DPM: Govt, private sector must share common goal

0

KUALA LUMPUR: The government and the private sector must share a common action plan for green technology to be successful, given the limited time and resources available, says Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin.

GREEN FUTURE: Chin (second left) opening the ‘International Green Technology and Green Purchasing Conference Malaysia’ (IGEM2010) in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama photo

Numerous opportunities waiting to be tapped in green technology

He said numerous tangible opportunities are waiting to be tapped by the private sector and there was a need, under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), to increase renewable energy by about 3.0 gigawatts in 2020.

“This translates to a revenue opportunity of about RM2.5 billion,” he said in his keynote address at the two-day International Green Technology and Purchasing Conference 2010 (IGPTC 2010) here yesterday.

His speech was read by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.

Muhyiddin also said, educating the public via green ratings and ecolabeling, is a vital start in securing public buy-in, into the green economy.

“In line with this need, ecolabelling for local products embarked on by SIRIM, would be the platform for domestic businesses to participate in niche domestic and overseas market,” he added.

On becoming a low carbon nation for environmental sustainability, he said Cyberjaya and Putrajaya, are at the forefront of the government’s efforts at green townships.

“This is as part of the development of Green Corridors or Real Estate Townships, which is the next phase in becoming a low carbon nation.

“The well tested carbonfootprint guidelines in these townships can be applied in developing new green townships throughout the country,” he added.

According to Muhyiddin, as access to funding and technology is paramount to the pursuit of green growth, greater assistance by developed countries, through funding and facilitating technology transfer and capacity building would substantially improve the outcome of developing countries in green efforts.

“The implementation of a globally focused and well coordinated low carbon growth plan is a matter of urgency,” he highlighted.

Meanwhile, at a press conference, Chin, touching on the eco-labelling of products, said the government together with SIRIM is working on rolling out more products in stages.

“We are working on it. It is currently in the final stage.

We hope to widen coverage of eco-labelling on the path to a green economy.

“Eco-labelling will not only advance the government’s green initiative.It will also help local manufacturers export their products while finding a ready market locally among the environment-conscious populace,” he added.

He also said by moving further into the ecolabelling of products, he is positive, it would attract more countries in dealing with Malaysia.

To date, 15 products, mainly electrical and electronics products such as refrigerators, have been given this certification by SIRIM and are available in the market.— Bernama