By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Nov 28: Gazetted Native Customary Rights (NCR) landowners in the Tamin constituency stand to benefit from the implementation of the carbon credit and forest replanting initiatives through opportunities to obtain a Forest Carbon Study Permit.
Responding to a query from Tamin assemblyman Ir Christopher Gira, Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said a Forest Carbon License will be issued to applicants who meet the requirements stipulated under the relevant ordinance and regulations.
He said communities will also benefit from various training and capacity-building programmes provided by project developers to support the management of carbon projects and forest restoration.
“Project developers will provide training in forest replanting techniques, seedling nursery management, project area monitoring and patrolling, sustainable forest resource management, as well as biomass inventory training.
“These programmes help communities enhance their skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience in managing carbon projects, thereby strengthening their participation in environmental conservation efforts,” he said when debating the Supply Bill 2026 at the Legislative Assembly (DUS) today.
According to Len Talif, international cooperation under Article 6 focusing on reducing carbon emissions through Nature-based Solutions (NbS) was among the key issues discussed at the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai.
“In Sarawak, these efforts have been implemented through the enactment of the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance, 2023, to reinforce the execution of these initiatives, alongside the Forests (Forest Carbon Activity) Rules, 2022.
“These regulations require all carbon projects to comply with recognised international carbon standards such as Verra and Gold Standard to ensure their integrity, transparency, and effectiveness,” he added.
Len Talif further noted that several initiatives have since been implemented, including the issuance of nine Forest Carbon Study Permits covering 231,983 hectares of forest, while seven new permit applications are currently under review.
In addition, one Forest Carbon License covering 25,675 hectares has been issued. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Mubadala Energy, Abu Dhabi, on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and potential blue carbon was also signed on November 6, 2024.
Len Talif added that gazetted NCR landowners, such as those in Tamin, may apply for a Forest Carbon Study Permit, and will be eligible for a Forest Carbon License if they meet all requirements under the ordinance and regulations. — DayakDaily
