Preferred Communication Channels to Foster Energy Conservation Behaviour among Public Office Building Users: A Study in Kota Iskandar

Abstract

Energy is an important source for a nation to achieve development and urbanisation. In Malaysia, the need for energy efficiency was explicitly addressed in the Ninth and Tenth Malaysia Plans. The Malaysian government has directed all government office buildings to reduce their energy usage by 10%. However, the lack of awareness and inappropriate behaviour among building users are barriers. It is believed that the successful use of appropriate communication channels can improve commitment and behaviour among building users to conserve energy. Hence, this research examines which communication channels are preferred by government office users to foster energy conservation behaviour. This research focuses on government staff working in public office building at Kota Iskandar, which is located in a new developing township of Nusajaya, one of the largest property development projects in Southeast Asia. The town is newly constructed and therefore wastage due to obsolescence factors can be minimised. Questionnaires were distributed to the staff at the State Government Department Complexes. This survey indicated that respondents highly appreciate visual communication when receiving information, while posters emerged as the most effective and preferable information-delivering channel for respondents.