Malaysia’s land mass is forested at 56.4 per cent while its green cover stands at 74 per cent, a strong signal to the world that it walks the talk in reducing carbon emission.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Malaysia was committed to a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emission per unit of gross domestic product by 2020, using the 2005 level as a baseline.
This, however, is subject to technology transfer and new additional funding from developed nations.
Najib, who is also the finance minister, added that the new economic model introduced in 2010 outlined the country’s commitment to sustainability, not only in activities but the impact of development on environment and natural resources.
In his keynote address at a high-level forum on Biodiversity and Development Post 2015, he also said Malaysia was committed to striking a balance between environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Saying it had not always been an easy path to achieve the balance, especially for a developing nation, Najib added: “In Malaysia, we look for ways to achieve twin goals of development and environmental protection, realising fully well that it is a difficult and delicate equilibrium to achieve.
“If we look around the world, many high-income nations achieved prosperity at the expense of the environment, not in concert with it. We take lessons from the experience of others and we are dedicated to striking that delicate balance.”
He said Malaysia was among 189 United Nations member countries that had met all the eight targets in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The MDGs were introduced during the UN Millennium summit in New York in September 2000.
Najib said Malaysia had done well, adding the development agenda under the MDGs needed a sustained commitment.
