METHANE MATTERS
A comprehensive national strategy for methane action is critical to set the pathway to reduce the potent greenhouse gas (GHG) that is responsible for 25% of global warming.
While Malaysia committed to the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in 2021 with 100 other countries, pledging to reduce 30% of methane emissions by 2030, the impact on national methane reduction efforts remains uncertain.
Dr. Helena Varkkey, an Associate Professor of Environmental Politics at the Department of International and Strategic Studies, Universiti Malaya, and her team addressed this ambiguity in a groundbreaking policy brief.
The policy brief, titled “Promoting Progress on Methane Emissions Reductions in Malaysia,” also outlined three key recommendations, with the foremost urging the government to clearly articulate a national direction for methane action.
Quoting the policy paper, it stated, “The Malaysian government does not have a methane strategy or policy. Sector-specific regulations focusing on methane emissions are either not present, vague, or not publicly accessible. Corporations need clear directives from the government on standards, technology innovation, incentives, and partnerships to achieve methane abatement targets in line with the GMP.”
The policy brief was launched at a seminar titled “Academic Research Promoting Transparency, Public Engagement, and Progress of Methane Emissions in Malaysia” organised by Universiti Malaya in collaboration with the environmental civil society group CERAH and supported by the Environmental Defense Fund in Kuala Lumpur last Friday (Nov 24).
Dr. Helena, who presented the policy brief, suggested integrating methane governance within the national climate framework, as a strategic alternative to a standalone methane policy. She stated, “This is an opportune time to do so as the Malaysian National Policy on Climate Change 2009 is currently being reviewed and the Climate Change Act is being developed.”
[READ] Measuring Malaysia’s methane emissions: A critical first step towards effective mitigation
[READ] Malaysia Reaffirms Commitment to Reducing Methane Emissions
In Malaysia, the majority of methane emissions reported by the government, notably from the oil and gas (O&G) and palm oil sectors, are generated by corporations, making their active participation crucial in emission reduction efforts.
The policy brief emphasised the role of corporations in improving the quantification and transparency of methane emissions, thereby demonstrating progress and supporting governmental commitments, as part of its second recommendation.
“At present, the Malaysian government and its corporations may be missing an opportunity to gain recognition for actively reducing methane reduction due to a lack of transparent, comprehensive and coherent reporting,” the policy brief stated.
A key solution lies in the wider deployment of measurement-based emission quantification to enhance transparency, allowing for a more accurate assessment of progress, it added.
While general awareness of climate change is high, public awareness of methane as a specific GHG in Malaysia is relatively low.
Over half of the national survey respondents (58%), conducted by Dr. Helena and her team, were reported unaware of methane in the context of climate change, and there is also a lack of public awareness regarding the high methane-emitting sectors in Malaysia.
To increase public awareness and participation, the brief recommended that local Civil Society Organisations play a pivotal role in advocating the co-benefits of methane reduction for air quality and public health.
For instance, methane poses a threat to human health by contributing to the formation of ozone, resulting in approximately 500,000 premature deaths worldwide annually.
Global initiatives aligned with the GMP have the potential to halve this impact, showcasing that greenhouse gas reductions also yield air quality and health co-benefits.
The existing separation between climate and air quality considerations in Malaysia’s policies poses a potential risk of missed opportunities for a more integrated approach.
To address this, the brief calls for a cohesive approach, combining the costs and benefits of air quality impacts on health, and strengthening the economic case for emission mitigation measures.
As Malaysia stands at a pivotal juncture in its fight against methane emissions, the urgent need for clear policies and committed action is evident.
Dr Helena emphasised that addressing methane emissions in critical sectors like the O&G and palm oil industries not only creates an opportunity for sustainable development but also aligns with the government’s long-term interests in contributing to global climate mitigation.
“In Malaysia, the major methane emitters are also crucial sectors such as O&G and palm oil. While there may be other challenges within the sectors, methane plays a significant role. By effectively tackling this aspect, we can contribute to stabilising the sectors in the coming years amidst climate action efforts. It’s essentially a win-win situation,” she remarked.