Heriot-Watt net-zero energy forum a success
PUTRAJAYA, 29 March 2022 — Heriot-Watt University Malaysia hosted a virtual net-zero energy forum attended by high profile speakers.
Following the release of the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) last year, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced Malaysia’s carbon-neutrality target as early as 2050.
In addition, the government is set to release details of its 2050 net-zero emissions target this year including a voluntary carbon market, a carbon pricing mechanism, green technology tax incentives and carbon trading, according to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed.
In view of this, the leading UK technological and business university, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM), through its School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, hosted a virtual net-zero energy industry forum on March 24 in collaboration with student chapters of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM); the Institution of Chemical Engineers, Malaysia (IChemE); the Energy Institute Malaysia (EI Malaysia); and Institution of Engineering and Technology Malaysia (IET).
Themed, “Towards Net-Zero”, the forum is aimed at addressing the challenges and changes required; technological readiness; the role of key stakeholders, including regulators and industry players; key green initiatives and policies; carbon offsetting projects; and future energy systems.
The forum was moderated by HWUM’s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences Associate Professor Ir Dr Go Yun Ii, and featured expert panellists from the energy industry as the list below:
- Peter Godfrey, Managing Director of Energy Institute, Asia Pacific region (APEC) and Vice President of STOREGGA, Asia Pacific region (APEC)
- Thirupathi Rao, Head of Greenhouse Gas Management, Group Health, Safety & Environment (HSE), PETRONAS.
- Ir Ts Dr Wan Syakirah Wan Abdullah, Head of Business Assessment & Engineering, TNB Renewables Sdn Bhd
- Associate Professor, Dr Adlansyah Abd Rahman, Associate Professor, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia.
Net-zero readiness
The panellists raised interesting points about net-zero carbon readiness and provided key insights on green policies, affordability, infrastructure, technology, and talent in Malaysia; all of which are important factors to take into consideration in order to reach the country’s net-zero carbon target.
The panel members also highlighted that Malaysia is fuelled by an energy-centric economy, which will require more government intervention, including a clear regulatory framework, industrial incentives to spur green initiatives such as exploring renewable energy and garnering net-zero carbon participation from Malaysian companies.
In addition, the panellists also shared the importance of businesses incorporating costs for sustainable green measures to reduce carbon emissions and move towards a more sustainable business model amidst the global energy transition.
During the panel discussion, TNB Renewables Sdn. Bhd.’s Head of Business Assessment & Engineering, Ir Ts Dr Wan Syakirah, says, “Let us all play our part, be it small or big, to ensure that we are on the right path in achieving our net-zero target, not for ourselves but for the generation of the future.”
Similarly, the Energy Institute’s Managing Director (Asia-Pacific), and Storegga’s Vice President (Asia-Pacific), Peter Godfrey, shared, “Getting to net-zero is not a race, it’s about empowering smart people and nations, wherever they may be, to take ambitious steps beyond the status quo and to demonstrate to others how to do so. “Sitting back and making excuses about why things can’t be done is no longer an option.”
HWUM’s Associate Professor of School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Dr Adlansyah Abd Rahman, also shared the importance of nurturing a skilled talent pipeline that will be able to innovate and utilise new greenhouse gas (GHG) reducing and removal technologies.
He also stressed the importance of positive education to help nurture holistic talent that will be able to impact communities and remain resilient in a highly complex world.
Read more @WorldFuture