Analysis of Household Carbon Emission and Recommendations of Reduction Methods in Greater Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

Developing countries including Malaysia are observing a sharp increase of carbon emission due to
increasing population, rapid economic growth, and urbanization besides improvements in living
standards. This study aims to analyse household energy consumption and appropriate interventions
recommendation to reduce carbon emission by changing lifestyles, which will lead to savings. In this
study, energy consumption and the carbon dioxide emission model including a household survey is
presented. The survey area covers 10 municipalities, governed by local authorities in the Federal
Territory of Malaysia and the Selangor State, which reveals that the average household carbon
emission is 103±54.6 tonne per month, ranging from 20 to 224 tonne per month. The findings show
that 22% of carbon emission could be reduced by each household per month by using energy efficient
air-conditioners, fans, refrigerators, bulbs, etc. Hence, each household could save RM 64 per month
by reducing energy consumption and changing behaviours, which also offers environmental benefits.
Thus, the promotion of energy efficient equipment, behaviour-based approach for conserving energy,
promotion of participation in energy conservation, special training for the future generation,
comprehensive intervention at the industrial level, and establishment of appropriate databases can
decline the potential amount of carbon emission.