She said that given the severity of the global climate crisis, it is heartening to see the government has a carbon neutrality target of net-zero emission by 2050, as outlined in the 12th Malaysia Plan.
However, the former minister questioned the need to rush and impose a deadline as the announcement comes before the long-term low emissions development strategies study is finalised in 2022.
“The decision (to announce a target) is akin to putting the cart before the horse. Sound decisions can only be made through thorough deliberations,” she said in a statement.
“There has been a lot of movement pushing countries, especially developing countries like Malaysia, to adopt carbon neutrality or net-zero emissions based on their targets.”
She said given that Malaysia contributes less than 0.7% of the world’s emissions, the country could take more time to consider its capacity to lower its emissions in the near future.
Similarly, Kok said, phasing out coal as a primary source of energy generation could also increase the price of electricity if done without an adequate substitution plan, adding that it would have a knock-on effect of causing prices to rise for consumers.
Forestry is also another key sector where its carbon sink capacity is very likely to be affected if the mineral transformation plan does not consider its implications on forest loss.
“Developing countries are being coerced, influenced and pressured by some civil society groups funded by rich nations to increase their ambition in emissions reduction.
“At the same time, these NGOs are turning a blind eye to the obligations of those historical emitters to take the lead in deep emissions cuts, not to mention that they need to provide the agreed finance and technology transfer.”
She pointed out that under Article 14 of the Paris Agreement, the first periodic stocktake of the implementation of the pact to assess the collective progress will take place in 2023.
Kok said the progress of the countries will be assessed not just by their mitigation efforts but also the level of financing on the part of rich, industrialised nations.
“So, it is very important that the government is not swayed by public sentiments and external influence but is fully aware of the provisions of the Paris Agreement which we had signed and ratified.
“We must defend the country’s rights to develop and to transition to a low carbon economy within an equitable and reasonable timeframe in accordance with our national circumstances.”