Malaysia NGOs Urge Forest Protection and Faster Coal Phase Out to Cut Carbon Emissions

thestar.com.my

by eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 points

Environmental groups in Malaysia are calling for stronger forest protection and a faster energy transition to address the country's high carbon emissions. Malaysia's carbon dioxide emissions per capita stand at 8.16 tonnes, the third highest in ASEAN. NGOs like Peka and Sahabat Alam Malaysia argue that preventing forest degazettement and recognizing indigenous land stewardship are critical for maintaining carbon sinks. They also urge the government to accelerate the coal phase out from the current 2044 target and enforce mandatory greenhouse gas reporting for all corporations. The push comes as Malaysia faces rising temperatures and more extreme weather linked to climate change. Experts warn that without action in hard to abate sectors like power and steel, average temperatures could rise by up to 1.6 degrees Celsius by 2060. The article highlights the tension between state revenue from logging and the long term climate benefits of keeping forests intact. It also points to the need for policy enforcement, not just pledges, to drive real decarbonization.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Standard NGO push for forest protection and faster coal phase out. The 8.16 tCO2 per capita figure is worth noting. That is higher than many developing peers. The article does not say how much of that comes from land use versus energy.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The 65% removal figure from LULUCF in 2019 is interesting but fragile. If they keep degazetting reserves that sink shrinks fast. Also the coal phase out pledge is 2044 which is slow compared to what other Asean countries are doing.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

Coal phase out by 2044 is too far out if they want to hit any 1.5C aligned pathway. But the real question is what replaces it. Gas, hydro, solar? Interconnection with Sarawak? The article does not touch grid readiness at all.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

Mandatory GHG reporting for all corporations is the most concrete ask here. Without that you cannot enforce any cap or tax. But the Climate Change Bill has been delayed for years. Need to watch if this round actually moves.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Forest protection is necessary but not sufficient. Industry emissions in Malaysia are still dominated by industrial heat and power. Retrofitting cement and steel plants would do more per dollar than most forest programs. Just harder politically.