Liow: Vital to invest in environmentally sustainable transport sector

All ears: Liow (second from right) listening to Datuk Baharin Abdul Hamid, the director-general of Marine Department Malaysia, about the coffeetable book

LANGKAWI: The key to aviation success hinges on the collective ability to ensure not only safety and security, but environmental sustainability of the industry, said Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The Transport Minister said as an evolving and improving region, Asean must invest in an environmentally sustainable transport sector, especially aviation.

“The onus is not only on the Government but on the private sector, industry NGOs, academia and entities who can contribute positively to ensuring Asean’s aviation industry continues to progress towards a first world aviation ecosystem.

“We must stand together in our noble cause to minimise carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions as it is critical for the survival of our planet,” he said in his speech during the Asean Aviation Summit at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) here, held in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) exhibition 2017.

Liow said the transport sector contributed to about 21% of carbon emission in Malaysia while the aviation industry accounted for 30%.

He added that as global demand for air travel and growth in the aviation industry are forecasted to increase significantly in future, it will undoubtedly have a greater impact on the environment.

“While the benefit of this growth will be substantial, there is a compelling need to balance this increase in demand and the environmental sustainability components.

“The International Civil Aviation Organisation, during its 39th assembly last year, approved a carbon offsetting strategy to cap international aviation emissions in 2020 and beyond.

“I strongly believe that we must address the environmental challenges and sustainability,” he said as he reiterated Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 40%.

Liow also noted that Malaysia, together with 66 other member states, had pledged their support to participate in the voluntary pilot phase of the Carbon Offsetting and reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia).

Later, Liow officiated the 18th session of the Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) Forum.