Malaysia: Reduction of carbon footprint achievable

The Star 9 Nov 10;

KUCHING: Malaysia is right on track to meet its target of a voluntary 40% reduction of carbon emission intensity by 2020.

Natural Resources and Environment Minis­ter Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas said the pledge, which was based on the 2005 level and made during the last Copenhagen meeting, was achievable.

On the forthcoming 16th conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change in Mexico, he anticipated a complicated and difficult session in seeking views and commitment among the developed and developing nations in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

“In coming out with an all-inclusive but differentiated responsibility, each nation and its leader has to be truthful, unbiased and not indulge in self-interest action. Developing countries, like Malaysia, should not be blamed or be handicapped from achieving its goal of development through lop-sided commitment and agreement,” Uggah said in a speech to open the “Best of Both Worlds’’ conference here yesterday.

He said developed countries should focus on the real issue and not use economic and bureaucratic constraints as an excuse for failing in its targeted and agreed commitment.

His speech at the three-day event themed “Effective Environmental Education for Biodiversity Conservation” was read by Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri, who is the chairman of the Malaysia Forestry Research and Deve­lopment Board.

About 100 participants, mostly teachers, park and recreation area managers, academicians and foreigners, are attending the event jointly organised by Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and University of South Africa (Unisa).

Uggah said his ministry had spearheaded action-oriented works to tackle the multiple issues related to environment and biodiversity. He said a Certificate Environmental Education (CEE) training programme would be implemented next year.

“The programme will fill the gap in the country’s training needs, especially for pre-service and in-service teachers and environmental practitioners by providing them with a strong foundation in environmental education,’’ he added.

The CEE programme is a collaborative work between Unisa, FRIM and Edutree, a non-governmental organisation.

On completion of the one-year course, students will receive a certificate from Unisa, one of the world’s largest distance learning universities. The course’s practical components will be conducted by FRIM and Edutree Services.

Earlier in his speech, FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Latif Mohmod said the best way to promote awareness for biodiversity conservation and environmental responsible behaviour was through environmental education.

He said FRIM worked closely with stakeholders at all levels on environmental education and conservation efforts.

One of the joint projects FRIM had undertaken with the Education Ministry, Forestry Department, Malaysian Timber Industry Board, Malaysia Timber Council and Malaysia Nature Society was the planting of forest trees involving 17 schools.