By Ashley Sim and Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 15: Sarawak aims to reduce carbon emissions by at least 45 per cent, increase green job opportunities, empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the green economy, equip Sarawak with sustainable infrastructure and enhance the resilience of local communities and ecosystems by 2030.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that these are the outcomes Sarawak wants to achieve in the next seven years under the Sarawak Climate Change Policy and Risk Management Strategies as well as low carbon blueprints for cities and towns that are currently being formulated by the Sarawak government.
“To achieve a net-zero emissions future, innovation is crucial and Sarawak will encourage the development of new technology and solutions that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices.
“This includes the adoption of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technology, which can help reduce emissions from key industries such as oil and gas,” he said in his speech text which was read out by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at the Asia Carbon Conference (ACC) dinner at a hotel here tonight.
With that, Abang Johari said, Sarawak will work with stakeholders including the private sector, civil society, and international partners, to achieve its sustainability goals.
“By leveraging expertise and resources which can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future, Sarawak will create new economic opportunities and promote social development while at the same time protecting the environment,” he added.
Abang Johari disclosed the development of green industries such as sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism and green manufacturing which can create new jobs and boost the economy while promoting sustainable practices is also now being prepared and finalised in the Green Economy Policy of Sarawak.
The Sarawak government, he continued, recognised that economic growth and environmental sustainability go hand-in-hand and are committed to ensuring that its development is sustainable and environmentally responsible.
As such, the Premier emphasised that the nature-positive initiatives of Sarawak are important not only for the environment but also for the long-term prosperity of its people.
“By incorporating nature-positive initiatives into carbon trading programmes, governments and businesses can promote environmental sustainability while also achieving their carbon reduction goals.
“For example, companies can earn carbon credits by investing in reforestation projects or sustainable agriculture which can then be sold on the carbon market. This creates a financial incentive for companies to invest in nature positive initiatives, while also contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions,” he explained.
The revenue generated from the sale of carbon credits, he added, can also be used to fund additional nature positive initiatives or to support local communities in the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems.
Abang Johari emphasised that such green efforts are crucial to steer Sarawak towards a more sustainable future for all and strengthen its resilience towards climate change and natural environment disasters.
“This Asia Carbon Conference and the amendments to the Forest Ordinance and Land Code in Sarawak are significant steps forward in the journey towards a more sustainable future. We must continue to take bold and decisive action towards mitigating the climate crisis, and the State Climate Change Policy will provide the framework to guide us all,” he added.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni and Argus Media’s head of Asia Karl Kleemeier were among those present. — DayakDaily
