18 COVER STORY
@ green | September-October , 2022
Calling a spade a spade
Let ’ s not sidestep issues with nicely-worded greenwashing
BY CK TANG
THE Malaysia National Energy Policy was published recently . Anyone can download the document from Economic Planning Unit ( EPU ) website . It is a document on energy policy in Malaysia with vision and objectives , targets , enablers , and emerging technologies to be considered .
It also listed the policy benefits to our economy , society ( job creation ), and environment . Finally , each enabler in the policy was assigned to a leading and supporting agency to drive it . It has all the necessary inspirational wordings on job and wealth creation , a cleaner energy mix , and improving environmental sustainability .
However , the details showed a different story . A close analysis of just two charts , the Primary energy mix target of the Low Carbon Nation Aspiration ( LCNA ) 2040 and the proposed roadmap , Implementation of the LCNA 2040 , in this policy document , showed a total lack of ambition to reduce carbon emission in Malaysia .
The projected energy mix by 2040 in this policy document showed that renewable energy from solar and bioenergy will grow from one per cent in 2018 to eight per cent by 2040 . It is a meagre ambition to develop the renewable energy sector in Malaysia .
In comparison , Nigeria ’ s renewable energy is nearing 10 per cent today . Nigeria has targeted to reach 36 per cent by 2030 . Indonesia has targeted 28 per cent renewable energy by 2038 . India has a goal of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030 .
Although hydroelectric was projected to grow from six per cent in 2018 to nine per cent in 2040 , recent studies showed that hydroelectric in a hot tropical climate may emit as much carbon as fossil fuel . Emerging studies showed that hydro dam releases sequestered carbon / methane from the soil that should have been left undisturbed at the bottom of deep dams . Based on this latest information , hydropower in Malaysia is likely to have high carbon emissions .
With these considerations , Malaysia , in 2040 , will have 92 per cent dirty energy and eight per cent clean energy . With these numbers , are we qualified to call ourselves a Low Carbon Nation in 2040 ?
Malaysian must be clear on this . There are signs of trade barriers for high carbon emission nations . Plus , buying carbon offset without emphasising energy efficiency and renewable energy to go Net Zero is too expensive and will make Malaysia uncompetitive .
A carbon offset is costly because it is an unnecessary annual tax to do business .