BAKU (Azerbaijan), Nov 16 -- Malaysia is set to implement an enhanced National Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) next year, aimed at managing and improving air quality. The Department of Environment (DOE) is finalizing the draft plan, which will be presented to the Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability in January.
The CAAP aligns with the theme of the ongoing United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP29), which emphasizes political commitment towards addressing climate change. The initiative reflects Malaysia's proactive steps towards sustainable development as it prepares to chair ASEAN in 2025.
Integrated collaboration with ASEAN and the international community is deemed crucial for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The DOE has been enforcing various measures under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to mitigate climate change effects, including the prohibition of open burning to prevent local haze.
At an international level, Malaysia is committed to the Montreal Protocol and the Basel Convention, which aim to phase out ozone-depleting substances and regulate the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, respectively. COP29, taking place in Baku from Nov 11 to Nov 22, has attracted around 50,000 participants, focusing on climate finance to assist developing nations in combating climate change.