10.4 Green Technology
Green technology provides innovative solutions to minimise the environmental degradation caused by rapid human development and population growth. By integrating sustainable practices, renewable resources, and social science approaches such as education and communication, society can meet current needs without compromising future generations.
Learning Objectives
- Define green technology and its importance in preserving the environment.
- State the five criteria required for a product, equipment, or system to be categorised as green technology.
- Identify the four foundational pillars of the National Green Technology Policy (NGTP).
- Describe green building innovations and their resource-efficient practices in Malaysia.
- List practical applications of green technology in daily life, including the preparation of eco-enzymes.
- Explain the role of social science, specifically education and communication, in solving environmental problems.
The Five Criteria and Four Pillars of Green Technology
A product must meet five strict criteria to qualify as green technology, while the National Green Technology Policy (NGTP) rests on four strategic pillars.
Five Criteria for Green Technology
- 1Minimises environmental degradation.
- 2Has low or zero release of greenhouse gases.
- 3Is safe to use and promotes healthier and better surroundings for all living things.
- 4Makes efficient use of energy and natural resources.
- 5Encourages the usage of renewable resources.
Four Pillars of NGTP
Energy
Efficient use and energy independence.
Environment
Conservation and minimisation of environmental impact.
Economy
Enhancing national economic development through technology.
Social
Improvement of quality of life for all.
Short Explanation
Definition of Green Technology
Green technology refers to the development and application of products, equipment, and systems to preserve the environment and nature while minimising or reducing the negative impacts of human activities. Examples of practices include building green walls or vertical gardens using solid waste.
National Green Technology Policy (NGTP)
Green technology fell under the portfolio of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), established on 27th March 2004. The National Green Technology Policy (NGTP) was launched in July 2009 with an emphasis on economic growth and sustainable development.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development means fulfilling the needs of the current society without abandoning the needs of future generations.
Innovation in Malaysia: Green Buildings
A green building is a building concept with nature-friendly technology characteristics aimed at the efficient use of natural resources such as energy, water, and materials.
| Natural Resource | Use in Green Buildings |
|---|---|
| Solar energy | Solar panels convert solar energy into electrical energy for interior lighting. |
| Water | Rainwater catchment systems collect rainwater for plant watering and toilet flushing. |
| Building materials | Encourages the use of recycled materials. |
Advantages of green buildings:
- Reduces negative effects on human health due to development.
- Reduces negative environmental impacts from construction activities.
- Saves operating, maintenance, and construction costs.
Examples in Malaysia:
- Perdana Putra building, Putrajaya.
- Cyberjaya Community Recycling and Collection Centre, where walls are constructed from recyclable items like cans and empty plastic bottles.
Practices Using the Concept of Green Technology
- Producing eco-enzymes from fruit waste to create cleaning agents.
- Producing biogas from organic solid waste.
- Recycling kitchen waste and food waste to produce natural fertiliser or crop growth boosters.
- Using banana peels to make flour as an ingredient for natural bioplastics.
- Producing liquid foliar fertiliser from kitchen waste to be sprayed directly onto vegetable leaves.
Preparation of Eco-enzymes
Materials: 100 g brown sugar, 3 g yeast, 1 L warm water, 300 g fresh lemon and orange zests, a 2-L plastic bottle, sieve, filter funnel, airtight container.
Procedure:
- Place all ingredients into the 2-L plastic bottle.
- Cap tightly and shake vigorously until brown sugar dissolves; open cap briefly to release initial air pressure.
- Release accumulated gas at least three times a day for two weeks.
- Store the bottle at approximately 35 °C (e.g., above a refrigerator).
- After two weeks, filter out the lemon and orange zests.
- Store the enzyme liquid in an airtight container for use as a floor cleaner.
Application of Social Science to Solve Environmental Problems
Social science investigates humanity using scientific methods.
Education:
- Introduced into the Malaysian education system under the Third Malaysia Plan.
- Objectives of environmental education:
- Increasing individual and societal awareness towards environmental conditions and problems.
- Providing knowledge about the environment, challenges, and individual roles/responsibilities.
- Developing skills to solve environmental issues.
- Cultivating care, protection, and proactive development of the environment.
Communication:
- Utilises mass media, pamphlets, magazines, posters, and films.
- Disseminates awareness campaigns (e.g., discouraging deforestation, protecting water and soil resources).
- Promotes community activities: gotong-royong in housing areas, beaches, and parks; cleanliness and beautification competitions for schools and residential compounds.
Try to Answer First
Answer in your mind, then press "Check Answer".
What are the four pillars of the National Green Technology Policy (NGTP)?
State two natural resources utilised in green buildings and their respective functions according to Table 10.3.
What is the primary purpose of releasing the gas formed in the plastic bottle during the preparation of eco-enzymes?
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the four pillars of the NGTP (energy, environment, economy, social) with the five criteria of green technology (minimise degradation, low greenhouse gas release, safe to use, efficient energy/resource use, renewable resources).
- Mistakenly assuming green buildings only focus on tree planting rather than architectural resource efficiency (solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and recycled building materials).
- Forgetting to mention that eco-enzyme fermentation produces gas that must be released at least three times a day to avoid excessive pressure buildup.
Concept Misunderstandings
Any product made from natural materials is automatically classified as green technology.
A product must satisfy specific criteria outlined in the NGTP, including energy efficiency, safety, low greenhouse gas emissions, and minimisation of environmental degradation.
Environmental problems can be solved solely through technological inventions.
Technology must be paired with social science—particularly education and communication—to build societal awareness, change personal habits, and cultivate responsible community action.
Summary
- Green technology is designed to preserve the natural environment and mitigate negative human impacts.
- In Malaysia, it is anchored by the 2009 National Green Technology Policy across four pillars: Energy, Environment, Economy, and Social.
- Valid green technology solutions conserve resources, minimise greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage renewable alternatives.
- These principles are evident in green building designs (e.g., Perdana Putra and Cyberjaya Community Recycling and Collection Centre) and grassroots initiatives like making eco-enzymes and natural fertilisers from kitchen waste.
- Combining technical advancements with environmental education and mass communication ensures long-term sustainability.
Short Activity
Objective: test your understanding of green technology criteria, pillars, and applications.
A. Objective Quiz
Which of the following is NOT one of the four foundational pillars of the National Green Technology Policy (NGTP)?
What recyclable materials were used to construct the walls of the Cyberjaya Community Recycling and Collection Centre?
B. Fill in the Blanks
In green buildings, rainwater catchment systems collect water that is primarily used for watering plants and cleaning .
Under the Third Malaysia Plan, environmental was introduced into the national education system to raise awareness and responsibility towards nature.
C. Matching / Drag and Drop
Match each green technology practice or innovation to its correct raw material or application. On a phone, tap a choice first, then tap the matching box. Tap the Answer Choices area to return a selected item.
C. Match the Practice to Its Raw Material / Application
Write the correct practice next to each raw material or application.
| Raw Material / Application | Practice / Innovation |
|---|---|
| 1. Fresh lemon and orange zests fermented with sugar, yeast, and water | |
| 2. Flour derived from banana peels | |
| 3. Kitchen waste sprayed directly onto vegetable leaves as a growth booster | |
| 4. Decomposition of organic solid waste |
Answer choices: Eco-enzyme cleaner • Natural bioplastic • Liquid foliar fertiliser • Biogas production
