DETERMINING LOW CARBON CITY (LCC) INDICATORS FOR GOVERNANCE AT LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

The Low Carbon City (LCC) concept has been introduced previously in Malaysian urban development and practice. Through the Low Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF), the Malaysian government has accordingly delineated local authorities’ targets for achieving zero carbon status. However, to achieve smooth governance of LCC delivery, it is essential to ensure that institutional approaches are well-practised and administered. Nevertheless, what are the key elements that can be a guide for LCC governance in local government? Thus, this paper aims to establish the indicators applicable to LCC in governance and practice at local government. This study, therefore, employed a qualitative method with a purposive sampling approach, using the technique of in-depth interviews consisting of three (3) local authorities practising low carbon efforts, and also employed thematic analysis for secondary data. This study showed that LCC governance could be operative considering several important indicators for practice. The findings found that the LCC indicators are substantial for the local authority in delivering LCC initiatives, as well as the challenges faced by the local government in restructuring the institutional framework to achieve better governance practices. The study outcome, therefore, can be a reference to local government when implementing LCC initiatives through a better governance approach