Malaysia Explores Innovative Approaches for Coal Carbon Reduction

Malaysia is actively exploring Request for Information (RFI) mechanisms for coal carbon reduction and potential early coal phase-out, demonstrating a forward-looking stance on climate mitigation and environmental sustainability.

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the minister of natural resources, environment, and climate change, participated in the launch of France’s coal transition accelerator event at the UNFCCC 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai. He highlighted substantial challenges faced by Malaysia and other developing nations across energy, economic, social, and environmental domains, particularly for those relying on young coal plants.

Despite these challenges, Nik Nazmi underscored Malaysia’s steadfast policy against new coal plant construction, emphasizing the need to establish a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy system in the face of obstacles.

Malaysia is exploring options such as co-firing, mothballing, early retirement, and a significant reduction in fossil fuel subsidies for electricity to cut carbon emissions from existing coal facilities.

During the event, Nik Nazmi expressed Malaysia’s interest in understanding the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) deal, subscribed to by the Vietnamese Government, aiming to unlock financing and support for sustainable energy transition. Malaysia considers emulating this model.

While recognising the potential for increased coal elimination ambition, Minister Nik stressed the importance of technical, capacity, and capability support from developed countries and the international community.

The France’s coal transition accelerator Event featured notable global figures, including French president Emmanuel Macron, US special climate envoy John Kerry, Vietnamese prime minister Phạm Minh Chính, UN special envoy on climate ambition and solutions Michael Bloomberg, and European commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

Malaysia, as one of the ten key stakeholders present, highlighted its commitment to climate mitigation, particularly in refraining from new coal plants and exploring early elimination of existing coal power plants as a precursor to addressing related environmental challenges.

Malaysia is poised to systematically reduce fossil fuel consumption, especially from coal, contributing to global efforts for a sustainable and greener future.