National Planetary Health Action Plan aims to transform Malaysia’s environmental, health outcomes

SHAH ALAM - In a significant move towards enhancing Malaysia's environmental and health outcomes, the Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) Ministry in partnership with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and relevant agencies, will develop the National Planetary Health Action Plan (NPHAP).

In an announcement made by National Science Council, it said the initiative was centered on human well-being and incorporated science, technology, and innovation (STI) while being nature-based and value-driven.

Guided by the vision of ‘A Preserved Earth, Healthy People and a Prosperous Malaysia’, the NPHAP focused on six key areas essential for success, which are environment and health, food sustainability, research and education, energy transition, governance and values, cultural shift, behavioural change and communication.

To reverse the declining planetary boundaries in Malaysia, five critical systemic shifts must occur.

"These include strengthening governance and management of natural resources, promoting a healthy and prosperous value-driven nation, fostering planet-friendly businesses, enhancing effective communication rooted in nature and values, and establishing sustainable financing for planetary health initiatives," MOSTI said in a statement.

Based on these transitions, the NPHAP outlined 53 strategies and 275 action plans across the identified key areas.

The support of stakeholders is important in ensuring the success of the NPHAP.

Rather than completely overhauling the existing system, the plan aimed to utilise the current framework while redefining practices through these transitions.

"One initiative includes integrating Planetary Health into government policies by broadening the existing Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) governance structure.

"Moreover, the NPHAP supports businesses in transitioning to Planetary Health-friendly technologies and models, particularly benefiting micro and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia’s less industrialised regions," it added.

The ministry said this strategy also involved developing a robust communication plan to engage diverse groups and industries about the link between Planetary Health and overall well-being.

Additionally, the establishment of a Planetary Health Expert Advisory Group aimed to shift public sentiment and behaviour towards Planetary Health actions, highlighting the need to reassess support systems within this ecosystem.

"Quality education is a fundamental component of the NPHAP, ensuring that environmental issues are addressed at all educational levels, from schools to higher education institutions and industry training.

"This holistic approach aims to cultivate knowledgeable, innovative communities and promote positive behavioural changes through education and research," the statement read.

The involvement of stakeholders is important in ensuring the success of the NPHAP.

Therefore, successful implementation of the NPHAP required collaboration from a wide range of stakeholders, including federal and state governments, the private sector, media, youth, religious organisations and educational institutions.

By embracing the responsibilities assigned to each individual within society, the NPHAP aspires to realise its vision.

The roots of this initiative could be traced back to 2015 when global leaders adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the concept of Planetary Health was introduced by leading scientists.

According to the Lancet-Rockefeller Foundation Commission, Planetary Health refers to the interconnectedness of human civilisation and the natural systems upon which it relies, highlighting an urgent call to action amid the alarming degradation of these systems due to human activities.