KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s green transition must balance emissions reduction with energy security, affordability and the protection of livelihoods, while ensuring that no segment of society is left behind, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said Malaysia’s commitment under its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) targets an absolute reduction of 15 to 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035 from the country’s peak emissions level.
“Countries have different starting points, economic structures and development needs. We must reduce emissions while safeguarding energy security, affordability and livelihoods. The transition must proceed in an orderly manner, with people’s wellbeing at its centre,” he said.
Fadillah who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation said this when opening the 17th International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2026, held alongside the Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit (KLSS) 2026 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, here today.
He added that the target comprised an unconditional reduction of up to 20 million tonnes, with a further 10 million tonnes conditional upon international support through climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building.
The green transition, he said must also create opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are the backbone of Malaysia’s economic strength through their contribution to jobs, communities and industrial supply chains.
Meanwhile Fadillah said the government was supporting green investment and enterprise development through initiatives including the Green Technology Financing Scheme 5.0 and Green Investment Tax Allowance, while stressing that these measures must be backed by sound project preparation and effective implementation.
He said Malaysia’s National Marginal Abatement Cost Curve showed that about 70 per cent of the assessed emissions reduction potential could be achieved through measures involving negative or low abatement costs, providing a practical basis to accelerate climate action.
“Through the National Carbon Market Policy and platforms such as IGEM, we can strengthen cooperation between technology providers, project developers and investors, turning identified opportunities into projects with measurable outcomes,” he said.
At the regional level, Fadillah said Malaysia remained committed to advancing electricity connectivity through the ASEAN Power Grid, with initiatives such as the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project and Energy Exchange Malaysia (ENEGEM) supporting clean electricity trade and energy security.
He said the transition must also be supported by a strong talent pipeline, with technical and vocational education and training, university-industry collaboration and reskilling opportunities aligned with the needs of emerging green industries.
Fadillah said digital technologies including artificial intelligence, data analytics and smart automation could support the green transition by improving grid management, energy efficiency and decision-making, while digital infrastructure must also use energy and water efficiently.
He said achieving Malaysia’s green ambitions required a whole-of-nation approach involving the government, industry, financial institutions, research institutions, state governments and local communities to ensure green initiatives translated into investment, deployment and tangible results.
Also present were Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and NRES Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh.
The 17th edition of IGEM, themed “Race Towards Net Zero: Action Beyond Boundaries”, is being held from Oct 7 to 9 in Kuala Lumpur.
It is organised by NRES and its agency, Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC).
-- BERNAMA