Low-carbon or greenwash? Award for Penang South Islands mega project criticised for setting ‘dangerous precedent’
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The project developer, backed by the Penang state government, has produced an ecology offset masterplan to address its environmental footprint, and has recently received accolades for its 'low-carbon' design. Critics say it is greenwashing. An artist's impression of the three new islands to be build on reclaimed land off of the south of Penang's main island. Image: SRS Consortium An effort by the Malaysian government to further prop up the green credentials of a controversial mega reclamation project in Penang has been called out by environmentalists for greenwashing. The Penang South Islands project, which involves large-scale land reclamation for the development of a series of artificial islands spanning almost 17 square kilometres, was awarded a ‘low-carbon’ city award for its design last month by the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (MGTC). A check with the government agency, which is under the country’s environment, energy and climate change ministry, howeve...