MP says Malaysia skipping deforestation pledge 'tragedy' but govt unveils own plan

 

A lawmaker has called Malaysia's decision not to sign a pledge to cease deforestation by 2030 a "tragedy".

Klang MP Charles Santiago said this after Malaysia was not part of a list of 100-plus countries who pledged to stop deforestation by 2030, at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow on Monday.

"Malaysia is missing from the list. This is a tragedy as more forests will be wiped out in the name of progress and (Malaysia will) face more floods, straining existing resources.

"At this rate, Keluarga Malaysia will not be safe," Santiago (above) tweeted today.

Countries on the list of pledgers include neighbouring Indonesia, while 28 nations committed to removing deforestation from the global trade of food and other agricultural products like palm oil, soya and cocoa.

The pledge was also underpinned by US$19 billion (RM78.92 billion) in public and private funds to invest in protecting and restoring forests.

The pledge came at a crucial point where countries must commit to actions now to reduce global emissions by half by 2030, to have a chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Forests play a key role as carbon sinks.

Govt announces Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint

Although Malaysia did not join in the pledge, the government today announced a different approach to reducing carbon through its Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint (LCMB) 2021-2030. 

Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man

Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the action plan aimed to reduce energy use and greenhouse gases emissions was approved by the cabinet on Oct 29.

"Based on our estimation, the implementation of the LCMB can reduce energy usage by 51,000 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe), potentially reducing carbon emissions by 165 million tonnes by 2030.

"This is the same as removing three million vehicles from the road or planting 410 million trees, which act as carbon sinks," he said in a statement.

He added that the LCMB could also reduce national spending on fuel by RM150 billion and create 50,000 new jobs in related industries.

'Low carbon city'

The LCMB will focus on four objectives, namely to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions through:

• Efficient use of fuel and vehicles that produce emissions
• Mobility in usage of electricity
• Alternative energy sources
• Conversion to other modes of transportation.

Tuan Ibrahim added that the LCMB will be implemented jointly with other relevant ministries, including the Finance, International Trade and Industry, Energy and Natural Resources, Transport and Housing and Local Government Ministries.

This includes taking a 'low carbon city' approach for development, to encourage more walking and cycling instead of driving or mobility using fuel-powered vehicles through better infrastructure.

Tuan Ibrahim was earlier panned for skipping the crucial COP26 conference, but it is understood that the ministry's secretary-general is in attendance.

However, deforestation or forest conservation specifically, does not fall under his ministry's purview but is under the watch of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. - Mkini