KUCHING: The federal government is finalising the National Clean Air Action Plan 2025-2040 (NCAAP) to address the challenges related to air quality in the country, Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii said today.
He said the plan is designed to enhance Malaysia's ambient air quality and serve as a guiding document that aims to drive unified and comprehensive efforts toward achieving better air quality.
"The development of NCAAP 2025 – 2040 involves collaboration with various stakeholders, such as government bodies, the private sector, industry players, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and educational institutions," he said at the opening of the 13th Asian Aerosol Conference here.
He said the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry is adopting a highly aspirational approach to decarbonise by committing to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050.
"In this regard, the ministry is finalising its Long-term Low Emission Development Strategy to guide Malaysia in meeting this target," he said.
Huang said the ministry is also finalising the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Roadmap to chart the emission reduction pathway to reduce 45 per cent of its economy-wide GHG emission intensity by 2030 compared to the 2005 level.
He said the roadmap will help identify specific sectors and stakeholders to implement emission reduction initiatives in contributing towards achieving Malaysia's NDC target.
He stressed that aerosol research in Malaysia is a vital component of the country's efforts to address air quality and climate challenges.
"With ongoing research and collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and international partners, Malaysia is well-positioned to make significant strides in understanding and managing the complex issues related to aerosols," he added.
Huang said rapid urbanisation in Malaysia impacts climate change and environmental sustainability significantly.
"Urban areas are expanding quickly due to economic growth, increased population, and migration from rural areas to cities, resulting in high aerosol concentrations," he added.
Huang also noted that Southeast Asia has been recognised as one of the most vulnerable regions worldwide in respect to climate change, due to the complex aerosol field as a result of the diverse land surface and intricated meteorology and hydrology.
He said increased concentrations of atmospheric aerosols, especially those originating from biomass burning, fossil-fuel combustion, and industrial emissions have become the main climate issue in Southeast Asia including Malaysia.
On the 13th Asian Aerosol Conference, he said it is a critical platform for sharing knowledge, exchanging expertise, and presenting the latest research findings in aerosol science.
"It marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address global climate challenges," Huang said.
The five-day AAC 2024 is organised by the Clean Air Forum Society of Malaysia or MyCAS, in collaboration with the Asian Aerosol Research Assembly (AARA).