MALAYSIA aspires to be a carbon-neutral nation in the future as it views climate change and sustainability as an issue of high significance, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed said today.

Mustapa said although Malaysia contributed less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the administration is taking this issue seriously.

“As we aspire to become a carbon-neutral nation, priority will be on low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, as well as conservation of natural resources,” he said when delivering his keynote address in a webinar session on “Climate and Sustainability Ambitions of our Trading Partners” today.

Hosted by the Climate Governance Malaysia, the webinar was participated by EU ambassador to Malaysia Michalis Rokas, Japan’s ambassador to Malaysia Oka Hiroshi, Norway’s ambassador to Malaysia Gunn Jorid Roset, Italy’s ambassador to Malaysia Cristiano Maggipinto and Deputy British High Commissioner to Malaysia David Thomas.

Mustapa also said Malaysian companies must look ahead and develop robust green strategies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption.

“Climate change mitigation and pollution prevention have increasingly become important as businesses continue to seek a social licence to operate,” he said.

Citing an example, Mustapa said more industries in the world are now focusing on becoming more environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient and have increased their commitment towards Environmental, Social and Governance goals.

“By aligning our way of doing business to meet the requirements of our trading partners in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Accord, I believe further opportunities could be unleashed and greater value realised for Malaysia,” he said.

Mustapa said Malaysia’s National Energy Policy to be launched this year to serve as the planning and development agenda for the country’s energy sector would see a transition towards a low-carbon future.  

“This policy, together with holistic action plans will reinforce and strengthen the nation’s trading ecosystem,” he added.

It was reported that the Economic Planning Unit was in the final stage of formulating Malaysia’s National Energy Policy, which is expected to be launched in the second half of this year. – Bernama, May 5, 2021.