UUM ONLINE: The School of Law, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) hosted a seminar titled “Climate Change Policy and Law 2024” under the theme “Education Paradigm Shift Towards Sustainable Climate Change”. Held on 30 December 2024 in a hybrid format, the event brought together nearly 100 participants from various sectors to explore innovative approaches to addressing climate change.
The seminar began with an inspiring opening address by Professor Dr. Harlida Abdul Wahab, Dean of the School of Law, UUM. She emphasized the urgency of tackling climate change and highlighted the critical role of education in driving sustainable solutions. Her speech set the stage for an afternoon filled with insightful presentations and dynamic discussions.
The seminar featured two distinguished speakers who shed light on critical dimensions of climate change policy and law. Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd. Rizal Razali, a lecturer at the School of Technology Management and Logistics, delivered a presentation titled “Waste Less, Circle More: The Circular Economy Approach to Climate Change”.
He emphasized the transformative potential of the circular economy in mitigating climate change by shifting from traditional linear models to circular practices. These practices, he explained, can reduce waste, conserve resources, and curb greenhouse gas emissions. His session highlighted actionable strategies, such as adopting the "reduce, reuse, and recycle" philosophy and incentivizing industries to implement sustainable production processes.
The second speaker, Mr. Jia Yaw Kiu, an advocate and solicitor from Messrs. Kiu & Co, delivered a talk on “Recent Developments on the Climate Change Bill (RUUPIN)”. He provided a comprehensive analysis of the bill, examining its legislative framework and alignment with Malaysia’s international climate commitments. Mr. Kiu outlined provisions for reducing carbon emissions and fostering accountability across industries, sparking engaged discussions on balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The hybrid format of the seminar facilitated robust engagement among physical and virtual attendees. Participants actively contributed to lively Q&A sessions following each presentation, posing thought-provoking questions that sparked meaningful discussions into the practical implications of climate policies.
Attendee praised the seminar for its relevance and the depth of expertise demonstrated by the speakers. Many expressed their commitment to integrating the insights gained to their professional and academic pursuits.
The Seminar on Climate Change Policy and Law 2024 reaffirmed the importance of education and multi-sectoral collaboration in advancing sustainable solutions. The School of Law, UUM remains steadfast in its mission to foster impactful discussions and initiatives on climate change and sustainability.
The seminar was part of a research project deliverable co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ CBHE Program on “Curricula Development on Climate Change Policy and Law”. It also served as a dissemination initiative for an upcoming master’s program on climate change policy and law, which will be offered by the School of Law, UUM.