Building Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Cities During Pandemic

Life in Pandemic Era Series

Abstract

Pandemic Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) began to hit worldwide in December 2019 and was regarded as one of the most significant obstacles for the Malaysian government. However, with the Movement Control Order (MCO) implementation to curb the pandemic, air pollution, carbon footprint, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have decreased. There are three primary sources for releasing carbon in Malaysia: energy, transportations, and solid waste production. However, solid waste production is a significant contribution to the environmental footprint during the pandemic. The statistic substantiates that Malaysia's waste production increased tremendously from 2010 to 2020, asserts that Malaysians generate more waste even during the pandemic. This article discusses the impact of the pandemic COVID-19, with the legislation, policies, and control measures taken by the government, local authority, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to achieve the low carbon goals to reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHGs). As a result, producing a more climate-resilient environment and more sustainable practice in the metropolis aids the city in mitigating and reducing the effects of climate change.