Latest news with #ClimateChangeBill
Barnama
2 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Proposed Climate Change Bill is a Bold Step Forward with Nature-Based Solutions
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) — Alliance for a Safe Community, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO), has welcomed the government's move to introduce a long-awaited Climate Change Bill, which will compel industries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with Malaysia's commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement. 'The Alliance urges the government to ensure the Climate Change Bill is inclusive, enforceable, and forward-looking — one that puts nature, people, and planet at the heart of its design. Its Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said in a statement recently that the legislation must serve not only as a tool for emission control but also as a blueprint for long-term environmental sustainability and resilience, especially as Malaysia began to feel the real impacts of climate change — extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and threats to food and water security. 'Let this Bill mark a turning point in our nation's journey toward environmental justice, economic resilience, and climate leadership,' said Lee. Last Friday, in Kuala Langat, Acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the proposed National Climate Change Bill will include incentives for companies that successfully reduce their carbon emissions. He said, among other things, the bill may also include provisions for the implementation of carbon credits, which would further support the national agenda to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The bill is still in the drafting stage and has yet to be presented to the Cabinet. Lee also proposed, the Bill should explicitly incorporate the following elements: Protection and Expansion of Carbon Sinks, Legal protection for remaining tropical rainforests, peat swamps, and coastal ecosystems, Large-scale reforestation and afforestation programmes in degraded areas. He suggested the bill should also include Incentives for community-based forest management and indigenous stewardship, Restoration of Critical Ecosystems, Funding and legal framework for mangrove restoration, river rehabilitation, and coral reef conservation and collaboration with NGOs, local councils, and universities in monitoring and maintaining ecological health. — BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Climate Change Bill must have nature-based solutions at its core
REDUCING industrial emissions through cleaner energy, energy efficiency and carbon pricing mechanisms is vital. But climate action must also integrate nature-based solutions to achieve meaningful outcomes. The Climate Change Bill that will be introduced soon should therefore incorporate the following elements: 1. Expansion of carbon sinks • Legal protection for remaining tropical rainforests, peat swamps and coastal ecosystems. • Large-scale reforestation and afforestation in degraded areas. • Incentives for community-based forest management and indigenous stewardship. 2. Restoration of critical ecosystems • Funding and legal framework for mangrove restoration, river rehabilitation and coral reef conservation. • Collaboration with non-governmental organisations, local councils and universities in monitoring and maintaining ecological health. 3. Sustainable land use and agriculture • Guidelines to reduce deforestation driven by agriculture and development. • Promotion of climate-smart and regenerative farming practices. • Establishment of a domestic carbon offset market tied to certified nature-based solutions' projects. The bill must also impose mandatory emissions' reporting, sectoral targets and compliance mechanisms for high-emitting industries such as energy, transport and manufacturing. The creation of a green transition fund should be considered to help industries shift towards greener technologies and processes. The government must ensure the bill is inclusive, enforceable and forward-looking. Let it mark a turning point in our nation's journey towards environmental justice, economic resilience and climate leadership.
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Strong support for proposed Climate Change Bill
KUALA LUMPUR: The Alliance for a Safe Community has voiced strong support for the government's proposed Climate Change Bill, calling it a 'bold step forward' in Malaysia's ongoing efforts to combat global warming. Its chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye ( pic ), said the long-awaited legislation must go beyond emission reduction and act as a national blueprint for long-term environmental sustainability and resilience. 'This landmark Bill is timely, as Malaysia begins to feel the very real impacts of climate change, from extreme weather and biodiversity loss to food and water insecurity,' he said when contacted on Sunday (July 20). While commending the government's move to compel industries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with Malaysia's commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement, Lee stressed the need to embed nature-based solutions at the core of climate action. 'Forests, peatlands, mangroves, and wetlands are our country's natural assets. "They play a critical role not just in carbon sequestration, but also in protecting communities from floods and preserving biodiversity,' he lamented. He outlined several key elements that the bill should have, including legal protection for remaining tropical rainforests, peat swamps and coastal ecosystems. "Large-scale reforestation and afforestation efforts. "Incentives for indigenous stewardship and community-based forest management," he said. Lee said legal and financial backing should be given for mangrove restoration, river rehabilitation, and coral reef protection. "Cross-sector collaboration involving NGOs, local authorities, and academia should be ramped up for ongoing ecological monitoring," he said. He also called for the introduction of national guidelines to curb deforestation linked to development and agriculture. "At the same time, promotion of regenerative and climate-smart farming techniques should be conducted," he said. Lee said mandatory emissions reporting, clearly defined sectoral targets, and strict compliance mechanisms should be introduced, especially for high-emission industries such as energy, transport and manufacturing. "We also propose the creation of a Green Transition Fund to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in adopting greener technologies and practices. "Malaysia is uniquely placed, with rich biodiversity and natural ecosystems that can be part of the solution. 'A climate law that marries technology with nature is not only more effective, it is more equitable," he said.
The Star
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Time running out for Sabah to take control of its carbon sovereignty, activists and state reps warn
KOTA KINABALU: Environmental groups and state leaders want Sabah to assert its rights before the Climate Change Bill is tabled in Parliament this year or risk losing control of its carbon assets, just as it did with oil and gas. They warn that without firm state legislation in place, Sabah may be forced to comply with federal climate policies drafted without its full input, repeating past mistakes that cost the state control over petroleum, palm oil, and its territorial seas. The state does not have a clear carbon policy even after the Sabah Climate Action Council was set up last year, they noted. Concerns are also mounting that Putrajaya may fast-track national climate laws that override state jurisdiction, weakening Sabah's ability to manage its own forests – the very ecosystems that make it Malaysia's largest carbon sink. Environmental NGO Future Alam Borneo chairman Anton Ngui said Sabah must act decisively before it is too late. "If we fail to assert our rights over our carbon resources, we risk losing control over one of our most valuable assets. 'Sabah is a net carbon sink, and we should be in a leadership position when it comes to national climate decisions and international representation,' he said in a statement on Wednesday (July 2). Anton said Sabah's ecological advantage is also an untapped economic opportunity that could push the state forward in climate finance, green technology and sustainability-linked investment. 'There is an opportunity here for Sabah to be in a globally significant position. This can complement our labour-intensive agriculture sector and sputtering industrialisation plan,' he said. He urged Sabah leaders to be 'on the ball' and insist on strong state representation at the federal level. 'Once again, we are staring at the possibility of Sabah being legislated out of its own forests if we remain slow or silent," he said. Earlier this year, Sabah Climate Change adviser Datuk Darrel Webber, when speaking at the Carbon Sovereign Sabah (CSS) briefing, said Sabah's decades-long forest conservation efforts have made it a vital carbon sink that offsets emissions from other regions. 'It is crucial that Sabah does not lose its ability to manage these resources. Once control is lost, it is very difficult to reclaim,' he warned. Tungku assemblyman Assaffal Panglima Alian echoed these concerns and called for stronger, state-led legal frameworks to protect Sabah's interests. Senator Datuk Nelson Wences Angang said that while federal climate efforts are commendable, Sabah must have a seat at the table to ensure its rights are not sidelined. WWF-Malaysia's head of conservation for Sabah, Dr Robecca Jumin, noted that Sabah had already taken a step forward by amending its Forest Enactment 1968 to pave the way for carbon governance. 'But delays in building on that momentum could weaken Sabah's position, especially once federal laws are in place,' she said. Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan also addressed the issue in the state assembly in June last year, warning that Sabah must move quickly to pass its own carbon legislation or risk being boxed in by national policies.
New Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Cabinet approves Climate Change Bill for tabling in parliament
KUALA LUMPUR: The cabinet has approved the Climate Change Bill to be tabled in parliament. Setiawangsa member of parliament Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced this at the launch of Royal Selangor Eco Week 2025 this morning.
