PM SAYS THAT FAST-DEVELOPING NATIONS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN DRIVING CLIMATE ACTION Prime Minister Najib Razak says that fast-developing nations have an important role to play in driving climate action. In a speech at the International New York Times ‘Energy For Tomorrow’ Conference in Kuala Lumpur on 19 November 2014, the Prime Minister said: “I believe fast-developing nations like Malaysia have an important role to play in driving climate action. We can demonstrate that sustainable development isn’t an indulgence but can be a precursor for success. We can show other developing countries that economic growth and carbon emissions need not be correlated. And we can help bridge the trust gap between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries at the UN climate change negotiations.” He added: “Countries like ours - fast-developing nations in favour of ambitious action on climate change – are living proof that economy and environment can prosper together.” The Prime Minister stated that Malaysia can be flexible and fast-moving in the face of change. He said Malaysia embraces this change, “because it plays to our comparative advantage.” The Prime Minister highlighted measures being taken by Malaysia in driving climate action: “[We’re] promoting climate transparency with a new corporate emissions reporting policy. Encouraging more clean vehicles onto our roads and rationalising fuel subsidies. Supporting public transport, with a new mass rapid transit project designed to reduce carbon emissions. And committing to energy efficient construction – earlier this year, my own Department was recognised as one of the greenest buildings in Malaysia.” “We’re also investing in the startups and entrepreneurs who will make the next generation of energy technology. We’ve launched a venture capital fund to finance clean energy projects across South East Asia. Malaysia already builds much of the new energy infrastructure – from solar panels to energy-efficient lightbulbs.” “But we can be more than just the factory that builds the future – we can be the design studio, too. We want our green industries to deliver jobs, and to help us create a deeper knowledge economy. So we’ve got a range of policies to help our young entrepreneurs get the skills and support they need, and to help our SMEs to do green business.” In observing that 2015 will be a year of global climate action culminating in the Paris talks, the Prime Minister said: “But to get a deal, and to make that deal work, we need governments, businesses and people to really get on board with the possibilities of the new energy economy.” Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister outlined how Malaysia will play its part in the years ahead when he stated: “We will look to work with other fast-developing nations to show that climate action can be part of national development; that ambition brings opportunities, not costs. As the chair of ASEAN next year, we will advocate for sustainable growth and climate action. And we will enter the negotiations in Paris optimistic about securing cleaner energy for tomorrow.”
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:20:42 +0000
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