New Straits Times 9 Oct 11;
KUCHING: The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is to develop an environmental performance index as a yardstick to gauge the environmental management performance of every state next year.
Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas said the Malaysia Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2012 would be developed in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) under the 10th Malaysia Plan.
He said the cabinet had agreed to the ministry's proposal which also had the support of various federal agencies.
"At the moment, we do not have an indicator on the public's response to environmental issues, such as climate change, the performances of local bodies like the City South Hall in managing solid and sewage waste disposal and the number of acreage of trees planted here."
Speaking after officiating at the Division Journalists Association Car Boot Sale and Sports Day at the Integrated Sports Complex here, he said the index would also help the ministry in terms of resource and manpower allocations.
He said Malaysia was ranked 54th among 163 countries under the Global EPI 2010, based on quantitative data obtained from the World Health Organisation, United Nations Global Environmental Monitoring System, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and academia.
The Malaysia EPI 2012 would also address issues pertaining to socio-economic sustainability, resources efficiency, environmental governance, and environmental awareness and behaviour.
On the 2012 Budget announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Uggah said his ministry was happy with the allocation of RM2 billion for flood-mitigation projects. -- Bernama
Govt gives nod to Environmental Performance Index
The Borneo Post 10 Oct 11;
KUCHING: The Federal Cabinet has agreed to set up an Environmental Performance Index (EPI) under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) to enhance socio-economic sustainability.
EPI Malaysia 2012 is expected to focus on three major areas, namely resources efficiency, environmental governance, and environmental awareness and behaviour.
It will be a collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) for the year 2012, revealed Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas.
“Environmental issues are more and more in the forefront now. The way we manage our environment must be reflected in the global arena.
“If you ask me how MBKS (Kuching South City Council) is doing in terms of protecting the environment, details about waste disposal, river quality, how many trees planted, and so on, I may need to refer to the respective agencies.
“With this EPI, the measurements should indicate these to enable the ministry to be more efficient in allocating resources in terms of manpower and funds,” he told reporters covering the charity car boot sale and Sports Day organised by Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA) at the Integrated Sports Complex here yesterday.
Uggah pointed out that Malaysia was ranked 54th among 163 countries in the EPI Global 2010.
EPI represented an instrument to measure environmental performance by gathering quantitative data, he
explained.
A group of experts from Yale University and Columbia University, working closely with the World Economic Forum, established the instrument, according to a media release.
It added that the input data for EPI Global was obtained from several sources, including World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), governments and academics.
EPI quantitative values were formed based on two major environmental management objectives, namely environmental health and ecosystem vitality.
Also present at the event yesterday were Integrated Sports Complex manager Datuk Patrick Liew and KDJA chairperson Alice Wee.
