Najib renews pledge for a greener Malaysia

Noting that environmental protection is close to his heart, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has renewed his pledge for a greener Malaysia.

Writing on his blogsite in conjunction with the World Environment Day today, he said Malaysia was already a major producer of clean energy products such as solar panels and efficient LED lighting.

"This year, we increased funding for the Green Technology Financing Scheme by RM2 billion to incentivise the production and utilisation of green technology-based products.

"Moreover, with the introduction of GreenTech Malaysia's carbon footprint labelling scheme, consumers will soon be empowered to make informed environmental decisions about the goods and services they buy," Najib said.

The prime minister drove home the point that Malaysia's stance was clear as far as environmental protection and preservation were concerned.

"Firstly, we have a target to ensure that 50 per cent of Malaysia remains permanent forest to protect our country's outstanding biodiversity," he said.

"Secondly, we've pledged a 40 per cent cut in our emissions intensity by 2020 from 2005 levels, to ensure our economic growth is compatible with a stable climate, and we are on track to meet our goal," he added.

Najib said the risks of climate change were well known -- more intense weather, changing rainfalls and rising oceans.

"These changes will result in competition for new resources, territorial change and disruption to trade patterns, all of which have the potential to cause conflict between nations," he said.

He said for climate vulnerable parts of the planet, global warming was already a major security threat.

"How we protect our planet will affect not just us, but our children and grandchildren too. We must ensure we bequeath them a world worth inheriting," the prime minister said.

"This World Environment Day, I would like to renew my pledge for a greener Malaysia, a legacy I can be proud of leaving not only to my children, but to the people's children as well," he added.

The World Environment Day celebration began in 1972 and has grown to become one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action.