Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad launches Carbon Free Pavilion for Malaysia’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 October 2019 – Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today launches “Malaysia’s Net Zero Carbon Pavilion”
for the country’s participation at next year’s Expo 2020 Dubai.

The carbon emission calculation includes the embodied materials, the construction process and the operation within the Malaysia Pavilion for the 6 months duration of Expo 2020 Dubai which will be held from October 2020 to April 2021; and dismantling of the pavilion according to Expo 2020
Dubai’s requirement.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) unveiled the ‘Rainforest Canopy’ pavilion concept and design, which is set to be a sustainable
architecture with designs including energy efficiency features such as
photovoltaic, natural ventilation, LED lightings and water efficiency fittings.

The Malaysia Pavilion touches on the theme of Energising Sustainability,
focusing on Malaysia’s efforts and commitment in balancing economic
progress with environmental concern. In line with the Paris Agreement
(2016) and the Rio Earth Summit (1992), Malaysia aims to play her role
in the fight against climate change.

Speaking at the 74th United Nation General Assembly, Prime Minister,
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that ‘Malaysia’s current forest
cover is at 55.3 percent, or 18.3 million hectares of our total land area,
exceeding Malaysia’s initial commitment to the Rio Earth Summit, which
was 50%. This represents the nation’s will and commitment to conserve
and sustainably manage our forest.’

The construction of the Malaysia Pavilion will commence towards the end of 2019. The initiative for offsetting the carbon emission of the Malaysia Pavilion embodied material calculation will be completed by the time we
open the Pavilion doors to the public on 20th of October 2020.

This is a national initiative, in line with Malaysia’s efforts to reduce our
carbon emission by 45% by 2030, offsetting the carbon for the Malaysia
Pavilion is a step in the right direction. Although the Pavilion will be in
Dubai, the offsetting is being done in Malaysia.

With the cooperation and collaboration from various government and
private agencies, Malaysia is showing the world that she is serious in this
matter, and that it is not just a single effort, but the participation of the
entire nation, working together to achieve this goal. The inclusivity of other
bodies screams Malaysia’s desire to change, and to build a better future
for the country.

Hijjas Architects & Planners’ idea of the “Rainforest Canopy” not only
depicts Malaysia as housing one of the oldest rainforest in the world, but
also through their futuristic design of including heli-fans to enhance the
airflow, self-shading and green landscaping, solar panels and grey water
harvesting throughout the Pavilion. The Malaysia Pavilion itself has a
reduction of more than 20% of energy use. The materials used will also
be reused, once the pavilion is dismantled, according to the World Expo’s
regulation for Expo 2020 Dubai.

This is the first time an initiative like this is being proposed and
implemented for a pavilion at the World Expo. One of the sub-themes are
SUSTAINABILITY: Respecting and living in balance with the world we
inhabit to ensure a sustainable future for all. Staying true to the MyButterflyEffect campaign, Malaysia does not only want to be the first to initiate this idea, but would like to call for other Pavilions to come forward and also follow through with their plan to uphold their stand on
climate change, at the World Expo 2020.

YB Puan Yeo Bee Yin, Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change said: “We are telling the world that we are here, and we are going to be sustainable. Clearly this initiative will benefit
Malaysia in the long run. Malaysia’s Net Zero Carbon Pavilion will highlight
Malaysia’s commitment towards reducing our carbon emission, as agreed
in the Paris Agreement. The tree planting initiative will also ensure that
the nation will reforest more land areas, apart from the current
programmes being conducted by various national agencies, including the ASEAN Framework for Climate Change agenda, to continuously maintain
the 55% forest coverage.”

Acting Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer of GreenTech
Malaysia, Tuan Syed Ahmad Syed Mustafa said, “GreenTech Malaysia is
mandated to expand the adoption of innovation and sustainability across
all sectors through high-level strategic initiatives at international platforms
and we approach Malaysia’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai as one
such important avenue.”

“We are coordinating and collaborating with several parties to offer
Malaysian companies expanded opportunities at an incredible venue
globally recognised for thriving trade, technology and tourism. With almost
every nation participating at the Expo, we invite Malaysian companies to
step forward and maximise their potential for growth globally,” he
concluded.

When we do anything, whether we are driving to work, building a house
or just doing the groceries, we emit carbon with each step we take. Net
zero carbon is the act of balancing the carbon emission released for a
certain activity by eliminating the carbon emitted, minimising it or by
absorbing the equal amount emitted by offsetting it through on-site and/or
off-site renewable energy. Planting the correct amount of trees and given
enough time period for the carbon to be absorbed through the natural
process is also a method to achieve net zero carbon.

Themed Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, Expo 2020 Dubai will be
held for 6 months, starting from 20th of October 2020, aiming to build
partnerships and inspire ideas that will forge the world of tomorrow with
the participation of 192 nations and 25 million expected visits.

For partnerships, participation and sponsorship details on Expo 2020
Dubai, please email, expo2020dubai@greentechmalaysia.my

The website for the Malaysia Pavilion www.malaysiaexpo2020.com