KUALA LUMPUR – The Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Ministry has affirmed that the government will save RM100 billion if the proposed Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill 2023 is passed.
NRECC Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa-PH) confirmed this in a parliamentary written response to a query by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Bandar Tun Razak-PH), emphasising that the bill’s enforcement would also create new job opportunities in the industrial, commercial, and domestic residential sectors.
The question concerned NRECC’s methods for achieving zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as early as 2050 in order to mitigate the negative effects of climate change, which is the target of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
He said the government is also expected to save an estimated energy consumption of 2,017 million gigajoules (GJ), or the equivalent of RM97.1 billion, and reduce carbon emissions by 197,877 ktCO2 (kilotonnes of carbon dioxide).
“The country is also expected to have 1,000 new job opportunities, allowing the government to make more effective plans for the country’s energy development,” he said.
He said that enacting the bill would create a comprehensive energy efficiency legal framework to regulate, enforce, coordinate, and implement energy efficiency initiatives, including thermal energy.
Nik Nazmi also stated that the bill is closely related to the energy transition initiative, which aims to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by the year 2050 by the energy-related sectors.
“In order to reduce the negative effects of climate change, the country also needs to adapt to the effects of climate change that (it) is currently facing.
“The government has applied for funds under the Green Climate Fund to develop a national adaptation plan that will look at the effects of climate change such as floods, sea level rise, coastal erosion, and drought on five main sectors.
“(This includes) water security and coastal resources, agriculture and food security, infrastructure, energy, and developed environments, including cities, forestry, and biodiversity, as well as public health,” he said.
He mentioned various methods used to reduce GHG emissions, as outlined in Chapter 8 of 12MP, such as mitigation actions through renewable energy use programmes, practicing energy efficiency through the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan programme, and public transportation based on rail or trains.
Other methods he mentioned included the use of energy-efficient vehicles, palm-based biodiesel in a petroleum diesel blend, natural gas in vehicles, and gas and oil sub-sector programmes.
He added that the ministry will develop long term low emission development strategies (LT-LEDS), which will provide policy direction and action plans until net zero aspirations are achieved.
On July 6, Nik Nazmi stated that Malaysia will prioritise energy transition and GHG emission reductions at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP28.
Nik Nazmi is expected to be part of a delegation led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the World Climate Action Summit in December, to be held alongside COP28 in Dubai on Friday. – November 28, 2023