KUALA LUMPUR: The fight for a sustainable future must go beyond policies and pledges and be driven by courage, compassion and shared responsibility, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
 

Fadillah said the effects of climate change are no longer distant threats but lived realities reshaping economies, communities and daily life.
 

“The earth is not ours; it is a trust we hold for those who come after us,” he said.
 

Fadillah added that sustainability is not merely a policy pursuit but a moral responsibility to protect what has been entrusted to us.
 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister spoke at the Sustainability Environment Asia Conference 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Thursday (Nov 13).
 

He praised the conference for bringing together leaders, experts and innovators to discuss solutions on ESG, water and carbon management, adding these are pillars that define the well being of people and the planet.

Fadillah said Malaysia’s path toward a greener future is guided by the Energy Trilemma, which ensures that energy remains secure, affordable and sustainable.
 

He added that under the National Energy Transition Roadmap, Malaysia aims for 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050.
 

He said the country has surpassed its 2025 target ahead of schedule.“Our mission is not just about meeting numbers, but transforming lives and strengthening resilience,” he said.
 

He said programmes such as the Corporate Green Power Programme, Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme and Large Scale Solar PETRA 5+ are accelerating the transition.
 

Fadillah added Malaysia’s approach remains pragmatic, expanding solar, hydro, waste to energy and green hydrogen backed by storage systems.
 

He said that natural gas will be used as a transition fuel and added that the government is also exploring the potential role of nuclear energy under MP13.
 

On water, Fadillah said Malaysia aspires to be a regional centre of excellence by 2040 through innovation and digitalisation.
 

He said clean water and sanitation coverage in rural areas is 97.1% and added that the target is 98% by the end of 2025.
 

“As Malaysia grows into a regional data centre hub, we are proactively managing water consumption,” he said.He said this includes reviewing tariffs for heavy industries and promoting recycled water and district cooling.
 

Fadillah said economic progress must align with sustainability goals and that Asean energy ministers reaffirmed regional goals at AMEM 43.
 

He said targets include reducing energy intensity by 40% and raising renewables in primary energy to 30% by 2030 and that the region also targets 45% renewable capacity by 2030.
 

“These ambitions will help Asean rise as the world’s fourth largest economy,” he said.
 

He added that growth must be built on shared sustainability and resilience and called for stronger collaboration across sectors as transformation cannot be achieved alone.
 

“Governments can set the direction, but transformation must come from partnerships,” he said.

He said this includes public private collaboration and bridging knowledge and action.

“Let us build a Malaysia where progress uplifts humanity and prosperity honours the planet,” said Fadillah.

He added that every generation should inherit a brighter future.