KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRECC) will forge close ties with state governments to ensure development activities can be balanced with the need for environmental conservation to achieve the national sustainability agenda.

The ministry announced in a statement that the matter was among those agreed upon during the meeting between Environmental Ministers and State Excos Responsible for the Environment (MEXCOE) No 1, 2023 that was held last Monday at Cyberview Resort & Spa, in Cyberjaya, Selangor.

The meeting, chaired by Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, also discussed cooperation to empower the comprehensive implementation of the low carbon city initiative to achieve the carbon reduction target through the programme by the ministry and Malaysian Green Technology & Climate Change Corporation (MGTC).

“The programme, including prioritising green acquisitions at local levels through the government green acquisition programme, participation in the 2030 Low Carbon City Challenge, development of the Sustainable Energy Management System and the Green House of Worship initiative, encouraging the management of greenhouse gasses at organisation level through Low Carbon Operating System (LCOS) and speeding up the installation of electric vehicle charging stations,” the statement said.

Also discussed was the National Environment Day on Oct 21, with national level celebrations being held in Johor and the organisation of the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2023 from Oct 4 to 6 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, themed “Race Towards Net Zero: Leadership for Climate Action”.

The ministry is also drafting main policies and processes regarding carbon markets under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement.

“Engagement sessions with stakeholders, including state governments must be held to ensure the implementation of carbon market mechanisms by public and private entities in Malaysia are in line with the UNFCCC’s decision and taking into consideration the interest of states in the country,” the statement read. – Bernama

Source: NST