Straits Times 30 Nov 07;
CARBON emissions in Malaysia have increased by 221 per cent since 1990, the highest growth rate among the world's top polluters, the United Nations said yesterday, as it urged the government to control climate-changing gases more vigorously.
Malaysia, which has transformed from an agricultural economy into an industrialised one in the past four decades, is now ranked the 26th largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, said Mr Richard Leete, the regional representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
'Clearly, there is a case for the government to consider a new policy on climate change issues,' Mr Leete said at the Malaysian launch of the UNDP's annual report on the state of the world.
The report was first released in Brazil earlier this week.
'Malaysia has made a positive start in reducing its carbon footprint...but Malaysia must do more,' he said.
The United Nations development report said carbon dioxide emissions increased by 221 per cent from 1990 to 2004 in Malaysia, the highest growth rate among the world's top 30 carbon dioxide emitters. with 0.4 per cent of the world's population, Malaysia's 27 million people accounted for 0.6 per cent of global emissions.
Associated Press
