Kuala Lumpur: ASEAN member countries require collective action to tackle the various manifestations of climate change, including rising sea levels and temperatures, along with extreme weather patterns of heavy rain and long drought.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Engineering and Chemical Technology Faculty senior lecturer Assoc Prof Madya Dr Umi Fazara Md Ali emphasized the urgency of focusing on climate change during the ASEAN-Malaysia 2025 meeting. Dr. Umi Fazara noted that although ASEAN is not a major global contributor to climate change, the region plays a crucial role in mitigating greenhouse gases. She highlighted Malaysia’s strategic opportunity, as ASEAN Chair, to lead dialogues and strengthen regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Climate Change Initiative (ACCI) and the ASEAN Action Plan on Climate Change.
Malaysia’s commitment to prioritizing climate change is evident, with its Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, expressing the country’s intent to enhance regional cooperation as Chair of the ASEAN Work Group on Climate Change (AWGCC) from 2022 to 2025. Dr. Umi Fazara pointed out the need for ASEAN countries to address major issues like renewable energy development and forest conservation to mitigate uncertain weather patterns caused by climate change.
Dr. Umi Fazara suggested that ASEAN member countries discuss expanding access to international funding for climate initiatives and integrating environmental studies into education systems to raise youth awareness. She also proposed conducting joint studies with universities and industry players to develop innovative climate solutions, promoting green technology, and enforcing stricter regional laws to control carbon emissions.
In her climate change research, Dr. Umi Fazara has focused on carbon absorption using active carbon from biomass, highlighting its potential for reducing greenhouse gases. She emphasized the significance of optimizing parameters like adsorbent and gas flow rate to enhance carbon sequestration effectiveness, with the potential for industrial application in ASEAN.
Additionally, Dr. Umi Fazara mentioned her collaboration with Petronas in a two-year initiative to explore microalgae as a biofuel raw material, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. This initiative aligns with global efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependence and mitigate climate change impacts.