KUALA LUMPUR: The Japanese authorities, by way of its Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (Satreps) programme, is supporting Malaysia in reaching its sustainable development goals.
Satreps promotes worldwide joint analysis between Japan and creating international locations to deal with world points.
Japan’s ambassador to Malaysia, Katsuhiko Takahashi, acknowledged that at present, seven out of 65 initiatives carried out by Satreps are being executed in Malaysia.
“One of the initiatives we’re endeavor entails analysis on optimising using previous palm bushes (OPT) to supply varied inexperienced power merchandise comparable to biogas and biodegradable supplies, thereby enhancing the useful resource utilisation of OPT.
“Additionally, Japanese corporations are additionally collaborating on analysis and social implementation. For occasion, IHI Corporation is developing a pilot plant in Kluang, Johor to supply gasoline pellets from OPT, and Panasonic is creating wood boards from OPT for furnishings manufacturing and gross sales,“ he advised eNM.
Takahashi made these remarks after talking at The Nation ‘In-Focus: Malaysia-Japan Relations’ programme produced by eNM TV right here at this time, hosted by Gerard Ratnam.
Another ongoing challenge is the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion challenge, which utilises the temperature variations within the ocean to generate energy.
This challenge is being developed by way of a pilot plant off the coast of Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.
Takahashi mentioned the challenge is predicted to yield outcomes as soon as it’s applied subsequent 12 months.
Additionally, Takahashi talked about that the Japanese authorities is advising Malaysia on efforts to cut back carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from coal-fired energy crops.
“As Malaysia goals to attain carbon neutrality by 2050, and on condition that coal energy stations are nonetheless operational, we are able to use new know-how like cofiring with ammonia to cut back CO2.
“Through Japan’s Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative introduced final 12 months, we hope this platform can help in getting ready customised methods for international locations, together with Malaysia, to attain their local weather change goals,“ mentioned the ambassador.
The AZEC is a part of Japan’s Green Transformation coverage, aimed toward decreasing greenhouse emissions in Asia whereas supporting sound financial development.
On a associated be aware, Takahashi mentioned that collaboration between Japanese corporations and the Sarawak Economic Development Corp to generate inexperienced hydrogen energy is one other important potential space that might profit each international locations.
“As we shift our focus to decarbonisation and develop into the inexperienced power sector to attain environmental, social and governance rules, we see that Malaysia has historically been a big power provider.
“Sarawak, particularly, is wealthy in hydrogen, an environmentally pleasant power supply. It has the potential to generate these inexperienced sources, which few international locations can produce.
“All these efforts reveal our dedication to forming partnerships with Malaysia on sustainable initiatives by way of technological developments,“ mentioned the ambassador.
In September 2021, following the discharge of the twelfth Malaysia Plan spanning 2021-2025, Malaysia’s authorities introduced a carbon-neutrality goal for 2050.
Malaysia then launched the National Energy Transition Roadmap in July 2023, setting bold targets for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
The plan is complete, outlining a gradual enhance in renewable power shares, concentrating on 31% by 2025, 40% by 2035, and 70% by 2050.
Meanwhile, 42 years have handed for the reason that introduction of the Look East Policy in 1982.
As a results of the coverage, Takahashi mentioned, Malaysia and Japan have consolidated sturdy and resilient bilateral relations, bringing folks nearer in social and financial exchanges.
This was evident throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the place not solely did Japanese corporations proceed to function in Malaysia, however there was additionally a marginal enhance within the variety of Japanese corporations getting into Malaysia.
Currently, 1,600 Japanese corporations are working in Malaysia.
According to a latest survey carried out by the Japanese Trade Office, 96% of Japanese corporations doing enterprise in Malaysia want to proceed or develop their actions.
In addition to a powerful presence within the semiconductor section below the manufacturing sector, the ambassador famous new development areas within the retail sector, logistics and the Japanese meals business. – eNM
