Government must lead in renewable energy

THE government has, for quite some time, focused on the socio-economic issues of the country, and rightly so.

However, the environment and sustainability issues must also be taken into consideration, and what better time to do this than during the early days of Malaysia Baru?

Granted, the government has already taken baby steps to address some environmental issues. Single-use plastic bags and straws are now being scrutinised with our current Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin leading the charge.

Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad has also taken preliminary steps to enforce the use of biodegradable plastics and a ban on plastic straws in the future. But more can and should be done.

One is to push for the use of renewable energy in Malaysia, which is chiefly the government’s role.

Britain’s move to reduce electricity generation from high carbon-emitting sources to renewable energy, which was strengthened by its National Renewable Energy Action Plan, has paid off. In the third quarter of 2017, it boasted a record percentage of electricity produced from renewable sources of up to 30%.

With technology in the renewable energy sector constantly improving, the Malaysian government could introduce its own renewable energy policy to encourage the production of power from low carbon-emitting sources like solar sources ( pic). It should start off by setting 10% of power to be produced from renewable sources by 2030. This would definitely push our power utilities to really invest in renewable energy research and development. Moreover, renewable energy technology is also becoming cheaper, so Malaysia should really get on the bandwagon sooner rather than later.

Another approach is to provide better financial incentives for people who recycle. This is where youth advocacy can be harnessed.

Mobile applications or apps, which are popular with youth, could be created to inculcate the culture of recycling among the younger generation. Apps on recycling – for example, a user is given financial rewards for every “X” amount of materials recycled – are already being used in Norway and other Scandinavian countries.

The most important thing, however, is for the government to connect all the dots together in order for this to work. It would not be able to harness and realise Malaysia’s true potential unless it also takes the environment under its wing. MUAZ MOHD HASNOL Perdana Fellow Ministry of Federal Territories