27/09/2011(Daily Express) - Green SURF (Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future) is continuing to encourage a shift to renewable energy by initiating various events among which is the Southeast Asian clean energy summit.

Its spokesperson, Cynthia Ong, said this at the "Say Yes to Renewable Energy" event in support of 350.org Moving Planet global campaign, here, Saturday.

"350.0rg is an international grassroots campaign aimed at mobilising people to bring carbon dioxide emissions down to the scientifically determined safe level of 350 parts per million from the current 391 level," she said.

Commenting further on the Southeast Asian clean energy summit, she said: "The event is scheduled for the last quarter of next year and will focus on clean energy projects carried out by communities in the region, while highlighting issues and discussing solutions in pushing such initiatives forward.

"This commitment will place Sabah on the map as a state that is ready to move ahead with renewable energy, especially among rural communities who do not necessarily have to depend on the grid.

"Our coalition wants to keep on offering solutions the way we did with a clean energy options report for the State when the Government proposed a coal plant for the third time two years ago.

"We want to influence the conservation by encouraging renewable energy projects. What we are doing is in line with government policies and commitments on green energy, and we hope to see support for our initiatives," Ong said.

She revealed that Land Empowerment Animals People (Leap) and Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa), which are among the NGOs that form Green SURF, will speak at the Forum Towards Energy Efficiency and Safe Options at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 8.

"The forum will discuss the potential of using palm oil waste in generating renewable energy for rural communities. Experience in protesting what would have been Sabah's first coal plant will also be shared.

"We are honoured to be invited to share our experiences.

Although we have limited resources, we will work with our partners and networks to showcase renewable energy as viable and efficient," she said.

Green SURF is a coalition of NGOs that came together in October 2009 following the Federal Government's third proposal to build a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu. The Government cancelled the project in February 2011.

Its members include Land Empowerment Animals People (Leap), the Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) and Partners of Community Organisations (Pacos).