Grab opportunities in green growth, urges Melaka CM
MELAKA: Green growth is an opportunity to be seized with both hands to modernise business and generate sustainable growth as well as jobs, said Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.
“Green growth is also an opportunity to strengthen our energy security by reducing our dependence on imports of oil and gas, and to reduce air pollution and the high health costs associated with it,” he said when addressing the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Green Council meeting at a hotel near here yesterday.
According to Idris, the global market for environmental technologies and products is forecast to grow strongly at around 10 per cent annually over the coming years.
“The IMT- GT needs to be in a position to take full advantage of this opportunity. Today, Melaka is at the forefront in embracing the concept of a ‘green city’ after announcing the intention in 2010.
“Since then, we have initiated various programmes and projects including the Melaka River beautification, Hang Tuah Jaya Green City, Melaka World Solar Valley, Green City Action Plan, Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Energy Efficiency project, Smart Grid pilot project and International Green Technology Training Centre.
“The effort is supported through the establishment of a high-level governance mechanism through our green technology council and guided by our green techology blueprint,” he said. — Bernama