He said if such resources were effectively harnessed, energy consumption would not need to be rationed.

“Similarly, current methods of food production, whether of crops, livestock or fish, can be adapted so that they become sustainable and regenerative rather than damaging,” he said at the Cooler Earth Sustainability Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Bernama reported.

“Technological advances will help us greatly in this quest, such as with the use of drones to make fertiliser delivery more precise, or the increase of battery capacity to facilitate energy storage.

“Economic growth thus can and must continue, but it must be decoupled from its current overuse of limited natural resources and over-reliance on fragile ecosystems.”

Sultan Nazrin said this transition does not require Malaysia to abandon economic growth altogether nor must there be a trade-off between growth and sustainability as such trade-off would unfairly preclude further development for many.

He said working towards sustainability required greatly improved environmental governance. Therefore, much better regulatory and administrative coordination must be developed among the agencies that manage environmental matters.

“We need to put into place an ecosystem-based approach that includes all stakeholders and always place broad-based social and economic inclusion at the centre of our sustainability strategies.

“Inclusive development, by definition, must embrace the needs of both current and future generations. Choices made now will leave an indelible mark on the country’s future,” he said.

Sultan Nazrin said the transition to a better world must be realised and cannot just be chatter and lip service. Therefore, he said, policies and incentives must be adapted to ensure that growth continues, but in a way that is sustainable and inclusive.