Malaysian plantations minister Johari Abdul Ghani is set to assume responsibility for the environment portfolio.
Malaysia is taking significant steps towards a low-carbon future, with a focus on expanding solar power capacity, increasing the renewable share of the power mix, and transitioning electricity tariffs to be more cost-reflective of generation and renewable integration costs.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES), now led by Johari Abdul Ghani, is at the forefront of these initiatives. Johari, who previously served as Deputy Finance Minister under former Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib Razak, has taken over the duties and functions of the NRES Ministry, effective immediately, following the resignation of Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad on 4 July.
One of Johari's key initiatives is the drafting of Malaysia's National Climate Change Bill, which is planned to be tabled in parliament this year. The bill is expected to provide a legal framework for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in the country. In addition, the NRES Ministry is also working on the country's first National Adaptation Plan, scheduled for completion next year.
The NRES Ministry is also drafting a carbon market policy, which may include plans to establish a domestic emissions trading scheme. Efforts to implement a carbon tax in 2026 for Malaysia's hard-to-abate industries, including energy, steel, and cement, are ongoing but are being overseen by the Finance Ministry, not the NRES.
Johari has proposed the use of palm oil waste as a renewable energy source to replace coal, in line with the government's aim to phase out coal from the energy system by 2044. While there is no explicit recent policy detail connecting palm oil waste to renewable energy or carbon management under the NRES, historically, Malaysia has harnessed palm oil biomass for bioenergy. The current national thrust on broadening renewable sources and decarbonization likely includes biomass opportunities, although specific initiatives on palm oil waste were not mentioned in the available 2025 documents.
Malaysia's policies prioritize solar expansion, renewable capacity growth, tariff reforms, and nuclear plans for a low-carbon future. The government has launched a 2 GW utility-scale solar tender in 2025, including 500 MW for floating solar projects, and prepared for a fifth large-scale solar (LSS5) program later in 2025 to add more capacity. Investment is rising notably, with the national utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad committing to more than double its capital expenditure to support infrastructure for clean energy growth.
Regarding carbon management, Malaysia is transitioning electricity tariffs to be more cost-reflective of generation and renewable integration costs, aimed at improving system efficiency and incentivizing clean energy investments. This could also promote corporate adoption of green energy solutions due to clearer pricing signals on fossil fuel use.
As for the governance aspect, there is no information in the search results about any changes or effects following the resignation of Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from the NRES Ministry. Therefore, it is unclear how the leadership change has influenced policies on renewables or carbon markets.
In summary, Malaysia’s policies prioritize solar expansion, renewable capacity growth, tariff reforms, and nuclear plans for a low-carbon future, while biomass such as palm oil waste might be part of broader renewable strategies though not specifically highlighted recently. No public details were found on the direct impact of the NRES minister’s resignation on these plans or the carbon market. For the most current on palm oil waste utilization and carbon market details under NRES, further direct updates from the ministry would be needed.
- Johari Abdul Ghani, the new head of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES), is spearheading initiatives for a low-carbon future in Malaysia.
- Prior to his role in NRES, Johari was Deputy Finance Minister under former Prime Minister Najib Razak.
- One of Johari's key initiatives is drafting Malaysia's National Climate Change Bill.
- The National Climate Change Bill aims to provide a legal framework for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in the country.
- The NRES Ministry is also working on the country's first National Adaptation Plan.
- A carbon market policy is also being drafted by the NRES Ministry, which may include plans for a domestic emissions trading scheme.
- Efforts to implement a carbon tax for hard-to-abate industries are ongoing, but are overseen by the Finance Ministry.
- Johari proposes using palm oil waste as a renewable energy source to replace coal, supporting the government's aim to phase out coal by 2044.
- Solar expansion, renewable capacity growth, tariff reforms, and nuclear plans are prioritized for a low-carbon future in Malaysia.
- A 2 GW utility-scale solar tender was launched in 2025, including 500 MW for floating solar projects.
- The fifth large-scale solar (LSS5) program is planned for later in 2025 to add more capacity.
- Investment in clean energy infrastructure is rising, with Tenaga Nasional Berhad committing to doubling its capital expenditure.
- Transitioning electricity tariffs to be cost-reflective aims to improve system efficiency and incentivize clean energy investments.
- Clearer pricing signals on fossil fuel use could promote corporate adoption of green energy solutions.
- There is no information about changes or effects following the resignation of Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from the NRES Ministry.
- The leadership change's influence on policies on renewables or carbon markets is unclear.
- Malaysia’s focus on biomass such as palm oil waste may be part of broader renewable strategies, though not specifically highlighted recently.
- No public details were found on the direct impact of the NRES minister’s resignation on these plans or the carbon market.
- For the most current on palm oil waste utilization and carbon market details under NRES, direct updates from the ministry would be needed.
- The low-carbon future policies prioritize renewable energy sources like solar power and biomass.
- The renewable share of Malaysia's power mix is being expanded while efforts to phase out coal are underway.
- A sustainable lifestyle, including eco-friendly choices in fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden, can support Malaysia's renewable energy vision.
- Saving energy at home can help reduce carbon footprints and contribute positively to the country's renewable energy goals.
- Investing in renewable energy projects is growing in popularity among both corporations and individual investors.
- Wealth management firms are developing sustainable investment portfolios to cater to clients focused on personal-finance sustainability.
- Real-estate developers are incorporating sustainable building practices, aiming to create energy-efficient buildings and homes.
- Data-and-cloud-computing companies are working to reduce their carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency and utilizing renewable energy sources.
- Technology innovation in renewable energy storage solutions can help solve energy intermittency issues and further support the transition to a low-carbon future.
- Businesses in all sectors, including finance, personal-finance, and lifestyle industries, have a role to play in promoting sustainability and reducing carbon emissions.
- Education-and-self-development resources on sustainability, mindfulness, and personal-growth can equip individuals with knowledge to contribute to Malaysia's energy transition and SDG goals.
