@Green July/August 2025 | Page 13

July-August. 2025 | @ green

COVER STORY

tion now is whether ambition can consistently translate into action, and whether Malaysia can serve as a model of sustainable growth in the ASEAN region.- @ green

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Malaysia’ s energy future is shifting toward the sun, rivers, and wind. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’ s vision includes boosting renewable energy capacity to 70 per cent of the national energy mix by 2050, a sharp increase from today’ s 25 per cent.

Key government measures include:

• Tax incentives for green tech manufacturers.

• Feed-in tariff enhancements to encourage solar adoption.

• Investment in large-scale hydro projects in Sarawak and Sabah.

“ The energy transition is not a cost- it is an investment in our competitiveness,” Anwar said, stressing that Malaysia must“ seize the global green economy momentum or be left behind.” The shift is expected to create 150,000 new green jobs over the next decade, with skills development programs targeting engineers, technicians, and entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector.

NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

Malaysia’ s forests store an estimated seven billion tonnes of CO 2, making them vital to the fight against climate change. Under the National Climate Adaptation

Plan, the government is launching:

• One Million Trees Campaign— already at 78 per cent completion.

• Mangrove rehabilitation across 6,000 hectares of coastal zones.

• Wildlife corridor restoration in Pahang and Johor to protect tigers and elephants.

“ We are custodians of the oldest rainforests on Earth,” Anwar reminded the audience.“ They are not just a source of pride- they are our life insurance against climate disaster.” These projects also have a community dimension, with indigenous groups engaged in eco-tourism and forest stewardship programmes.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

As climate impacts threaten crop yields, Malaysia is pivoting toward precision agriculture- combining AI, drones, and soil sensors to boost productivity while reducing environmental damage.

The government’ s Agri-Tech Transition Plan 2030 targets:

• 30 per cent reduction in chemical fertiliser use.

• Expansion of organic farming acreage by 50 per cent.

• Support for urban farming hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru.

“ Our farmers are not just food producers- they are frontline environmental stewards,” Anwar said, noting that sustainable farming is key to food security and rural prosperity.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

RESOURCES

WASTE

Malaysia currently generates 38,000 tonnes of waste daily, with only 28 per cent being recycled.

The National Circular Economy Roadmap aims to push the recycling rate to 60 per cent by 2035 through:

• Nationwide mandatory waste separation starting 2026.

• Extended producer responsibility( EPR) laws requiring manufacturers to take back packaging.

• Grants for start-ups developing waste-toenergy technologies.

“ A circular economy keeps resources in use for as long as possible. It’ s common sense economics,” Anwar said, adding that the shift would also cut landfill emissions significantly.

ESG IN BUSINESS

Corporate Malaysia is under mounting pressure to move beyond ESG talk and into measurable action. From 2026, all publicly listed companies will be required to disclose Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, with Scope 3 reporting to follow by 2030.

Key moves include:

• Bursa Malaysia’ s new Sustainability Reporting

“ Transparency builds trust. Without clear data, there can be no credibility in sustainability claims,” said the Prime Minister, signalling tighter oversight on ESG performance.