Countries Eyeing Low-Carbon Targets

PETALING JAYA (Malaysia), April 27 (Bernama) -- Global environmental issues such as climate change and deforestation have emerged as new challenges to people throughout the world, with many countries aiming to become a low-carbon society. Information Communication and Culture Ministry secretary-general Kamaruddin Siaraf said the latter could be achieved through green technologies and green industries which enhanced eco-efficiency while minimising adverse environmental impacts. "The present expectation is that the field of green technology will bring about innovation and changes in daily life of similar magnitude to the information technology explosion over the last two decades. "In these early stages, it's impossible to predict what green technology may eventually encompass," he said in his opening remarks at the South-South Information Gateway's (SSIG) luncheon talk on 'Challenges of Going Green' here, Thursday. The text of his speech was read out by his deputy, Dr Rothiah Omar. It preceded a presentation by Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) executive director, Mohamed Shah Redza Hussein. Kamaruddin noted that the Malaysian government was committed to promoting green technology and ensuring sustainable development of the nation. This, he said, was demonstrated by the announcement in Budget 2012 that full exemption of import duty and excise duty on hybrid and electric cars would continue to be given to franchise holders. -- BERNAMA