Problem overview:
International commitments: The 1987 Montreal Protocol (MP) and its amendments established an ambitious schedule to reduce and eventually phase-out the production and consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone depleting substances (ODS). Following Malaysia's ratification in 1989, the government faced many challenges to implement its commitments given the importance of CFCs and Halons to the industrial sector.
Framework for coordination: The Government of Malaysia (GOM) created a National Steering Committee (NSC) to oversee the implementation of the national action plan, which paved the way for Malaysia's ratification in 1989. The NSC is comprised of a Technical Committee and industrial working groups (IWGs) on solvents, foam, aerosol, mobile air conditioning, refrigeration and fire protection. Other IGWs were established later to keep pace with the Protocol's amendments. In 1996, the Department of the Environment created the Ozone Protection Unit (OPU) to serve as the focal point and monitor Malaysia's phase-out activities.
Integrating all stakeholders: The concept of integrated stakeholder partnership with the industrial sector is a key feature of Malaysia's response and implementation strategy. Partnerships with NGOs are also integral part of the Government's awareness raising activities, particularly on the use of non-ODS technologies.
Background in summary:
International Commitment and Leadership: Although Malaysia enjoyed a grace period of ten years to meet the MP's initial phase-out schedule, the government pursued an ambitious proactive strategy and met its commitments well in advance of the Protocol's timeframe.
Malaysia also demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership to furthering the interests of developing countries in the follow-up negotiation process. Malaysia played a key role in negotiating the provisions of the Multilateral Fund (MLF). As a result of its assertiveness, Malaysia was one of the first and longest-running members to serve on the Executive Committee (EXCOM) of the MLF.
Country Programme, Action Plan and Phase-Out: Malaysia's Action Plan aims to progressively reduce the consumption of ODS in each sector by 2000 through multiple means, including control measures (e.g. enforcement of the Customs Duties Order), incentives (e.g. exemption of import taxes on ODS recycling machines), partnerships for awareness activities, road shows and training, as well as project implementation and monitoring.
Malaysia has also ratified the London, Copenhagen, Montreal and Beijing Amendments to the Montreal Protocol.
See document in full
Good practice rating:
(1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score) |
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Sustainability
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Efficiency
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| 1 |
 Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other. |
1 |
Cost efficient. |
| 2 |
Sustainable over time (not one-off) |
Process |
| Adaptability |
1 |
Participation of the community |
| 1 |
Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?) |
1 |
Participation of resource owners/users |
| 2 |
Socio-cultural adaptability. |
1 |
Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private) |
| 2 |
Level of development adaptability. |
1 |
Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments. |
| 2 |
Style of government adaptability. |
1 |
Ability to attract political interest/support |
| 1 |
Degree of decentralization adaptability. |
- |
Procedures for feedback and review. |
Comments on this example:
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Sustainability of the project:
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International commitments: The Government of Malaysia has met its international commitments on the protection of the ozone layer without compromising the survival and sustainable growth of its manufacturing industries for refrigerants, electronics, air conditioning, etc. In fact, my pursing an ambitious strategy and replacing ODS products with non-ODS one, Malaysia has increased the competitiveness on the international market.
Malaysia does face challenges to meet the commitments of the MP amendments and the transitional substances, such as HCFCs. Another challenge is moving from the manufacturing sector and ensuring that users in the servicing sector comply with the Protocol's phase-out.
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Adaptability of the project to other situations:
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Malaysia has received various awards over the past several years for its exceptionally successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol's CFC phase-out. The example can be applied to other countries with different levels of development and socio-cultural contexts. In fact, Malaysia has also shared its experience with other countries, including China, Indonesia, Egypt and Kazakhstan. Malaysia has also participated in the Round Table Discussion organized by UNEP, and has participated in many international conferences. One of the essential ingredients for success, however, has been Malaysia's commitment to international cooperation and assistance.
| Process of decision making and implementation: |
Integrating all stakeholders: Integrated partnership with the industrial sector is a key ingredient to the success of the Malaysian experience. Active involvement of civil society and nongovernmental organizations also contributed greatly to the success of implementing the Action Plan. The Department of the Environment (DOE) has initiated various activities during the phase-out process with the industrial working groups (IWGs), manufacturers, suppliers and users.
Framework for coordination: Malaysia's success story can also be attributed to the Government's early response to establish a National Steering Committee to oversee the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on ODS. The NCS is composed of representatives from various ministries, including MOSTE, MITI, MIDA (Malaysian Industrial Development Authority) and the Customs Department. The IWGs were also formed in close consultation with experts from key ODS industries.
The Government's involvement and support were critical to gain confidence of CFC manufacturers and consumers to participate in the phase-out programme.
Implementing the first phase of the CFC phase-out has been cost efficient for the government. In fact, as of the end of 1999, 121 projects and activities for phasing-out CFCs were financed through the MLF, totalling US$ 30.7 million.
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Documentation: |
Literature or other written project review references
Malaysia's Success Story in the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Department of the Environment, Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, Malaysia, November 1999.
The Secretariat of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol
1800 McGill College Avenue, 27th Floor,
Montreal, Qubec, Canada
H3A 3J6
URL http://www.unmfs.org/
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
The Ozone Secretariat
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
URL http://www.unep.org/ozone/mont_prt.htm
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Source of Information: |
Department of the Environment, Malaysia
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Contacts: |
Ozone Protection Unit
Department of the Environment
Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment
Level 1-7, Block C5, Parcel C
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62662 PUTRAJAYA
Malaysia
Tel. +60 3 8885 8000
Fax. +60 3 8889 9000/2973
URL www.jas.sains.my
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Submitted by: |
Dr. Brook Boyer
Consultant
Geneva, Switzerland
brook_boyer@hotmail.com
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