A CASE STUDY ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (C02) has been classified as a major Greenhouse Gas (GHG) contributing to climate change. In respond to this, The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has set its main objective of stabilizing GHGs concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. This study report focuses on the overall global implementation plan to reduce C02 emissions and its effect on the economy and energy sector of developing countries. The overall implementation plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions and its impact on developing countries is examined by using Malaysia as a case study. Mitigating global climate change in theory requires global co-operation. As a result the first Conference of Parties of the Framework Convention Climate Change (FCCC) established the Kyoto Protocol aimed at strengthening the commitments of developed countries to reduce C02 emissions. This report will examine the provisions of the mentioned Kyoto Protocol. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) which is one of the three mechanisms developed under the protocol is discussed as it is most relevant to developing countries. Malaysia's views on CDM will be used to examine the potential of the mentioned mechanism. The GREEN Business as Usual (BaU) model developed by the Organization for Economic Coorporation and Development (OECD) is used to illustrate future C02 emissions and energy demand. In addition the SRES model developed by IPCC is used to illustrate future energy needs and changes. As a result a number of conclusions are drawn based on projections from GREEN BaU and SRES models. First the stabilization of C02 concentrations will be impossible to achieve unless developing countries, as well as developed countries take part. Second, unless additional action is taken, developed countries aggregate emissions will continue to climb. Third lower stabilization level require earlier integration of developing countries into the global mitigating framework. Forth GDP level projected for developing countries imply that capital resources to reduce emission will be extremely scarce and solutions must be found to finance emission reduction cost. Though there might be some set-backs in the Kyoto Protocol, it seems to be the only existing global treaty to curb C02 emissions. Ratification by all parties would allow it to come into force in the future. The KP has received some amount of criticisms, however a global effort to curb climate change is needed; it should be adopted first allowing for further fine tuning work to be carried out to achieve maximum benefits for all mankind.