By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 10: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has emphasised the critical need for immediate action in addressing climate change following confirmation by Copernicus Climate Change Service that January 2025 was the warmest January ever recorded globally.
Highlighting the report, he said that January 2025 recorded temperatures nearing 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, noting the alarming trend towards reaching the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement.
“At this rate, extreme weather, rising sea levels, and ecosystem disruptions are becoming more evident, with Southeast Asia among the most vulnerable. This highlights the urgency for decisive action.
“Therefore, it is important to take a step back and reflect on the bigger picture, the rapidly changing world around us and the challenges we face.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is unfolding before our eyes, disrupting economies, straining ecosystems, and reshaping the way we live and work,” he said during a public lecture at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore today, where his text speech was made available to the media.
Abang Johari highlighted several initiatives and programmes undertaken by the Sarawak government to tackle climate change, such as the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), which serves as a roadmap for Sarawak to achieve prosperity, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability by 2030.
He also elaborated that Sarawak has reinforced environmental governance through key policies, namely the Land (Carbon Storage) Rules 2022 for Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS), the Greenhouse Gas Emission Ordinance 2023, and the Natural Resources and Environment Bill 2024 to enhance resource governance.
Other initiatives and projects that the Premier touched on included Sarawak’s transition to renewable energy, such as hydropower, solar power, and wind power, as well as hybrid renewables, such as solar-hydro and solar-wind systems.
He also shared on the launching of a 500MW hydrogen-ready Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT), scheduled for completion in 2027, as well as Sarawak’s goal to boost electricity capacity to 10GW by 2030 and 15GW by 2035.
In addition, he also highlighted how Sarawak’s partnerships with Japan, South Korea, and China are expanding the State’s hydrogen supply chain, positioning it as a leader in the Asia-Pacific green hydrogen economy.
Also highlighted were the Sarawak Gas Roadmap launched last November, research into microalgae-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030.
“Sarawak demonstrates that economic growth and environmental responsibility can progress together.
“Our journey reflects how strong policies, community engagement, and global collaboration drive sustainability. I hope this sharing encourages further action,” he said. — DayakDaily
