In this week’s Infrastructure Policy Watch, Malaysia speeds up net zero policies, and New Zealand increases public transport funding.
Malaysia takes measures to speed up net zero delivery
The Malaysian government has agreed to speed up key policies to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
These include:
- The New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP), to boost the manufacturing sector by 2030.
- The National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), to reach 70% renewable energy by 2050.
- The Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap (HETR), to make Malaysia a leading hydrogen economy country by 2050.
The government will also speed up new legislation such as the National Climate Change Bill.
The ICE’s view
Malaysia’s action aligns with recommendations in the ICE’s policy position statement on public behaviour and net zero.
Over 65% of emissions reductions to 2035 must involve some form of public choice. Delivering infrastructure that enables net zero-friendly behaviours is central to reducing emissions.
The ICE has also made the case for investing in infrastructure to support economic growth and improve public services.
A long-term vision that cuts across political cycles is key to sustainable development and reaching net zero goals.
The ICE continues to champion the importance of strategic infrastructure planning through the Enabling Better Infrastructure (EBI) programme.
New Zealand government invests in public transport
The New Zealand government has announced a 41% increase in public transport funding compared to 2021-24.
The proposed budget comes from the National Land Transport Fund, which the New Zealand Transport Agency invests every three years through National Land Transport Programmes.
This funding, a record amount, aims to improve the reliability of public transport services and technology across the country.
By investing in public transport, the government hopes to encourage people to use public transport, reduce private car use, and lower congestion and carbon emissions.
The ICE’s view
This announcement is an important step towards creating a more sustainable and efficient transport system in New Zealand.
By allocating a significant increase in funding towards public transport, the government is showing commitment to addressing climate change and reducing the country’s carbon footprint.
This aligns with announcements in the recent New Zealand budget aiming to balance cost-of-living relief with economic growth while protecting the environment.
The ICE-led Enabling Better Infrastructure programme sets out guidelines for policymakers to consider the short- and long-term affordability of infrastructure, including taxation and user charges.
