Malaysia Signs MLF Grant Agreement Worth USD10.19 Million For Ozone Protection
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia today signed a Multilateral Fund (MLF) Grant Agreement worth USD10.19 million (RM43.1 million) for the Kigali Implementation Plan (KIP) Stage I.
The Department of Environment (DOE), in a statement, said the agreement underscores Malaysia's ongoing commitment to implementing the 2016 Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which aims to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) greenhouse gases by up to 80 percent by 2045.
“Malaysia remains committed to protecting the ozone layer and mitigating the effects of climate change while continuing international cooperation to ensure the country’s refrigeration sector adopts green and sustainable technologies, thereby contributing to global efforts to curb global warming,” it said.
According to the DOE, the agreement was signed by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo Kim and World Bank representatives, in conjunction with the Ozone to Climate Seminar at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here.
Through the implementation of KIP Stage I, the department said Malaysia aims to reduce 2.67 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂eq) emissions by 2029.
The statement said the funds will be utilised to carry out several key initiatives, including the conversion of commercial refrigeration systems to low-carbon, energy-efficient refrigerants, as well as the use of modern training methods and digital simulations.
Other initiatives include the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach through the Certified Service Technician Programme (CSTP), as well as the strengthening of comprehensive and sustainable refrigerant life cycle management.
The DOE said that at the ceremony, MLF sub-grants totalling USD1.877 million (RM7.94 million) were also handed over to three local companies, namely Berjaya Steel Product Sdn Bhd, Zun Utara Industry Sdn Bhd, and PROTON.
“This sub-grant aims to support efforts to replace refrigeration technology with low-carbon systems in factory production, thereby encouraging local industry participation as an early initiative to introduce climate-friendly refrigerants in Malaysia,” it said.
Meanwhile, DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar, when officiating at the Ozone to Climate Seminar, said Malaysia has successfully phased out ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon tetrachloride (CTC) and methyl bromide since 2010, as well as reducing the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by more than 80 per cent to date.
He said Malaysia is now entering a new phase with the implementation of the KIP, which not only focuses on ozone protection but also contributes to climate action by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Signing the Kigali Implementation Plan Stage I with the support of MLF funds today marks another significant achievement for Malaysia in strengthening national policies, building technical capacity, and assisting industries in transitioning to low-carbon and energy-efficient technologies,” said Wan Abdul Latiff.
-- BERNAMA
