Malaysia’s government has set a target to reduce the country’s carbon intensity against GDP by up to 45% by 2030.

This is according to Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Ministry’s deputy secretary-general, Datuk Nor Hayati Awang.

This aligns with the global objective to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, reflecting the increasing global awareness of climate change and the growing demand for sustainable solutions, she added.

The deputy secretary-general emphasised that the ministry is prioritising the importance of societal awareness regarding the significant impact of collective actions on the environment. 

“Although Malaysia’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is only 0.69%, the government remains committed to reducing national carbon emissions,” she said on Thursday at the launch of Carbon Neutral Computing Services (CNCS).

Nor Hayati added that the target is to reach net-zero GHG emissions while balancing economic needs and public welfare, The Sun Malaysia reports.

“NRES aims to identify and encourage affordable solutions that benefit the masses, even amid economic uncertainties,” she said, with the main priorities including the Nationally Determined Contributions Roadmap and Long-term Low Emissions Development Strategies.

“These policies will guide Malaysia towards net-zero GHG emissions, which are designed to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,” she stated.

Furthermore, Nor Hayati noted that the widespread use of electronic devices has brought about significant transformations in both daily routines and business operations. “Technological revolution has led to a notable increase in electronic waste, where Malaysia must shift its focus from a linear economy to a circular economy to address this growing concern.”

She added that Malaysia has taken action to embrace the circular economy via numerous policies, such as National Sustainable Consumption and Production Blueprint 2016, National Solid Waste Management Policy 2016, Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030, and National Cleanliness Policy 2020-2030.

“These policies push efforts for Malaysians to manage e-waste through circular economy concepts implementation,” she said.