INGENIEUR JAN-MAR 2017 Vol 69 2017 | Page 18

prioritised the importance of environmental sustainability as part of a comprehensive socioeconomic development plan where relevant measures to address all the issues related to climate change ; environmental degradation and sustainable utilisation of Malaysia ’ s natural endowment were highlighted .

In 2009 , Malaysia set a voluntary target of reducing greenhouse gas ( GHGs ) emission intensity of its Gross

Domestic Product ( GDP ) by up to 40 % by 2020 . Under the 10 th Malaysia Plan ( 2011-2015 ), the country managed to achieve a 33 % reduction in terms of greenhouse gas emission that is just slightly off the target set for 2020 . A million people have been shielded from the detrimental impact of floods via the extensive implementation of 194 flood mitigation projects throughout the five-year national plan . Figure 13 summarizes the key achievements of the 10 th Malaysia Plan 2011- 2015 .

As stated above , the Government has shifted its “ business as usual ” approach into a more robust ‘ moving forward ’ approach in the 11 th Malaysia Plan . It is the first time that an environment-related issue has been addressed as one of the main strategic thrusts through “ Pursuing green growth for sustainability and resilience ” within the national agenda . This strategic thrust emerged from improvements in the 10 th Malaysia Plan in regards to environmental aspects such as the impact of climate change . However most of the issues evolved within the context of ensuring quality of life and not from a strategic standpoint on its own .

Figure 13 : Key Achievements of the 10 th Malaysia Plan 2011-2015 ( Source : EPU , 2015 )

As one of the key strategic thrusts outlined in the 11 th Malaysia Plan , green growth is a fundamental shift that addresses how Malaysia sees the role of natural resources and the environment in its socio-economic development , protecting both development gains and biodiversity concurrently .

Green growth refers to growth that is resourceefficient , clean , and resilient . It is a commitment to pursue development in a more sustainable manner from the start , rather than the more conventional and costly model of ‘ grow first , clean up later ’. In order to pursue a green growth strategy , there is a need to strengthen the enabling environment from the perspective of the policy and regulatory framework , human capital , green technology investment and financial instruments . Figure 14 summarises the key focus areas embedded in pursuing green growth strategic thrusts in the 11 th Malaysia Plan ( 2016-2020 ) namely strengthening both the environment for green growth and resilience against climate change / natural disaster as well as adopting a sustainable consumption concept and conserving natural resources for future generations .

Figure 14 : Summary of Focus Areas of the 11 th Malaysia Plan 2016-2020

16 VOL 69 JANUARY-MARCH 2017