ASEAN COUNTRIES NEED COLLECTIVE ACTION TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE - ACADEMICIAN

By Nurrul Huda Ahmad Lutfi

KANGAR, March 30 (Bernama) -- ASEAN member countries require collective action to tackle the various manifestations of climate change, including rising sea levels and temperatures, along with extreme weather patterns of heavy rain and long drought.

Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Engineering and Chemical Technology Faculty senior lecturer Assoc Prof Madya Dr Umi Fazara Md Ali said the focus on climate change during the ASEAN-Malaysia 2025 meeting was very vital as it reflected concern over the global challenge, and while ASEAN was not a major contributor to climate change on a global scale, the region has an important role in mitigating greenhouse gases.

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“As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia has a strategic opportunity to lead dialogues, discussions and collective action, including to strengthen regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Climate Change Initiative (ACCI) and the ASEAN Action Plan on Climate Change.

“Both initiatives are strategic steps for ASEAN to play an active part in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The effort will show ASEAN’s commitment in tackling climate change at a regional and global level as well as support sustainable development for member countries,” she told Bernama recently.

Malaysia has showed indications that it intends to prioritise climate change as a major agenda for the region, with Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stating that the country would have the opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation in tackling climate change as Chair of the ASEAN Work Group on Climate Change (AWGCC) 2022 to 2025.

Umi Fazara also pointed out that climate change was behind uncertain weather patterns, including changing monsoon and rain patterns, which complicate flood forecasts and mitigation planning, and was of the view that Malaysia should focus on several major issues - including the development of renewable energy such as solar, wind and biomass - to discuss with ASEAN member countries. 

“Besides this, matters up for discussion include the conservation and preservation of forests by strengthening cooperation in tropical rainforest management, as ASEAN forests contribute to a significant amount of carbon sequestration,” she said, adding that Malaysia could also consider discussing methods to expand access to international funding for climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives in ASEAN and integrating environmental studies in ASEAN education systems to boost awareness among youth.

She also suggested several measures to tackle climate change effectively, such as holding a joint study with other ASEAN countries, including between universities and industry players to develop innovative solutions for climate change mitigation.

“Other steps include encouraging development of green technology, such as electric vehicles and smart energy grids throughout this region and to institutionalise stricter regional laws to control carbon emissions and open burning activities as well as to empower local communities through training and awareness programmes to conduct sustainable practices,” she added.

On climate change related studies, she shared that she had conducted carbon absorption studies using active carbon produced from biomass such as oil palm, padi husks and microalgae, which were very relevant as such technology had the potential of reducing greenhouse gases.

“My study also emphasises on the importance of parameters like adsorbent and the rate of gas flow to boost the effectiveness of the carbon sequestration. This finding has the potential to be applied on an industrial scale in the ASEAN region to reduce the impact of carbon emissions from the industrial and energy sectors.

“I hope such studies will contribute to the collective efforts of tackling climate change and to strengthen resilience in the ASEAN region,” Umi Fazara said.

She also shared that she was working with Petronas in a two-year initiative the gas company was funding to explore the potential of microalgae as a raw material in the production of biofuel that could replace fossil fuels.

“With microalgae’s capabilities to grow quickly and produce oils rich with fatty acids, it offers a more environmentally-friendly alternative in energy production. This initiative is also in line with global efforts to reduce dependence of fossil fuels and reduce the negative impacts of climate change,” she added.

-- BERNAMA