MCMC targets 15m devices for sustainable management

THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), through its Lestari: Sustainability Framework and Roadmap 2030 (SFR2030), is targeting 15 million devices to be managed sustainably by 2030.

MCMC said in a statement that this would be achieved through the reuse, upgrading and replacement of devices with more efficient technologies, as well as responsible recycling.

It said the initiative also aims to benefit five million people through social impact programmes, while reducing electronic waste (e-waste), extending device lifespans and expanding access to technology.

"Lestari: SFR2030 sets the sustainability direction for the telecommunications, broadcasting, postal and courier sectors through to 2030."

The initiative's launch was officiated by Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil here yesterday.

Under the initiative, devices that remain usable will be refurbished and reused to help reduce the cost of device ownership.

The effort also supports the strengthening of the circular economy by reducing e-waste and promoting more efficient use of resources.

Lestari also supports the communications and multimedia sector's transition towards the aspiration of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while strengthening efforts related to energy efficiency, renewable energy use and carbon emissions reduction.

The framework translates the country's sustainability aspirations into sector-level action, in line with Malaysia Madani, the 13th Malaysia Plan, the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), Malaysia's climate commitments and the aspiration to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as early as 2050.

Lestari was developed together with industry players through engagement sessions involving 116 participants from 47 organisations.

It provides a common direction for advancing the sustainability agenda in the communications and multimedia sector in a more structured and integrated manner through three main pillars:

Climate and Environmental Sustainability focuses on energy efficiency, carbon emissions reduction, renewable energy, the circular economy and infrastructure resilience.

Social Impact and Inclusivity covers inclusivity, safety, skills and the wellbeing of people.

Technology and Innovation focuses on the use of technology, artificial intelligence and low-carbon innovation to accelerate sustainability-related solutions.

The implementation of Lestari will be monitored regularly based on targets and indicators agreed upon with the industry to ensure each initiative achieves its intended outcomes.

Also introduced was the Net Zero & Circularity Alliance (NZCA), an industry collaboration platform aimed at reducing carbon emissions and expanding efforts to collect, reuse and recycle devices in a more structured manner.

As an initial demonstration of commitment to the sustainability agenda for the communications and multimedia sector, 15 organisations from various segments of the digital ecosystem also signed a pledge of support for Lestari and NZCA.

Fahmi, in his speech, said the government was opening the door for players in the telecommunications, broadcasting, postal and courier sectors to submit proposals to accelerate energy transition in their respective sectors in line with NETR.

"If you have proposals that you would like us to look at to help and accelerate your transition in accordance with the NETR plan, let us know.

"Let us understand and work together. This Earth belongs to all of us, and we must ensure that we succeed as a country.

"We need to take care of the planet and we also need to take care of one another."

Efforts to accelerate energy transition require cooperation across various sectors as each industry has different needs and impacts on energy consumption.

Fahmi said the telecommunications sector was among those that needed attention given its energy requirements to ensure the country's communications infrastructure continued to operate.

"In our country, to ensure Internet coverage reaches the entire nation, every tower that is built requires energy, and some of these towers, particularly in rural areas, do not have access to the grid.

"But they are equipped with diesel generators. I only realised, when I took on the responsibility as communications minister, that the amount of diesel required by a tower each month is not insignificant."

He said Malaysia could have about 60,000 telecommunications towers nationwide, highlighting the scale of energy consumption required to keep them operational.