Malaysian government efforts to mitigate climate change

National Committee on CDM (NCCDM) National Committee on CDM (NCCDM) Established in May 2002 under the MONRE (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) Two technical committees: one for Energy and another for Forestry Oversees CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) projects on renewable energy energy efficiency land fill management (flaring or land fill gas to energy) fuel switch to less C-based (coal to gas or biomass) biogas to energy land use and land use change, e.g., afforestation (grow a forest), reforestation (grow more trees in a forest), and cropland management

National Green Technology Policy Launched in July 2009 by the Prime Minister Five objectives: 1. Decreasing growth of energy consumption while enhancing economic development; 2. Facilitating growth of the Green Technology industry and enhancing its contribution to the national economy; 3. Increasing national capability and capacity for innovation in Green Technology development and enhancing Malaysia’s Green Technology competitiveness in the global arena; 4. Ensuring sustainable development and conserving the environment for future generations; and 5. Enhancing public education and awareness on Green Technology and encouraging its widespread use

Five strategic thrusts: 1. Strengthening cooperation between institutions Ministry of Energy, Green technology and Water is the focal point (hub) of coordination 2. Provide conducive environment for Green Technology development make Malaysia a regional hub 3. Ensure sufficient skilled, qualified, competent, and productive work force in Green Technology development 4. Intensify R&D in Green technology and towards commercialisation 5. Promote strong awareness among the public about Green Technology

Capture of methane emissions from palm oil mills Malaysia has 417 palm oil mills 246 in Peninsular Malaysia, 117 in Sabah Mills emit CH 4 from retention ponds after oil has been extracted So, capture the CH 4 emissions from palm oil mill effluent (POME) as biogas can be used/sold for industry (e.g., olechemical producers), transport fuel, and electricity biogas cheaper than electricity easier and cheaper to transport over long distance gas pipelines cheaper to build than electricity towers transmission loss by gas only ¼ of that by electricity

Use of palm oil biofuel Malaysia can produce as much as 2 mil. tonnes of biofuel per year from palm oil B5 biodiesel 5% palm oil, 95% diesel but 4-5 cents a liter more expensive than 100% diesel plan to introduce by 2008 but delayed to 2010 then delayed to possibly 2011 some doubts whether the public would want to pay more for this B5 biodiesel Energy from empty fruit bunches can also be used (7.5 to 14 MW) but not fully utilised because of irregular EFB supply and technology limitations

Renewable energy Malaysia plans to increase use of renewable energy from 50 MW today to 2,000 MW by 2020 Suria 1000 programme power from solar energy Hydropower and geothermal also seen as sources of renewable energy but dams (especially large ones like Bakun dam) are not environmentally friendly (and not renewable) Malaysia pledges to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2020 compared to levels at 2005 (Copenhagen 2009) Malaysia pledges to maintain at least 50% of total land area forested (Rio de Janerio 1992)

Reforestation in Malaysia Reforestation in Malaysia has increased from an average of 989 ha per year in to 6839 ha per year in In , Malaysia’s reforestation rate increased to an average of 33,009 ha per year, an increase of nearly five times of that in Deforestation rate in Malaysia has fallen* : deforestation rate = 102,000 ha per year : deforestation rate = 140,000 ha per year * includes rubber plantations as forest