By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 25: Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, received a courtesy visit from representatives of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to discuss collaborative opportunities in reducing methane emissions and advancing maritime decarbonisation.
According to a media release on Tuesday (June 24), the meeting was led by EDF’s senior director for Global Energy Transition, Dr Shareen Yawanarajah, alongside Professor Ir Dr Basil Wong representing Swinburne Sarawak.
EDF, a globally recognised non-profit environmental organisation, presented a series of proposed initiatives focused on curbing methane emissions within Sarawak’s oil and gas sector and developing decarbonisation strategies for maritime operations.
Dr Hazland welcomed the proposals, stating that the initiatives align well with Sarawak’s sustainability priorities under the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
He emphasised the need for practical, data-driven solutions and highlighted the importance of strong coordination across relevant agencies to ensure effective implementation.
“The proposals presented today resonate with our Sarawak’s commitment to both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy pathways.
“We look forward to further engagement that can translate these ideas into impactful, on-the-ground actions,” he said.
According to MEESty, the next step will involve the formal submission of a detailed proposal, after which the Ministry will coordinate with relevant state agencies to facilitate further technical discussions and explore implementation pathways.
This potential collaboration reflects the Sarawak government’s broader strategy to work with international experts and institutions to accelerate its climate goals. It also underscores the State’s commitment to adopting innovative approaches to energy transition and environmental sustainability.
The partnership aims to combine EDF’s global environmental expertise with Swinburne’s research capabilities to support Sarawak in achieving measurable methane reductions and promoting sustainable maritime practices.
Both organisations expressed their enthusiasm for continuing the dialogue and working together on actionable roadmaps that can positively shape Sarawak’s energy and environmental future. — DayakDaily
