Dr. Negin Vaghefi

  • Expertise: Environmental Economics, Green economy, Climate Change impacts on Agriculture and Food Supply
  • Penang Institute


Envelope

Bio

She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Economics and Master in Environmental Management from Universiti Putra Malaysia. She has over seven years of professional experience in conducting
qualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, sustainability assessment and policy analysis. She has published various scientific research papers, policy briefs, and monographs. Her research interests include environmental economics, climate change, sustainable development, green economy, blue economy, and food security, among others.

  • Affiliations

  • Program Manager Energy Transformation at the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR)
  • Researcher and Energy Information Specialist at the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) – (2018 – 2021)
  • System Development Officer/Plant Engineer at PT Pamapersada Nusantara – (2010 – 2015)

Quotes

“In recent years, Malaysia has accelerated its transition to the green economy to tackle the devastating effects of climate change, as well as to provide a balance between economic development and environmental preservation and social well-being. The country is in fact making a great progress towards transition to a low-carbon and green economy by adopting a resource efficient and climate resilient development pathway. Besides its immense implications for
sustainable development, shifting to a greener economy presents new business opportunities. Malaysia’s economy can benefit from this transition through technological innovation, green investment, new export markets for green goods and services, and a dynamic private sector. Technological change and innovation are indeed key components of a green economy strategy. Malaysia has taken proactive steps toward adopting green technology. Moreover, transition to a green economy is expected to lead to a creation of green jobs in a range of existing sectors including manufacturing, construction and agriculture, as well as in new and emerging sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. Yet, a key challenge, moving forward, will be the shortage of skills required to meet the needs of changing and newly emerging occupations, which is an
important hurdle to green investments and the implementation of green growth strategies. Skills policies should therefore focus on upskilling, and/or reskilling the workforce to facilitate the transition to a greener economy and seize the employment opportunities that the transition entails.”