Malaysia's pledge to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 percent by 2020 as compared to 2005 levels demonstrates the seriousness the Malaysian government attaches to climate change, said British High Commissioner to Malaysia Boyd McCleary.

He said the United Kingdom (UK) welcomed the statement on this by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak at the Copenhagen climate change summit yesterday.

"The prime minister's willingness to put a figure on the table can only help the talks taking place in Copenhagen," he said in a statement today.

NONE McCleary said the UK government agreed with Najib that moving towards to a low carbon economy was the only sensible path and offered significant opportunities for emerging economies.

"I hope that Malaysia's pledge and the other offers made by developed and developing countries will help us to achieve an ambitious global agreement in Copenhagen to prevent dangerous climate change," he said.

Yesterday, Malaysia had agreed to reduce its carbon dioxide emission to 40 percent by the year 2020 compared to 2005 levels subject to assistance from developed countries.

In his speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 at Copenhagen, Najib said the cut was conditional upon receiving transfer of technology and adequate financing from the developed world.

United Nations data shows Malaysia's carbon emissions in 2006 stood at 187 million tonnes or 7.2 tonnes from each Malaysian.

Related report: Najib wants at least US$200 bil from rich nations

- Bernama