Malaysia edged on the carbon tax, for generations to come

The recently tabled 12th Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 sets an ambitious goal for the country to beat Singapore and Indonesia in attaining net zero emission by 2050. Part of the equation involves introducing carbon pricing meant to motivate clean energy adoption, encourage better energy efficiency, and finally reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. “Implementing a carbon price would help to determine who is responsible for emissions and by how much,” says Arina Kok, partner of climate change and sustainability services at Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn Bhd. Those who “continue to emit will pay a price now for their emissions, rather than pushing down the cost to future generations”, she adds.