Rehda inks MoUs with MGTC, MCMA to advance sustainable property development

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 14): The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) has signed separate memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) and the Malaysia Carbon Market Association (MCMA) to promote sustainable property development and strengthen industry understanding of carbon markets.

The MoU with MGTC was signed on Sept 10 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec), in conjunction with International Sustainability Week (ISW) 2026.

It establishes a framework for cooperation in areas including green technology, climate action and the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices in the built environment.

MGTC is an agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), with a mandate covering green growth, climate-change mitigation and green lifestyles.

Under the MoU, Rehda and MGTC will explore collaborative initiatives to support the property industry’s transition towards more sustainable and environmentally responsible development practices.

Rehda deputy president Datuk Edward Chong Sin Kiat signed the MoU on behalf of the association, witnessed by Rehda ESG Committee chairman Teo Chui Ping.

MGTC was represented by group chief executive officer Saiful Adib Abdul Munaff and head of corporate strategy and business development Muhammad Omar Haatim Harris.

Building carbon-market capabilities

Separately, Rehda signed an MoU with MCMA to enhance engagement, knowledge sharing and capacity building in carbon management and decarbonisation strategies within the property sector.

According to a Rehda statement dated Sept 10, the collaboration will seek to improve industry understanding of carbon markets, carbon credits and climate financing, including their potential applications in the built environment.

Rehda said it would contribute its industry knowledge and network, while MCMA would provide expertise in carbon markets and high-quality carbon projects.

Chong said the growing focus on sustainability meant property developers needed sufficient knowledge to understand emerging mechanisms such as carbon markets.

“Carbon markets and climate financing can appear complex, particularly for companies that are only beginning to consider how these mechanisms may be incorporated into their operations and developments,” he said.

“Through our collaboration with MCMA, we hope to make this knowledge more accessible to our members and provide clarity on the opportunities and responsibilities that come with the transition towards low-carbon development.”

He added that MCMA’s technical expertise, combined with Rehda’s industry reach and understanding of property development, could help identify practical initiatives to support developers’ decarbonisation efforts.

MCMA president Dr Renard Siew said decarbonising Malaysia’s built environment was not only a climate-change imperative but also an opportunity to strengthen the country’s carbon market.

The collaboration is aligned with Malaysia’s target of achieving net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050.

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