M'SIA HAS BRIGHT PROSPECTS TO REDUCE 40 PCT CARBON FOOTPRINT BY 2020

By Wan Nor Azura Mior Abd Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -– Malaysia has bright prospects to reduce
its carbon footprint by 40 per cent by 2020 if companies install the necessary
equipment and embrace the right systems in protecting rainforests to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

"We can also use satellite systems to monitor emissions in targeted
industries. We must use science in embracing green technology," said Ir J.S.
Bhar of Cosmoscape Sdn Bhd, the principal partner of Rainforest Strategy.

Rainforest Strategy is a programme designed to empower companies with ways
to use nature to boost productivity while protecting the environment.

It helps the participants understand rainforests and the abundance they
produce from relative scarcity while discussing critical issues transforming
their industries.

It also teaches them to help individuals and organisations to get more done
with less stress, while growing profits and eliminating waste.

Cosmoscape will unveil the Rainforest Strategy programme which will reveal
the adaptation of truths of the rainforest in an unimaginable and fascinating
manner at the Royal Mulu Resort, Sarawak, from June 13 to 17.

On the same note, the team is promoting green and evironmental issues and
how leaders today can improve their conservation and sustainability efforts.

Bhar said it was vital to start proper enforcement in reducing GHG through
programmes headed by people who are passionate about protecting rainforests.

Urging for enforcement to be both a public-private sector initiative, he
said: "Let us not just talk about it, let us walk the talk as soon as possible
in protecting rainforests".

"Enforcement is very important here and the overall responsibility should be
placed on a governing body made up of leading scientists, naturalists,
environmentalists and engineers.

"We are prepared to implement a system whereby the carbon emissions from
companies and their industrial activities can be monitored, but we need
government to support its implemention," Bhar told Bernama in an interview.

In December last year, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced
in Copenhagen that Malaysia would be adopting an indicator of voluntary
reduction of up to 40 per cent in terms of emissions intensity of GDP (Gross
Domestic Product) by 2020 compared with 2005 levels.

The cut was conditional on receiving the transfer of technology and adequate
financing from the developed world.

To ensure the strategy works, Bhar said, government-linked companies and
large corporations having palm oil mills, refineries and chemical plants should
take the lead.

"The strategy enlightens us on good corporate business management priciples
to grow through proper managed sustainability and green initiatives. The
popularity of going green in all aspects of personal and professional life has
made carbon credits an important concept," he said.

Carbon credits are designed to reduce greenhouse emissions and combat
negative climate changes, and companies would have a certification process at
their disposal which will show their compliance to green and environmental
efforts, he said.

Furthermore, with the implementation of this strategy, he said companies
could also make their products achieve a carbon free level.

To this end, he said, a company’s green and environmental policy should be
built into their scope of corporate social responsibility.

To reduce carbon footprint, he said, companies should also be given
incentives in the form of tax breaks to undertake initiatives to reduce such
gases.

Taxes and legislation must be simple to follow and the adherence and claim
procedures should go through a one-stop system, he said.

"We can impose policies where companies should be fined if their carbon
emissions are more than a certain allowable amount. However, they can also be
given tax incentives or rewards if they produce below this amount," he said.

This is important because, if they have a higher carbon price-related fine,
there is less incentive for companies to run carbon-intensive plants and more
incentive to invest in cleaner technology.

This, in all certainty, works out to the advantage of the industry due to
increased productivity, Bhar said.

-- BERNAMA