KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — As part of the nation’s plan to tackle flood issues, the Malaysia Climate Change Action Council (MyCAC) will be encouraging states to implement the Malaysian Climate Change Adaptation Index, among other efforts, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

In a statement today, Ismail Sabri said that the meeting had also discussed the use of electric vehicles (EV) for large-scale events.

He said that among the matters raised during the session included the direction of flood management to increase the resilience and preparedness of the country to face the impacts of climate change, as Malaysia is exposed to the impact of climate change such as heavy rains which results in major floods.

Ismail Sabri explained that among the actions that will be implemented are the development of a National Adaptation Plan (MyNAP) which includes long-term action plans and national development strategies for the public health, infrastructure, water security and resources, agriculture and forestry and biodiversity sectors, as well as to encourage state governments to adopt the Malaysian Climate Change Adaptation Index to improve response to the impacts of climate change.

He added that a decision was also made to integrate climate change factors in the planning, design and implementation of sectoral and infrastructure projects to reduce the risk of flood disasters.

On the EV usage, Ismail Sabri said that the initiative is expected to be a catalyst for the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem in the country as well as reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions effectively.

"It also has the potential to attract foreign investment, create green jobs as well as save on fuel subsidies by the government.

"The meeting also agreed on the carbon market policy framework developed by the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) which provides basic guidance for carbon credit transactions in Malaysia. This framework stresses on the importance and advantages of carbon credit transactions at the domestic level to ensure the implementation of the carbon market mechanism is implemented transparently, thus meeting international standards and contributing to the country’s GHG emission reduction target,” he added.

He said that currently, KASA is developing a national long-term strategy for low carbon development in line with the country’s aspiration to achieve zero GHG emissions, as early as 2050.

Ismail Sabri said that the government’s commitment and efforts in spearheading the climate change agenda will also be continued by Malaysia’s participation in the 27th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, from November 6 till 18.

The event is an annual conference to discuss global climate change issues.

"I will lead the national delegation to the conference together with the chief ministers and the environment and water minister.

"In line with the aspirations of ‘Sustainable Malaysian Family’, the federal government together with state governments and other stakeholders, will continue to work together to ensure that the country’s capacity in addressing climate change issues can be strengthened for the wellbeing of the Malaysian Families now, and in the future,” he said.