NRES: No more exemptions for companies which fail to meet emission standards

KUALA LUMPUR: Companies that fail to implement emission reduction measures will no longer be granted exemptions under the Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulations, according to Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup. All companies must comply with emission standards by 2030, as stated by Kurup.

The regulations, which were introduced in 2014, limit plants and factories to emitting no more than 600 milligrammes of pollutants per cubic metre. In a recent statement, Kurup announced that he would not issue any more exemptions. However, he acknowledged that industries require time to implement the necessary technology, including feasibility studies, renovations, and changes to their operations.

Kurup informed reporters at a press conference that exemptions would only be granted to companies that had begun implementing the required technology or were taking steps towards compliance with the Clean Air Regulations. To meet the net zero emissions target by 2050, all companies must be fully compliant by 2030, Kurup emphasized.

The government has decided against implementing the carbon tax this year, focusing instead on establishing the necessary framework and policies. The carbon tax, initially limited to specific industries like energy, steel, and cement, was delayed to provide industries with a buffer against rising geopolitical tensions and volatile energy prices.

The government aims to introduce the Climate Change Act, which will set the necessary framework, policies, regulations, and enforcement powers to regulate emissions, allowing for the implementation of the carbon tax as a penalty for polluters.