Rights to carbon within Sarawak’s natural landscape resides with Sarawak

Abang Johari delivering his closing speech during Sarawak OGSE Roadshow 2022 at BCCK today (June 23, 2022).

By Ling Hui

KUCHING, June 23: The rights to carbon within Sarawak’s natural landscape resides with Sarawak which is a heaven for nature-based solution projects, says Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said with the recent amendment to the Sarawak Forestry Ordinance, there are now relevant legislations to govern carbon within the ambit of nature-based solutions.

“Leveraging on low carbon opportunities in nature-based solutions coupled with technology, Sarawak is now transitioning to building a hydrogen economy.

“Sarawak shall create an ideal ecosystem for the hydrogen economy, to be a pioneer in Asia Pacific to explore, innovate and produce green hydrogen,” he said.

Abang Johari also said Sarawak is well-positioned to capture new growth opportunities in the transition towards net-zero carbon emissions and create energy transitions towards safe, responsible and cost effective with abated emissions.

With the recent passing of the amendments to the Land Code, he said Sarawak now has a good start to regulate Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) activities within its territory.

He explained that CCUS plays a key role in the energy transition space as it is essential for decarbonisation of hydrocarbon portfolios and heavy industries.

“I strongly believe that the provision of the sustainable energy is a prerequisite to sustainable economic and social development.

“We are committed to maintaining at least 60 per cent of our power generation capacity mix from renewable sources by 2030.

“These present vital pathways for economic growth as well as income-generating activities,“ said Abang Johari in his closing remarks at Sarawak OGSE Roadshow 2022 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.

During the event, a Head of Agreement was also formalised today between the Sarawak government through Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), Sarawak Shell Berhad and PPTEP HK Offshore Limited, to build a petrochemical industrial park in Bintulu. — DayakDaily