By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Feb 11: Sarawak’s vast potential and opportunities in nature-based solutions, particularly in the forestry sector, is expected to generate approximately RM700 million in revenue.
According to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, this reinforces Sarawak’s aspiration to promote biodiversity as a natural capital for competitive advantage in the pursuit of green growth, apart from producing biomass energy and carbon sinks.
“It is essentially a concept of the ‘bioeconomy’ model that has the potential to capitalise on and preserve social and biological diversity, while valuing the knowledge, ways of life of traditional population and ensuring an inclusive distribution of benefits,” he said during Asean Education Cities Conference (AECC) 2023 at Sunway University in Selangor, today.
Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak’s Green Economy will also integrate circular economy approaches to produce high value-added products and energy sources to offset its associated carbon footprint.
He said by prioritising quality of growth over quantity of growth, Sarawak government can ensure that the economic benefits of development are shared by all members of society, including protecting the environment for future generations.
“One of the key components of the Sarawak Green Economy initiative is the development of a hydrogen economy.
“It will leverage low carbon opportunities in nature-based solutions and technology to drive economic growth while reducing our impact on the environment,” he added. — DayakDaily
