Policy Development for Clean Energy Technology

 

SDG 7.4.4

Local

In recent years, economist Kate Raworth’s concept of the Doughnut Economy has gained recognition as a model for sustainable development, offering a framework that seeks to balance human needs with the planet's ecological limits. This model envisions a world where societal well-being is aligned with environmental sustainability.

The Doughnut Economy is visually represented by a doughnut shape: the inner ring signifies the social foundations necessary for human well-being—such as health, education, and equity—while the outer ring represents the ecological ceiling, beyond which environmental harm occurs, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The area between these two rings is where a fair and sustainable society can flourish.

Launched in March 2023 with funding from Yayasan Hasanah, the Ipoh Doughnut Economics Programme is a collaborative initiative involving Sunway University’s Sunway Centre for Planetary Health (SCPH), Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR), People of Remarkable Talent (PORT), and Ipoh City Council (MBI). The program seeks to transform Ipoh into a "Doughnut City" focused on sustainable development, an approach endorsed by Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah of Perak and other senior state leaders who see the framework’s principles as aligning with Perak’s broader vision. The initiative also includes clean energy and energy-efficient technology policy development as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, as in the doughnut’s outer ring.

SCPH Executive Director Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood noted that this achievement reflects Sunway University's commitment to planetary health and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the university's role as a “Campus with a Conscience” that actively promotes sustainable solutions and cultivates responsible global citizens. 

 

Regional

One of the highlights in 2023 was the winning of the ASEAN Strategic Grant Scheme 2023 through a project titled “Waste Valorization Tackling Carbon Emissions in ASEAN”. This collaborative project involves Professor Mohamed Kheireddine from Sunway University and researchers from other 3 institutions, namely King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (Thailand), University of Indonesia (Indonesia) and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Brunei).  

The project proposed to use solid waste (biomass, food waste, plastic waste ) as renewable source of CO2 capture and conversion agents. This will help to address simultaneously the issue of solid waste in ASEAN as well as to tackle carbon emissions. The project will be executed through 5 interrelated sub-projects focusing on areas in line with Sunway University niche area on Planetary Health, Malaysian Government strategies outlined in the 12th Malaysian Plan, 10:10 MySTIE and Shared Prosperity Vision 2030. The sub-projects also address SDG7, SDG12, SDG13, and SDG17.  

The project is expected to generate the following:  

  • Talent Development: At least 2 PhD graduates, at least 2 FYP students and interns.  
  • High impact publications: at least 8 articles in Q1/Q2 journals  
  • 1 Policy paper ✓ At least RM 500,000 of external funding.  
  • At least 3 MOUs/MOAs.  
  • A 5 years action plan for the establishment of a Consortium/Hub  

The long-term goal is the establishment of a self-sustained ASEAN research consortium/ hub tackling simultaneously 2 critical issues in the region, namely Waste and Carbon Emissions.

 

National

Malaysia’s vision to become a progressive and prosperous nation by 2030 includes adopting peaceful nuclear technology as a driver of socio-economic development. The National Nuclear Technology Policy 2021-2030 establishes a framework to harness nuclear technology for key focus areas that deliver long-term national benefits.  

This policy serves as a guide for advancing the peaceful applications of nuclear technology, aiming to maximize current technologies and explore next-generation nuclear applications with significant socio-economic impact. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, included participation from the Sunway Institute for Global Strategy and Competitiveness (IGSC) and others. For more information on the policy, click the side button.

View more on the National Nuclear Technology Policy 2021-2030

View the National Nuclear Technology Policy 2021-2030

View the Action Plan for National Nuclear Technology Policy 2021-2030

 

Global

From 27 February to 2 March 2024, Distinguished Professor David Andrew Bradley, Head of the Research Centre for Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies at Sunway University, participated in a meeting in Doha with fellow members of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) for Qatar’s national research institute, QEERI. Tasked with supporting Qatar in addressing critical challenges in energy, water, and environmental sustainability, QEERI is recognized as a leading research institute in the Middle East, emphasizing research excellence, real-world impact, expert collaboration, advanced facilities, and capacity building.

The SAC’s role includes reviewing QEERI’s achievements in alignment with its mission, advising on future initiatives, and providing guidance on the institute’s research quality, direction, and scope. This collaboration contributes to policy development by shaping strategic research priorities and impactful initiatives to address Qatar’s national and regional challenges.

View News on Prof. Bradley as Member of Scientific Advisory Committee to QEERI