From 4th to 5th December 2024, Water Watch Penang (WWP) was privileged to participate in the 2nd Sustainability and ESG Conference 2024, organized by the Electrical & Electronics Productivity Nexus (EEPN) and the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA). WWP hosted an exhibition at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre throughout the event, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on the first day and from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on the second day. In addition to the exhibition, WWP was also invited to deliver a presentation on the second day of the conference.
Dr. Hong Chern Wern, Executive Manager of WWP, was one of six speakers in the parallel session “Responsible Consumption and Production – Every Drop Counts, Penang Water Challenges”. His presentation focused on water conservation, sustainability, and the critical water-related challenges faced by Penang.
WWP’s booth was staffed by Ms. Fatin and Ms. Atiqah (Education Officers), Mr. Yee Jean Chai (Project Assistant), and Ms. Chan Yi Ying (Intern). The booth aimed to educate the public about WWP’s mission and Penang’s water issues through interactive quizzes, presentations, banners, and videos. To engage visitors, WWP organized an educational “lucky draw” in which participants who answered quiz questions correctly received WWP merchandise, including notebooks, keychains, or water-saving kits sponsored by Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP). Additionally, a survey on “Water Tariff and Consumption in Penang” was conducted, with participants receiving a WWP mug as a token of appreciation.
Dr. Hong’s presentation during the parallel session addressed Penang’s water challenges, including high domestic water consumption, over-reliance on treated water for non-essential uses, and the growing impacts of climate change. He highlighted PBAPP’s current water demand management initiatives, such as public awareness campaigns and infrastructure improvements. Dr. Hong emphasized the importance of water efficiency, particularly for industrial sectors, aligning such efforts with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.
To address these challenges, Dr. Hong proposed strategies grounded in a circular economy approach. These included promoting rainwater harvesting systems in schools and institutions to reduce dependence on treated water, encouraging the adoption of water-saving technologies (e.g., efficient taps and dual-flush systems), and enhancing stakeholder engagement through education and incentives. These strategies aim to foster resilience against water scarcity and climate change while promoting a water-conscious society.
Over the two-day event, WWP’s booth attracted over 200 visitors, while the talk drew approximately 40 attendees. Notable visitors to the booth included YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy, and YB Chang Lih Kang, Malaysia’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
WWP extends its heartfelt gratitude to LAM Research for sponsoring the exhibition booth and inviting WWP to speak at the conference. For further inquiries, please contact us at info.waterwatchpenang@gmail.com or +6019-5751253.