Malaysia Malaysia

Malaysia ranks 59th in the current CCPI, down three spots and a very low performer.

The country receives very low ratings in the GHG Emissions and Energy Use categories, a low in Climate Policy, and maintains a medium in Renewable Energy.

Large-scale solar projects raising human rights concerns

After announcing its 2050 net zero emissions target in 2021, Malaysia is preparing to launch its long-term low emissions development strategy (LT-LEDS). The CCPI country experts note that this preparation involves multiple stakeholders, including those from civil society. The LT-LEDS is touted as an important work, as there has been no real roadmap to reach the previously announced emissions reduction target.

The positive move is also followed by the launch of the second phase of Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which establishes a low-carbon pathway for the energy sector. The experts stress the need to improve the NETR to include more information to induce further investment for improving the national grid to accommodate aims such as introduction of renewable energy. Large-scale solar projects associated with the roadmap were created without public consultation, raising concern regarding human rights.

Malaysia still heavily depends on oil and gas industries

The NETR also emphasises biomass as part of the energy transition. Palm oil, for which production is expected to expand significantly in the next decade, is a big part of this. The move is followed by tightening regulations so that palm oil plantations follow national environmental compliance standards.

Despite the improvements, Malaysia still heavily depends on the oil and gas industries. Oil and gas use is also heavily subsidised at many levels, including blanket subsidies on transport fuel. The experts recommend that Malaysia adopt more overarching and comprehensive strategies to avoid not only high emissions in the future, but also economic consequences of staying on a path of high carbon development.

Key Outcomes

  • Malaysia ranks 59th in the current CCPI, down three spots and a very low performer
  • Oil and gas use is also heavily subsidised at many levels, including blanket subsidies on transport fuel
  • Key demands: adopt more overarching and comprehensive strategies to avoid high emissions

 

CCPI experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

 

Key Indicators

CCPI 2024: Target comparison