BERNAMA January 18, 2010 18:40 PM
ABU DHABI, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Despite failing to rise to the occasion during the climate talks in Copenhagen, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the international community must and can do better to ensure a healthy planet earth.
The Malaysian prime minister stressed that the challenge was to act now before it was a case of "too little, too late".
Najib acknowledged that addressing the voracious global appetite for energy seemed daunting but it was a responsibility that could neither be shirked nor abdicated.
"It's the challenge of our times that requires a concerted effort in harnessing the global reservoir of scientific and intellectual capital," he said in his keynote address at the World Future Energy Summit which opened at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre here Monday.
Najib said Malaysia's embracing of green technology was not only to conserve and preserve its resources, but it was also envisaged to act as a new economic impetus for the country.
Malaysia, he said, would be looking at four main sectors to implement green technologies, namely energy, transport, buildings and water.
Najib shared with his audience that Malaysia aimed to raise renewable energy to about 2,000MW by 2020 compared to the current 50MW.
He said the country's Small Renewable Energy Programme provided for a higher purchasing price for electricity generated under this initiative by the grid operator.
"We're currently in the process of instituting a renewable energy law and one of the mechanisms we're looking into is 'feed-in tariffs' to promote the usage of this type of energy," Najib said.
He noted that there was more than enough sunlight in Malaysia and increased use of solar power would be promoted aggressively.
Najib told the conference that a study had been commissioned to restructure and realign the Malaysian electricity sector.
"The findings will help lay the foundation for a more efficient industry through market mechanisms and liberalisation," he said.
The prime minister mentioned that the government was also seriously looking into expanding the usage of biofuel with a pilot project well underway.
In addition, the introduction of the Green Building Index would hopefully see more buildings going green in Malaysian soon.
Najib pointed out that Malaysia had created the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry early last year to spearhead the country's transformation into a green nation.
He said countries promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, like Malaysia, should increase the breadth and depth of the initiatives taken to reflect the urgency of the challenge confronting them.
"We have to adopt green technologies to not only enhance efficiency and effectiveness of energy use, but also to effectively mitigate carbon emissions," he noted.
Najib said for developing economies, this was an area where developed nations of the world could lend a much needed help.
Recalling the failure in Copenhagen to reach a new climate deal, Najib said: "We have time and time again chosen to take the path of expediency rather than boldly taking the bull by the horns and do what is needed and necessary to address the threat of climate change."
According to the prime minister, the Abu Dhabi energy summit could not have been better timed, allowing the stakeholders to take stock of the critical task before them.
"Hopefully, we will all leave Abu Dhabi energised, with renewed hope and vigour," said Najib who is on an official visit to Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
"Our planet can no longer withstand man's unsustainable consumption and wastage. It's our moral responsibility to bequeath to our children a more pristine and healthy planet," he added.
-- BERNAMA
The Malaysian prime minister stressed that the challenge was to act now before it was a case of "too little, too late".
Najib acknowledged that addressing the voracious global appetite for energy seemed daunting but it was a responsibility that could neither be shirked nor abdicated.
"It's the challenge of our times that requires a concerted effort in harnessing the global reservoir of scientific and intellectual capital," he said in his keynote address at the World Future Energy Summit which opened at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre here Monday.
Najib said Malaysia's embracing of green technology was not only to conserve and preserve its resources, but it was also envisaged to act as a new economic impetus for the country.
Malaysia, he said, would be looking at four main sectors to implement green technologies, namely energy, transport, buildings and water.
Najib shared with his audience that Malaysia aimed to raise renewable energy to about 2,000MW by 2020 compared to the current 50MW.
He said the country's Small Renewable Energy Programme provided for a higher purchasing price for electricity generated under this initiative by the grid operator.
"We're currently in the process of instituting a renewable energy law and one of the mechanisms we're looking into is 'feed-in tariffs' to promote the usage of this type of energy," Najib said.
He noted that there was more than enough sunlight in Malaysia and increased use of solar power would be promoted aggressively.
Najib told the conference that a study had been commissioned to restructure and realign the Malaysian electricity sector.
"The findings will help lay the foundation for a more efficient industry through market mechanisms and liberalisation," he said.
The prime minister mentioned that the government was also seriously looking into expanding the usage of biofuel with a pilot project well underway.
In addition, the introduction of the Green Building Index would hopefully see more buildings going green in Malaysian soon.
Najib pointed out that Malaysia had created the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry early last year to spearhead the country's transformation into a green nation.
He said countries promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, like Malaysia, should increase the breadth and depth of the initiatives taken to reflect the urgency of the challenge confronting them.
"We have to adopt green technologies to not only enhance efficiency and effectiveness of energy use, but also to effectively mitigate carbon emissions," he noted.
Najib said for developing economies, this was an area where developed nations of the world could lend a much needed help.
Recalling the failure in Copenhagen to reach a new climate deal, Najib said: "We have time and time again chosen to take the path of expediency rather than boldly taking the bull by the horns and do what is needed and necessary to address the threat of climate change."
According to the prime minister, the Abu Dhabi energy summit could not have been better timed, allowing the stakeholders to take stock of the critical task before them.
"Hopefully, we will all leave Abu Dhabi energised, with renewed hope and vigour," said Najib who is on an official visit to Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
"Our planet can no longer withstand man's unsustainable consumption and wastage. It's our moral responsibility to bequeath to our children a more pristine and healthy planet," he added.
-- BERNAMA
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