Abstract
Two activities in Malaysia that emit large amounts of CO2 are electricity generation, and iron and steel production. To decarbonize the former, Malaysia should invest in a flexible energy system to overcome the intermittent characteristic of solar energy by influencing the pattern of demand with peak load pricing, increasing energy storage capability, and entering into a regional electricity grid arrangement. Malaysia should respond to the recent large capacity expansion in iron and steel production with blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) technology by ending immediately the issuance of new licenses for facilities that use this BF-BOF technology, and speed up the process of adopting advanced green, near-zero emission technologies (e.g., Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology [HYBRIT]), by applying for foreign technical assistance (e.g., the United Nations Climate Technology Center and Networks [UN-CTCN]) and for concessionary climate finance under the Paris Agreement. Finally, to be consistent with the 1.5°C pathway for the world, Malaysia should aim to commit to achieve peak carbon emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.