Malaysia needs a green purchasing law that makes it mandatory for the Government and private sector to purchase eco-friendly products and services, said Prof Ryoichi Yamamoto.
The green technology expert said the Government, as the largest consumer, served as a role model in showing its commitment towards combating climate change through green public procurement (GPP).
He said Japan had passed this and also a green contract law to help it push the use of eco-technology to reduce energy consumption.
Prof Yamamoto, who is International Green Purchasing Net-work (IGPN) chairman, lauded the Government’s efforts to push green technology forward.
He praised initiatives such as the setting up of the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry in 2009 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak specifically to address environmental pollution and climate change.
“This is a splendid thing. There has never been a ministry specifically for that in the world,” he said recently.
Describing Malaysia as “very active and aggressive in pursuing this agenda”, Prof Yamamoto said IGPN had decided to set up its first office outside of Japan here.
The Green Purchasing Network Malaysia is a non-governmental organisation that promotes green purchasing under the umbrella body of IGPN since 2003.
