KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded RM7.88 billion in green investment generation in 2024, together with the creation of more than 2,000 green jobs, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said.

He said the achievement was in line with targets set under the NRES 2024–2030 Strategic Plan.

“Through agencies such as the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), we have implemented various initiatives, including the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM), the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS), the Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA), and strengthening Government Green Procurement (GGP),” he said in the the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to Kemaman member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar who asked the government to state achievements in terms of green investment generation value and green job opportunities, as outlined in the strategic plan, and challenges faced in achieving the set targets.

Johari said contributions from GITA, GTFS 4.0, and IGEM had driven the results, with the IGEM series alone generating over RM10 billion in potential green investments since 2020.

Addressing challenges, Johari admitted that financing remained one of the ministry’s key constraints.

“The government can fund small-scale projects, but for large-scale initiatives, there must be economic value. Once that value exists, local banks will step in with financing,” he said, noting that many small and medium enterprises still struggled to access green financing.

He also cited a shortage of technical experts and the need to raise awareness among industries and the public.

“Everyone in society must play a direct role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

Johari said the ministry was working with the Human Resources Ministry, Perkeso and the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp) to identify key areas including renewable energy engineering, energy auditing, sustainable finance, waste management and life cycle assessment.

“These fields are important as we work to strengthen environmental governance,” he said, adding that Malaysia’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions were guided by its commitments under the Paris Agreement.

“We are encouraging all industries operating in Malaysia to move towards lower carbon emissions, using both nature-based and technology-based solutions,” he said.

Source: NST