by FAYYADH JAAFAR / Pic by AFP

ADDITIONAL funds, technology transfer and capacity-building are required for developing countries to implement the Paris Agreement, Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said.

In his speech at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Tuan Ibrahim said Malaysia is looking forward to the completion of the Paris rulebook during COP26 to stay on track to achieve the 1.5°C goal.

He stressed that there needs to be a clear modality for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) implementation and the establishment of cooperative arrangements.

“Taking into account the serious impact of global warming and the unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia recognises the urgency to build back better through green recovery,” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim also announced Malaysia’s updated NDCs to reduce its economy-wide carbon intensity (against GDP) by 45% in 2030 compared to 2005 levels, which is an increase of 10% from the earlier submission.

In addition, Malaysia’s NDCs now covers seven greenhouse gases (GHG) instead of three GHG previously.

“Malaysia also aspires to achieve a net-zero GHG emission target earliest by 2050, pending the completion of its Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy by 2022,” he said.

He outlined eight measures to achieve these ambitious targets, including the implementation of carbon pricing policy in phases to support national efforts to reduce GHG emissions; achievement of 31% of renewable energy capacity for power generation in 2025 via its Malaysia’s Energy Transition Plan to 2021-2040; aspiration for 100% of government fleets to be non-internal combustion engine vehicles by 2030; maintaining at least 50% forest cover as pledged during the Rio Earth Summit 1992; implementing natural-based solutions as a basis to reduce long-term impacts through planting of 100 million trees; moving towards Zero Waste directed to landfill through the Waste to Energy concept and to increase its recycling rate target to 40% by 2025; transforming cities in Malaysia towards low carbon pathway as outlined under the National Low Carbon City Masterplan; and increasing long-term resilience towards climate change impacts through the development of the National Adaptation Plan.

In addition, he stated that two of Malaysia’s energy companies have rolled out their plans to achieve a net-zero emissions target by 2050, and the Malaysian government has agreed to support the Global Methane Pledge as well as the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use.

“In this regard, Malaysia is willing to work with all parties to ensure the success of COP26,” he added.