The Malaysian Climate Change Group (MCCG), comprising non-governmental organizations, was launched in December 16, 1992 in Kuala Lumpur at the end of the CANSEA Research and Monitoring Workshop. The founding members are:

· Environmental Protection Society, Malaysia (EPSM)

· Centre for Environment, Technology and Development, Malaysia (CETDEM)

· Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)

The secretariat was hosted by the EPSM until 1994. Since then, CETDEM has taken over the role. Gurmit Singh is the MCCG coordinator. Since December 2001, Dr. Lye Tuck-Po has been the Assistant Coordinator.

In Aug 2002, one additional NGO, Perak Consumers' Association (PCA) has joined the MCCG.

To date, the MCCG remains the only non-governmental body in Malaysia that actively addresses climate change issues. It has developed a good profile internationally; locally, member organizations have good working relationships with government agencies. We have developed a wealth of knowledge of how climate change issues and impacts relate to the broad socio-economic-political terrain in Malaysia, and what needs to be done by all sectors of Malaysian society to address the long-term problems of climate change.

Members recognize that one of the MCCG's strengths is its informality and flexibility but accept that we cannot be complacent: there is still much work to do! Public awareness of climate issues is a larmingly low, and scientific understanding of mitigation and adaptation strategies still developing.

1) Share and disseminate information on climate change issues.

2) Coordinate activities at the national level.

3) Play an active role in CANSEA and CAN and international events concerning climate change.

4) Lobby the Malaysian government to be proactive on climate change issues.

National

1) MMCC Project 2002-2004. Click here for further information on the project to mobilize Malaysians to address climate change. As part of MMCC activities, members have undertaken exercises to plan strategies for strengthening the network's capacity to address climate change, both in Malaysia and internationally, and hopes to expand the membership base.

2) Actively provide inputs to Malaysian government positions

3) Lobbying through the media & direct representation against activities that lead to greater GHG emissions

4) Promoting greater public awareness

Regional

1) CANSEA membership

2) Attempts to influence ASEAN action on the issues

International

1) Participation in UNFCCC meetings as well as those of CAN.

2) Strengthening the lobbying positions of CANSEA

MCCG Position Paper No. : 1/ 02

Priorities in Technology Transfer

For reducing GHG emissions

INTRODUCTION

There has been much talk since 1992, both in the context of UNFCCC as well as UNCED, about technology transfer BUT very little action. With almost a decade wasted, NGOs & countries [especially from the South] need to develop some directions for getting urgent action taken in this area. This short paper tries to set out some broad outlines as to what the priorities should be.

THE PRIORITIES

Firstly, let us get the concepts right. Technology is never transferred but shared by the owner with others through licensing or some other means. And it consists of both the hardware and software. Fully sharing would mean that the personnel of the recipient are able to adapt or modify the technology. This capacity building must be a cornerstone of measuring the success of any TS [technology sharing].

Secondly, sharing is not exclusively a North-South or developed-developing country one-way path but is omni directional. No nation has the exclusive domain over critical technologies although some have more than others.

Thirdly, patenting or private property rights must not be allowed to obstruct the resolution of global environmental problems like climate change by placing insurmountable barriers to TS.

Fourthly, technologies need to be carefully screened and evaluated by all parties to any sharing arrangement so that such sharing actually reduces GHG emissions or provides positive environmental benefits.

Fifthly, the intended beneficiaries of any TS must fully participate in discussions leading up to the TS actually taking place so that they have an ownership stake in the final technology when it arrives.

Sixthly, the technology must blend into the cultural, social, religious and value systems of the host community.

Seventhly, technologies must not be evaluated on a stand-alone basis but as a mixture that will solve the needs of, say an energy-starved rural community.

OPTIONS

Using the above priorities, the following technologies can be considered as useful options for abating global warming:

1. Windmills

2. PVs

3. Solar heaters, driers & cookers

4. Micro-hydro turbines

5. Energy conservation, especially on systems basis

6. Biogas & biomass with full combustion

7. Efficient, clean & affordable public transport system

8. CNG, fuel cells and other "low" carbon fuels

9. Engines & motors with least losses [energy wastage]

10. Facilities for safer use of non-motorised transport e.g. bicycles

11. Organic agriculture.

12. Pollution prevention & resource reduction processes

13. Permanent carbon fixation.

14. Improved passive design changes to built-structures like housing & offices.

ACTION

Malaysia, which has been active in the technology transfer discussions within the UNFCCC, should use the above priorities and options to help get the last SBSTA and COP decisions on technology transfer translated into concrete action in the shortest possible time. If necessary, it should get other ASEAN nations to establish a regional TT evaluation centre so that the technologies meet our priorities and needs.

It should also ensure that the expert group on technology transfer [as decided upon by COP7] produces a useful report at the forthcoming COP8, where the secretariat is also required to show that an information clearing house on the subject is operational. MCCG, on its part, will actively push for these priorities and action within CAN and the larger NGO community.

-Gurmit Singh, MCCG Coordinator