Government to establish National Decarbonisation Committee, says Nik Nazmi

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will accelerate the establishment and adoption of decarbonisation initiatives with the setting up of a National Decarbonisation Committee.

The committee would involve state governments and relevant stakeholders to ensure a balanced and orderly transition to low-carbon development.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (pic) said the committee would be chaired by him to monitor the implementation of the action plan for achieving this goal.

"It will be supported by new, inclusive, and comprehensive policies, taking into account the country's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

ALSO READ: National decarbonisation committee formed to drive low-carbon development, says Anwar

"Considering the development of policies and the latest developments in climate change issues at the domestic and international levels, the Climate Change Policy 2009 has been revised and updated to include Malaysia's commitment under the Paris Agreement 2015," he said in a statement on Saturday (June 15).

This came after the fifth meeting of the National Climate Change Action Council (MTPIN) chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday (June 14).

Nik Nazmi said the council had agreed to approve the National Climate Change Policy 2.0 for that purpose.

"This policy will complement other initiatives, including drafting the National Climate Change Bill, developing the National Adaptation Plan and the National Carbon Market Policy.

"These planned initiatives are the government's way of comprehensively addressing the issue of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, strengthening the country's resilience towards the effects of climate change, and promoting a transition towards more sustainable development and low carbon emissions," he said.

Nik Nazmi said during the meeting they discussed setting a target in terms of years to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the country by 2050.

"In order to achieve this target, the meeting has agreed to accelerate the implementation of the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP), the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap (HETR) as well as new policies such as the National Climate Change Bill.

"This heightened approach will be the catalyst for Malaysia in reaching green economic growth as well as generating green jobs for the people," he said.