Reviews on existing climate change policies began today as policymakers, local and international experts gathered in Kuala Lumpur to assess adaptation and mitigation strategies at the country’s first national-level conference.

The discussions held at the UNDP-Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MNRE) Conference on Climate Change Preparedness: Towards Policy Changes, aimed to take stock of Malaysia’s efforts in addressing climate change ahead of negotiations at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)’s 13th Conference of Parties Summit slated for December in Bali.

The conference, organized with the support of the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications, the Energy Centre Malaysia and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) drew the participation of over 200 representatives from major arms of the government, non-governmental organizations, academia, the private sector and civil society.

During his Welcome Address at the Opening Event, Dr. Richard Leete, UNDP Resident Representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam highlighted that the international community now recognized the urgency of translating the broad scientific consensus on climate change into broad political consensus for action.

“Climate change is a high priority development focus that is squarely at the forefront of international and national concerns. The debate has shifted from questions about whether we can do anything about climate change to the conviction that we cannot afford not to do so,” he said.

“The effects of climate change are especially critical to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Tackling climate change requires scaling-up efforts to help developing countries invest and adapt to its immediate consequences. Rich and poor countries must be committed to finding solutions and creating a sustainable planet for all,” Dr. Leete added.

The conference was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment. In his Opening Remarks, the Minister said, “Concerted efforts by all stakeholders are important and necessary to assess and address the issue of climate change in Malaysia.”

“Adaptation strategies for Malaysia are required to prepare the nation for climate change. A more integrated approach will be taken in planning and development programmes to reduce the impact of disasters, strengthen coordination between ministries and agencies,” the Honourable Minister said.

UNDP Celebrity Partner, Joanna Bessey, in her address to the audience, spotlighted the role of the public in reducing their ecological footprint, “Preparing for climate change and creating policy changes that shall help to reverse the dwindling spiral we are facing with regards to the environment we are living in and creating, has never been more timely.”

“Every action we take, from where we build our house, to how we supply ourselves with water, to how much electricity we use, to every tree we cut and rainforest we destroy, to how much we drive our cars and burn fossil fuels like petrol, whether or not we recycle, all has an affect on our environment and therefore when we make wise choices as consumers, we can reduce the negative impact,” she added.

During the event, Y.B. Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid launched the latest UNDP publication, titled, “Malaysia’s Renewable Energy Generation from Palm Oil Wastes.”

The morning session of the conference focused on mitigation efforts and challenges ahead. Marcel Alers, Climate Change Manager, UNDP-GEF delivered the keynote address which highlighted the effects of climate change on developing countries around the world and the role of UNDP-GEF in spearheading positive climate change action with clear development objectives.

The afternoon session examined various adaptation strategies needed to safeguard the country’s climate-sensitive sectors and economic and social development.

The conference, which concluded late Tuesday, will culminate in recommendations for early-warning weather systems, flood-defense mechanisms, greater adoption of energy efficiency practices, increased utilization of renewable energy, solid waste management and transportation.

For a summary of the conference proceedings, click here.

To download the presentations from the conference, please click:
a) Energy Sector Embracing Climate Change - by Pusat Tenaga Malaysia
b) Malaysia's Environmental Performance since Independent - by CETDEM
c) Solid Waste Management - by National Solid Waste Department
d) GHG Inventory and CDM - by Pusat Tenage Malaysia
e) Early Notification on Extreme Weather Condition - by Malaysian Meteorological Department (15MB)
f) Water Coastal Management - by Ir. Hj. Ahmad Jamalluddin Shaaban
g) Climate Change and Food Security - by MARDI
h) Climate change and Health: Future Scenarios in Malaysia - by MOH
i) Potential Impact of Climate Change on the Development and Growth of the Economy - by Department of Geography, UM (10MB)
Keynote - Climate Change in Developing Countries and International Perspective - by UNDP-GEF, New York
A Step Beyond: Mitigating the Impacts of Adaptation to Climate Change - by NCAR

News of the conference was carried in The Star, Bernama (1 , 2 ), News Straits Times, Associated Press, AFP, The Sun, Reuters, Sin Chew Daily, television stations Bernama TV and NHK and radio stations Radio 24 and RTM.