PETALING JAYA: Stronger public engagement and community-level action are needed to tackle climate change, particularly in waste management and the development of climate-resilient housing, says Nga Kor Ming.
The Housing and Local Government Minister, who is leading Malaysia’s delegation at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), said climate action must move beyond policy discussions and international commitments towards practical implementation involving local governments, businesses and communities.
Nga highlighted Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening the circular economy through greater household participation, community-based initiatives and responsible waste management practices.
“Malaysia’s experience has demonstrated how national policies can be translated into meaningful public participation, particularly through the Separation at Source initiative, which encourages households and communities to take greater responsibility for waste management.
“Last year, Malaysian families and communities collectively set a national record by collecting more than 27,600kg of used cooking oil in a single day, demonstrating how everyday household waste could be transformed into valuable resources, including sustainable aviation fuel and green energy, provided all parties work together,” he said in a statement yesterday.
COP31, which will run until Nov 20 in Antalya, Turkiye, brings together world leaders, organisations, civil society groups, experts and youth advocates to strengthen global cooperation on climate action.
Separately, during a session titled “Housing at the Heart of Climate Action: Moving from Commitments to Sanctuary”, organised by UN-Habitat, Nga called for a fundamental shift in how housing is positioned within the global climate agenda.
He said climate-resilient housing must be recognised not as an economic commodity or an emissions liability, but as a fundamental human right and public good.
