ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANAGEMENT TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: THE NEED FOR AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Issues on the ever-growing demand for energy, limited fossil fuels, difficulties in obtaining viable, sustainable energy for sustainable development, and adverse impacts on global climate change have driven the international community towards the use of cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. In addition to the sustained availability and utilisation of renewable energy sources, many countries have developed and implemented energy policies to address the above issues as well as to conserve energy in line with Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This doctrinal analysis is performed to identify the extent to which energy efficiency and conservation imperatives in Malaysia have been implemented and explore the need to enact a legal framework for energy efficiency in this country. The aim of this paper is to detail the prospects of energy efficiency in Malaysia and discuss efforts made to enable energy efficiency practices with a view toward the sustainability of energy supply for future use. The outcomes of this study demonstrate that the implementation of energy efficiency in the country is consistent with one of the core agenda items for the economies to progress as recommended by the United Nations General Assembly through SDG 7. Nevertheless, without specific legislation for the implementation of energy efficiency, efforts to strengthen the management and implementation of energy efficiency in Malaysia will not be possible.