BERNAMA New Straits Times 28 Nov 16;
ASHGABAT: Malaysia is on track to achieving the global sustainable development goals (SDG) agenda, particularly in the transport sector, based on the country’s current development strategies and goals.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab. Aziz Kaprawi said in supporting the SDG agenda on climate change, Malaysia was committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 43 per cent by 2030.
“The commitment is conditional to technology transfer and financial support from developed countries,” he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Global Sustainable Transport Conference here, today.
While Malaysia’s development plans are extensive, Aziz said it was also important to examine areas where the SDG could further enrich it.
“This is to ensure Malaysia’s development aspirations are aligned comprehensively to the post 2030 agenda,” he added.
Aziz was one of the speakers at the plenary session of the conference.
In his speech, he stressed four key areas that Malaysia would be focusing in pursuing green growth for sustainability and resilience.
They are, strengthening the enabling environment for green growth, adopting the sustainable consumption and production concept, conserving natural resources for present and future generations and strengthening resilience against climate change and natural disasters.
“The transportation sector in Malaysia accounts for about 35 per cent of the total energy consumed nationally, and produced nearly 50 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2015, second only to power generation.
“Of this, 85.2 per cent of transportation emissions came from road transport.
“This is due to the high rate of personal automobile ownership, where cars account for about 59 per cent of the overall emissions from transport, while freight contributed 27 per cent,” Aziz said.
In facing these challenges, he said a strategy adopted for the sustainable consumption and production concept under the 11th Malaysia Plan, was to encourage low carbon mobility.
“This, is in line with SDG’s goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impact.” he added.
Organised by the Turkmenistan government, the two-day conference from last Saturday, gathered key government stakeholders from more than 80 countries, the United Nations and international organisations.
They engaged in dialogue and exchanged knowledge, made commitments and discussed plans on implementing sustainable transport. -- Bernama
