Malaysia vows strong safeguards in Japan CO₂ storage deal
The natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry says any cross-border CO₂ storage arrangement would be strictly governed by bilateral or multilateral agreements. (Wikimedia Commons pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : The government has pledged to enforce strict environmental and legal safeguards, amid reports of an agreement with Japan for liquefied carbon dioxide (CO₂) to be stored in offshore sites beginning as early as 2030.
In a statement to FMT, the natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry said the government was committed to upholding the 'highest environmental and safety standards'.
It stressed that all carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects would be subjected to rigorous environmental impact assessments (EIA), real-time monitoring and robust regulatory oversight.
'Long-term monitoring protocols will include seismic surveys, well integrity checks and the use of advanced technologies to detect any potential leaks,' the ministry said, adding that a dedicated legal framework was being developed to ensure environmental protection and accountability.
The ministry's statement follows a report that Japan plans to export CO₂ for underground storage in Malaysia through a partnership involving Mitsui & Co., Kansai Electric Power, and state oil company Petronas.
Nikkei Asia reported that the stored carbon from Japanese power plants and factories would be injected into depleted gas fields in Malaysian waters, with the Malaysian government expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with Japan by this year.
The Japanese daily also reported that Japan was aiming to store up to 10 million tonnes of CO₂ annually in Malaysia as part of its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Addressing concerns that Malaysia could become a dumping ground for foreign emissions, the ministry said any cross-border CO₂ storage arrangement would be governed strictly under bilateral or multilateral agreements.
These will align with international standards and clearly define legal responsibilities, risk-sharing mechanisms and safeguards to prevent misuse, said the ministry.
'Malaysia's priority is to safeguard its national interest, environmental integrity and sovereignty,' the ministry stated.
'Malaysia will only accept carbon storage projects that are environmentally sound, economically beneficial and aligned with our national climate goals.'
The ministry also said that storing CO₂ for another country would not affect Malaysia's own carbon budget or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target under the Paris Agreement.
'Technically, receiving CO₂ from other countries, including Japan, does not affect Malaysia's NDC target,' the ministry said.
'However, if the storage site leaks in the future, then Malaysia will be responsible for it.'
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