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Malaysia and Japan plan major cross-border carbon capture project, despite climate benefit doubts

Ottumwa Courier · last updated

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Japan wants to ship carbon emissions to Malaysia in a first-of-its-kind project in Southeast Asia for carbon capture and storage, a widely debated process that critics say is more symbolic than effective in curbing climate change.

Despite such doubts, Malaysia is positioning itself as Southeast Asia’s hub for the alternative technology, a three-step process that captures, transports and buries carbon dioxide which contributes to climate change. With about 81% of Malaysia’s electricity generated from fossil fuels, climate activists say carbon capture is an expensive distraction from proven emissions-reducing actions such as transitioning to renewable energy.

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