enforcement, and cooperation across all levels of government. So, what can ASEAN do? First, ASEAN should align its laws on land administration, planning, environment, and construction to make it easier for data systems to connect across borders and attract international investment. This would help ASEAN move closer to the goals set in the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint. Second, countries like Malaysia and Indonesia need better coordination between federal/central, state and local governments to accelerate land approvals and give investors more clarity. Third, ASEAN could create shared sustainability standards for data centres, linking them to its land use planning and environmental rights goals and aligning them with global ESG benchmarks. Data centres are fast becoming the beating heart of ASEAN's digital economy. But this heart cannot be supported by legal frameworks that belong to a bygone era. If ASEAN wants a truly sustainable digital future, it needs laws that balance growth, environmental concerns, and public interests. If ASEAN learns from Malaysia's experience, it could become a global model for smart, sustainable digital infrastructure. But ignoring these lessons could lead to long-term costs-for its people, investors, and the environment.
Borneo Post
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Nik Nazmi resigns as Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister
In a statement, Nik Nazmi said he had submitted his letter of resignation as a member of the Cabinet to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (May 28): Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has resigned as Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, effective July 4. In a statement, Nik Nazmi said he had submitted his letter of resignation as a member of the Cabinet to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'I will be on leave from tomorrow until July 3,' he said. Nik Nazmi said that since his appointment to the Cabinet as Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change in December 2022 and subsequently as Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, he had done his best to implement much-needed reforms. He said the achievements of both ministries included amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) and enhanced transparency in the reporting of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). Nik Nazmi said that his failure to retain the vice-president post in the recent Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) election prompted his decision to resign as minister. 'I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the dedicated civil servants, my outstanding office team, and all those from the public sector, private sector, and civil society who taught me so much and made it possible to implement various important reforms throughout this period. 'We consistently sought to adopt an open and consultative approach in formulating policies and introducing legislation,' he said. Nik Nazmi failed to retain his PKR vice-presidency in a highly competitive contest featuring 11 candidates last week. – Bernama Cabinet minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad pkr resign
Daily Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Nik Nazmi resigns as Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: KUALA LUMPUR: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has resigned as Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, effective July 4. In a statement, Nik Nazmi said he had submitted his letter of resignation as a member of the Cabinet to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'I will be on leave from tomorrow until July 3,' he said. Nik Nazmi said that since his appointment to the Cabinet as Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change in December 2022 and subsequently as Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, he had done his best to implement much-needed reforms. He said the achievements of both ministries included amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) and enhanced transparency in the reporting of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). Nik Nazmi said that his failure to retain the vice-president post in the recent Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) election prompted his decision to resign as minister. Advertisement 'I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the dedicated civil servants, my outstanding office team, and all those from the public sector, private sector, and civil society who taught me so much and made it possible to implement various important reforms throughout this period. 'We consistently sought to adopt an open and consultative approach in formulating policies and introducing legislation,' he said. Nik Nazmi failed to retain his PKR vice-presidency in a highly competitive contest featuring 11 candidates last week. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Land Code amendment ‘timely' in protecting Sarawak's natural wealth
Wong Soon Koh. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 20): The Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025 is a timely measure to safeguard Sarawak's natural wealth while balancing economic development and environmental protection, said Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. He expressed his firm support for the amendment, but noted concerns raised by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen over Clause 3, which introduces harsher penalties for those found extracting, removing or transporting rock materials without a valid licence. However, Wong brought up Clause 4 of the Bill, which empowers the Director of Lands and Surveys to issue licences for the export of rock materials from Sarawak. 'In doing so, we must ensure that resource extraction contributes meaningfully to the state's economy, while also maintaining environmental sustainability and our long-term sovereignty over Sarawak's natural wealth,' he said when debating the amendment Bill in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today. Wong pointed out that rock materials such as granite, limestone, silica sand, kaolin clay and even rare earth elements were of high commercial value domestically and internationally. He said given their depletable nature, he urged that exports be tightly regulated and aligned with Sarawak's constitutional right to manage its own land and resources under Article 95B(3) of the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'Once these materials are gone, they are gone forever. That's why we must set annual limits on how much can be extracted and exported.' Thus, he stressed that all exports must be licensed and subject to strict Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), with operators held accountable for rehabilitation and pollution control. In addition, he proposed that a special resource fund be established, financed through export duties and royalties, to support infrastructure development and environmental conservation. Wong also advocated for exploring local processing of certain rock materials before export, as part of Sarawak's push for downstream industries, which would help generate employment and spur domestic economic growth. 'Before every licence is issued, we must assess whether the rock material can be processed locally. This would create value-add opportunities and benefit our local communities.' Emphasising the need for effective enforcement, Wong called for stringent monitoring mechanisms to track the movement of rock materials and to clamp down on illegal mining and exports. 'The Land Code (Amendment) Bill represents a significant step in asserting Sarawak's control over its land resources. If implemented responsibly, the export of rock materials can yield long-term benefits for the people of Sarawak today and for future generations,' he said.
