On 19 February 2025, a meeting was held with State Executive Councillor for Infrastructure and Transport, Penang State Government, Zairil Khir Johari, along with representatives from ICLEI South Asia, the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Joint Business Council (IMT-GT JBC), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). During the meeting, the Penang Island Green City Action Plan (GCAP) was officially signed and approved, setting the course for its implementation.

The discussion focused on execution strategies for priority projects, including the installation of Floating Solar Photovoltaic (PV) at Teluk Bahang Dam, the development of a Green Mobility Zone in George Town, the reuse of treated wastewater for non-potable activities, the implementation of a Circular Economy-Based Integrated Waste Management System, the deployment of a Flood Early Warning System, asset monetisation of city council land parcels, and energy audits of municipal buildings and utilities. The meeting underscored the importance of mobilising resources and fostering collaboration to ensure successful implementation.

Following this, from 19-20 February 2025, ICLEI South Asia, IMT-GT JBC, and ADB organised workshops at Penang Institute to support capacity building and discuss implementation pathways for the GCAP projects.

The first workshop on 19 February 2025 was attended by town planners, engineers, and urban planners from Ipoh, Kangar, Taiping, and Seberang Perai. It focused on technical training for urban system assessments, climate risk and vulnerability assessments (CRVA), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. Participants reviewed data requirements and methodologies for climate action planning, guided by the ICLEI ClimateResilientCities Methodology and the ADB Resilience Toolkit. The workshop addressed service performance challenges across water supply, wastewater, solid waste management, disaster management, energy, and transport sectors, ensuring a structured approach to GCAP development in participating cities.

The second workshop on 20 February 2025 concentrated on Penang Island GCAP’s execution. Senior technical officers from Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP), the Local Government Division (BKT) of the Penang State Government, the Penang State Economic Planning Unit (BPEN), Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBA), and the Penang Green Council participated. Discussions centered on the phased rollout of the seven priority projects identified in the GCAP and strategies for financial and technical resource mobilization.

The engagement reaffirmed Penang Island’s role in advancing climate resilience and sustainable urban development. By integrating strategic implementation frameworks and fostering collaboration, the GCAP is moving from planning to action, setting a precedent for other cities in Malaysia and the region.