Historic MoC Signing at IGEM 2023: Planters International Berhad and MGTC Collaborate to Revolutionize Environmental Conservation
October 5, 2023, Kuala Lumpur - In a groundbreaking move, Planters International Berhad (Planters) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) have officially inked a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) during the prestigious International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2023. The event, recognized as Southeast Asia’s premier platform for green technologies and eco solutions, served as an ideal stage for this monumental announcement. This year's IGEM theme, "Race Towards Net Zero: Leadership for Climate Action," underscored the global urgency of environmental conservation, making the collaboration all the more significant.
The MoC signifies a shared commitment to a cause of paramount importance: environmental conservation. It encompasses engagement for nature-based carbon sequestration, with a specific focus on enhancing biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and contributing to the overall health of our planet. The gravity of this partnership lies in its potential to revolutionize the landscape of environmental sustainability in Malaysia and beyond.
However, the collaboration between Planters and MGTC goes beyond traditional conservation efforts. It includes a groundbreaking Biomass Project that aims to harness the potential of sustainable bamboo resources for the production of bamboo pellets and bamboo biochar. This initiative is closely aligned with Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), a visionary plan focusing on six key drivers of energy transition: energy efficiency (EE), renewable energy (RE), hydrogen, bioenergy, green mobility, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). The NETR outlines ten major high-impact renewable energy projects, and the biomass project involving sustainable bamboo sources holds the potential to become a flagship endeavour supporting the bioenergy transition lever as outlined in the NETR.
One of the distinguishing elements of this historic MoC signing was the presence of YB Datuk Seri Hwang Tiong Sii, Deputy Minister of the National Resources, Environment, and Climate Change (NRECC), who graciously served as the witness to this significant partnership. His presence underscores the importance of public-private collaboration in advancing sustainable practices and environmental conservation in the face of global climate challenges.
Planters International Berhad, a publicly registered company in Malaysia, stands as a leader in forest enrichment and reforestation. The MoC formalizes their commitment to join forces with MGTC, a government agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change (NRECC). MGTC's mandate to lead Malaysia in green growth, climate change mitigation, and resilience perfectly aligns with Planters' dedication to preserving the environment.
This partnership signifies a shared vision for a healthier planet, where sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and innovative energy solutions lead the way. It marks a pivotal step towards achieving a more sustainable and greener future for Malaysia and the world at large.
Notably, the IGEM 2023 event was officiated and launched by the YAB Dato' Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof, the Deputy Prime Minister on behalf of YAB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia on the same day. The event saw the attendance of prominent figures including YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change (NRECC); YB Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI); and YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport (MOT); further emphasizing the significance and high-profile nature of the MoC signing.
