Renowned developer UEM Sunrise Berhad (UEM Sunrise) is taking it to the next level by further integrating its key initiatives in sustainability. The developer plans to make a mark in the industry through its embedded sustainable core values and its key sustainable pillars; Liveability, Affordability, Sustainability and Resilience, throughout all its developments, environment and community.

UEM Sunrise Chief Executive Officer Sufian Abdullah opines: “Our unyielding dedication to environmental, preservation, societal enhancement, and sustainability lies at the core of our mission.

Our vision transcends the construction of buildings; it revolves around creating thriving communities integrated with their natural surroundings. We believe that sustainable living is the only path forward.”

SIREH Park: A strong, green collaboration

UEM Sunrise’s commitment to the development of SIREH Park goes beyond mere monetary investment, it reflects its steadfast dedication and proactive climate risk management.

Hence, the developer has partnered with SIREH Park to enhance the park’s initiatives, promoting SIREH Park as a model of ecological sustainability.

According to UEM Sunrise, in a bid to strengthen the partnership: “Both parties will leverage on various strategic tools such as marketing campaigns, digital strategies and so on.”

Spanning 138 hectares (343 acres) of land, SIREH Park offers a diverse range of attractions and amenities that cater to all ages and interests, with well-maintained walking paths and multi-elevation jogging trails, providing an ideal space for outdoor exercise and leisurely strolls, lush green spaces for picnics and outdoor games.

Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the park’s well-preserved flora and fauna, comprising flowers and lush trees along with a wide array of bird species, making the park a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts.

The park is envisioned as a thriving ecosystem that underscores the developer’s unwavering commitment to its sustainable growth.

UEM Sunrise has established a valuable partnership with the SIREH Park Trust called The Nusajaya Natural Heritage Trust (TNNHT), which was formed in July 2015.

The developer maintains: “Our collaboration with SIREH Park not only supports its immediate development, but also aligns with our long-term vision of fostering sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change.”

UEMS has committed a total of RM35 million to support the development and initial operations of SIREH Park , encompassing areas such as operational expenditures (OPEX) and capital expenditures (CAPEX) in efforts to bolster the park’s infrastructure and are actively considering the impact of climate change risks and opportunities.

“Furthermore, we are diligently working to align all future capital expenditures with UEM Sunrise’s long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target(s) or with the Paris Agreement’s objective of limiting global warming to 1.5° Celsius,” says UEM Sunrise’s Sufian.

Tree planting, bearing fruit

Meanwhile, the park has set a remarkable target of planting 25,000 tree saplings, a monumental effort in carbon sequestration. This initiative alone will sequester around 300,000 kg of carbon dioxide annually, significantly mitigating climate change.

In 2022, the collaborative efforts bore fruit, with the planting of 1,738 trees within SIREH Park and to date, 7,767 forest trees have been planted throughout the park. Remarkably, most of these trees were native species listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.

Species such as “Mertajam” (Lepisanthes rubiginosum), “Timah-Timah” (Ilex cymosa), “Penang sloe” (Kopsia arborea), “Bertih Paya” (Parartocarpus sp.), “Kembang Semangkuk” (Scaphium linearicarpum) and “Merawan Kanching” have found a home in SIREH Park, furthering UEM Sunrise’s biodiversity and conservation efforts.

In November 2022, UEM Sunrise organised a ‘Grow a Tree’ programme in collaboration with SIREH Park, bringing together 120 members of the developer’s loyalty customers, the Trésorians, and residents from UEM Sunrise’s development projects in the Southern region, including East Ledang, Teega, Bayu Angkasa, Nusa Idaman, and The Maris Desaru. This heartwarming initiative exemplifies UEM Sunrise’s commitment to community involvement and environmental stewardship.

SIREH Park’s dedication to environmental education extends beyond its tree planting activities. The park actively collaborates with the community through various educational initiatives, such as eco-learning, volunteering, school outreach programmes, hands-on workshops and many more.

As a result of these activities, SIREH Park has served as a catalyst by forging partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and corporations, including in close partnerships with the Johor Bahru District Education Department (PPD) and the Johor State Fisheries Office on a freshwater fish breeding pilot project.

On top of collaborations with external parties,SIREH Park has also made its own organic composting from green waste collected during the park’s routine maintenance as part of the park’s 3Rs (reuse, reduce and recycle) activities.

SIREH Park has participated in iNaturalist as a project space by collaborating with Think City for the City Nature Challenge. iNaturalist is a non-profit social network of naturalists, citizen scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations of biodiversity across the world.

In addition to SIREH Park’s collaboration with UEM Sunrise, the park also encourages individuals with a green heart to actively contribute to its growth. For as low as RM200 per tree, members of the public can participate in SIREH Park’s tree-planting programmes, where donors can monitor the growth and well-being of their trees through a dedicated

Future forward

Commenting on the upcoming projects, Sufian says, “We are committed to not only being a driving force but a necessity in catalysing transformative change where eco-friendly practices are no longer just preferences but an indispensable imperative.”

In addition to SOLS Energy, UEM Sunrise is the first property developer to sign two Memoranda of Understanding or MoUs with PETRONAS’s wholly owned subsidiaries, PETRONAS Global Technical Solutions Sdn Bhd (PGTSSB) and Gentari Sdn Bhd (GENTARI), respectively. Officially penned in September 2022, the two MoUs will explore different opportunities for collaboration in adopting renewable, green energy and mobility, as well as forming intelligent, sustainable cities for the future.

Sufian says, “In the immediate term, our collaboration with GENTARI will explore introducing low-carbon solutions, specifically installing EV charging points at key developments and an electric forecourt at UEM Sunrise facilities, as well as solar farms at UEM Sunrise lands.”

Apart from that, the company is pushing forward its initiatives via its investments, partnerships involving SIREH Park in Iskandar Puteri and its developments such as KAIA Heights in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

An artist’s attractions impression of KAIA Heights in Equine Park, Seri Kembangan

Additionally, UEM Sunrise projects and operations, including our head offices, have established the Environmental Aspect Impact Registers (EAIR) to systematically address any potential climate change risks, among other environmental considerations.”

Looking ahead, UEM Sunrise plans to work alongside partners from various industries to mitigate the effects of climate change and work towards carbon neutrality by 2050. “Among these key partnerships include partnering with SOLS Energy, where we seek to promote sustainable living by harnessing the sun’s natural power to energise our township homes.

As a result of this partnership, our loyal customers, called Trésorians community, enjoy exclusive offers on solar panel subscriptions, leading to instant savings on electricity bills,” reveals Sufian.

The development will feature lush surroundings and amenities

He adds, “At UEM Sunrise, we proactively engage with climate change risks and opportunities as an essential component of our Board’s agenda. We diligently assess and mitigate potential issues, demonstrating our commitment to navigating this vital landscape with a forward-thinking approach.”