Tunku Abdul Rahman speech at the 1st Muslim Summit 1969

GREEN TECHNOLOGY

INNOVATIVE WAY TO SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH

“The policy seeks to promote low-carbon technology and ensure sustainable development while conserving the natural environment and resources”

The National Green Technology Policy is set to play a crucial role in charting the country’s development where green technology will be an innovative way to spur economic growth. Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, in his speech at the launch of the Green Technology Policy on 24 July 2009, said this technology will offer economic-generating opportunities and potential apart from innovation, creation of wealth as well as high-paying jobs.

Earlier, in April 2009, Dato’ Sri Najib announced the newly established Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry (KeTTHA) in tandem with the government’s stand to promote Green Technology to reduce the country’s carbon emissions that is detrimental to the environment.

The launching of the National Green Technology Policy showed the government’s determination to incorporate Green Technology principles in developing the nation’s economy. Green Technology is significant to the national economic growth in the effort to achieve sustainable development.

National Green Technology Policy is based on four fundamentals. The first is to attain energy independence and to promote efficient utilisation while the second is to conserve and minimise the impact on the environment. The third is to enhance the national economic development through the use of technology while the fourth fundamental is on the social aspect that is to improve the quality of life for all.

National Green Technology Policy is a reference to the setting up of legislative and regulatory framework that would support development of Green Technologies and promote a culture of resource-use optimisation.

The policy also outlines five significant objectives mainly to minimise growth of energy consumption while enhancing economic development; to facilitate the growth of the Green Technology industry and augment its contribution to the national economy; to increase national capability and capacity for innovation in Green Technology development and improves Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global arena; to ensure sustainable development and conserve the environment for the future generations; and to boost public education and awareness in Green Technology and promote its prevalent application.

Besides implementing the Green Technology Policy, Malaysia’s resolve in environmental issues was showcased through the pledge given by the Prime Minister against climate changes at the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit last December. Malaysia made the pledge to reduce carbon emissions from 187 million tonnes in 2005 to 74.8 million tonnes in 2020 – a 40% cut.

In order to realise the commitments, the Government has allocated RM1.5 billion as the Green Technology Fund to encourage development of green industries and application of green practises in the work process. Furthermore, the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry is taking comprehensive steps in promoting Green Technology application as well as the production of green products and services with the intention to enhance the nation’s competitiveness in the global arena.

The first go green step is the Green Building Index (GBI) certification as an encouragement for homes and businesses to switch to application of eco-friendly homes and buildings. The buyer and the owner of the house or building with GBI certification will enjoy income tax exemption and charge waiver as the incentives.

The Malaysia Energy Centre is the first building that has been accredited as Green Energy Office (GEO) based on the criteria specified by the GBI developed by Green Building Index Sdn. Bhd. under the supervision of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) dan Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM).

Apart from the integration of the efficient and renewable energy usage at the early construction, the Malaysia Energy Centre is well equipped with eco-friendly elements such as efficient water and energy usage, use of solar energy, roof and wall insulations in the building and the use of natural lights and also application of rainwater harvest system.

Experts believed that Malaysia is taking a right step at the right time by encouraging the development of green industries, as the country will enjoy sustainable development while conserving the environment for future generations.

Go Green. Our future generations must not have less than what we have now.