World Environment Day Message 2012 by Lim Guan Eng on Monday, 4^th June 2012: 

World Environment Day Message 2012  

The 2012 theme for World Environment Day is "Green Economy: Does it include you?" According to 2012 United Nations Environment Program(UNEP), a Green Economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, as well as prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be catalyzed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.

A green economy is described as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In other words, we can think of a green economy as an economic environment that achieves low carbon emissions, works towards resource efficiency and at the same time is socially inclusive.

Unfortunately the BN government does not adhere to the UNEP's green economy unlike developed countries such as:-

• Australia that refuses to accept any of the waste residue from rare earth processed by the Lynas plant in Kuantan back to Australia,

• Germany that has decided to phase out their nuclear reactors plant; and

• Taiwan that rejects any petrochemical plants built on their wetlands.

In direct contrast, the BN government approved the AUD 800 million or RM 2.4 billion rare earth refinery plant in Kuantan, the setting up of the petrochemical industry in Pengerang under Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) RM 60 billion integrated refinery and petrochemical complex, and proposal to build not one but two nuclear plants costing RM 15 billion in the country. By ignoring the rakyat's opposition and their health concerns for their welfare, the BN government is adopting an undemocratic and exclusive approach.

By allowing rare earth refinery plant, petrochemical industry and two nuclear plants in the country, BN government has clearly proven that it is more interested in profits than public good, and is pursuing economic development at all cost at the expense of the environment and people's health.

In order to achieve a Green Economy, renewable energy must be in place. Unfortunately the Renewable Energy Fund is inadequate as it is only RM 300 million from the 1% levy on consumption of more than 300kwh or electricity bills more than RM 77 per month. Assuming an installed capacity of 3 kW only 2,217 households can benefit. With 1kW installed capacity only 6,651 households will benefit. What type of solar energy capacity building is Malaysia talking about when only 6,651 household throughout Malaysia are qualified and will benefit only from 2013?

The Renewable Energy Fund must be increased from the present RM 300 million by at least another RM1 billion. The time has come for Independent Power Producers or IPPs to plough back their billions of ringgit in annual profits and contribute back to society with RM 1 billion annually to the Renewable Energy Fund to help develop solar and renewable energy as alternative energy sources. After all if IPPs can benefit nearly RM20 billion from gas subsidies, what is RM1 billion to allow all Malaysians to use solar energy and become a nano-IPP by selling back solar energy generated to TNB?

Clearly under BN, Malaysia will never achieve a sustainable, low carbon and resource efficient future. Only a Pakatan Rakyat that rejected rare earth plants and nuclear plants can ensure our future generation live in a better world that is clean, green safe and healthy. Remember we do not inherit the earth, but only borrow it from our children. It is our duty and responsibility to return back this green legacy to our children and unborn grandchildren.

*Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary General & Penang Chief Minister