KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia is working to face a triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, with the challenges posed by these needing long-term solutions, an official said on Tuesday.
These crises together represent one of the defining generational challenges that are reshaping ecosystems, economies and societies, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup said in his remarks at the Climate Change and Sustainability Conference 2026.
"Across the globe, the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident. We are witnessing unprecedented heatwaves, extreme rainfall events, prolonged droughts and rising sea levels," he said.
"Malaysia is no exception. Recent years have brought severe floods, coastal erosion, changing rainfall patterns and increasing climate variability that affect our water resources, food security, infrastructure and public health," he said.
Noting the scope and scale of climate challenges requiring international cooperation, Arthur said Malaysia will continue to be an active participant in international platforms aimed at combatting climate change.
"Malaysia remains committed to contributing constructively to global efforts to address these crises," he said, adding that Malaysia aspires to hit its peak greenhouse gas emissions by 2029, provided that enabling conditions and support are in place.
"This is a significant milestone for a developing economy that is still deeply intertwined with energy-intensive sectors. Beyond the peak, Malaysia commits to achieving an absolute emissions reduction of 15 to 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035, relative to the peak level," he said. ■
