New carbon approach can spur green jobs, say stakeholders

Malaysia's National Carbon Market Policy (NCMP) is poised to generate new green jobs and broaden the demand for existing professions, according to stakeholders. The Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) anticipates that the NCMP could lead to the creation of at least 300,000 jobs by 2050, with the policy stimulating demand for carbon project developers, greenhouse gas specialists, measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) experts, validation and verification professionals, engineers, technicians, data scientists, auditors, sustainability professionals, legal and financial experts, and more.

Examples of carbon-related projects that could generate job opportunities include biogas carbon projects requiring engineers, plant technicians, methane-monitoring specialists, emissions experts, independent verifiers, and financial professionals, as well as forestry carbon projects that could demand forest care experts, ecologists, geographic information system specialists, field workers, and remote-sensing experts.

Although it is premature to estimate the exact number of jobs the NCMP will create in the next three to five years, the broader green transition in Malaysia could potentially result in 300,000 new jobs by 2050. Environmental economist Norlida Hanim Salleh of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia emphasized the need for changes in education and training for future workers and upskilling for those already in the workforce to ensure they can apply their existing expertise to areas such as carbon accounting, auditing, green project development, and low-carbon technology.

The NCMP, launched by natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Arthur Joseph Kurup, aims to create a structured carbon market and encourage investment in low-carbon and carbon projects. Its success will depend on clear laws, coordination between governments, and adequate supporting infrastructure. Carbon-market specialist Aurora Tin stressed the importance of a Climate Change Bill to clarify government responsibilities and strategic coordination through the National Climate Change Council and the National Decarbonisation Committee to align federal policies with state-level jurisdictions.

Additionally, sufficient funding for infrastructure such as the digital carbon registry, public awareness, and stakeholder involvement are crucial for the success of the NCMP.