KUCHING, March 15 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today announced the establishment of a Sarawak Climate Change Centre that will serve to coordinate, manage, support and guide all matters concerning climate change and carbon trading initiatives in the state.
He said the centre can also support the development of policies and regulations that promote sustainable practices, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable forestry management, among others.
“With the establishment of the centre, Sarawak can position itself as a leader in climate change and carbon trading initiatives in the region, attracting investment and talent to drive sustainable economic growth,” he said at the opening of Asia Carbon Conference 2023 here.
He said the state is currently developing a State Climate Change Policy that provides a comprehensive framework for addressing carbon emissions and mitigating the impact.
He said this policy will guide all communities in Sarawak towards a more sustainable and resilient future, acknowledging that urban living and economic activities are the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
“Therefore, we are developing the low carbon blueprints for cities and towns in Sarawak.
“These blueprints will help us address local environmental challenges such as waste management, floods, and air pollution while promoting a low-carbon lifestyle,” he said.
He said Sarawak has been aggressively setting targets for the development of renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and hydro.
“This would reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions,” the premier said, adding the implementation of renewable energy targets would also promote investment in these technologies, creating opportunities for businesses and creating jobs for the local communities.
He said Sarawak is investing in technologies to capture and store carbon emissions from industries such as oil and gas. He said the technologies would enable the state to reduce its carbon emissions and generate revenue from the sale of carbon credits.
Abang Johari said the carbon plan for Sarawak is a significant undertaking that requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach to be successful.
However, he said, the state needs the leadership, expertise, and resources to achieve this ambitious goal that will catapult Sarawak to be a leader in climate change and sustainable economic growth.
The state premier said Sarawak is also actively pursuing the development and participation in carbon offset programmes, such as the Verified Carbon Standard or Gold Standard.
He added these programmes, with several initiatives at an advanced stage of implementation, will enable companies or countries to offset their carbon emissions by investing in carbon reduction projects, creating a new revenue stream for our state.
He stressed Sarawak is committed to addressing the urgent issue of climate change and will continue to explore and implement innovative strategies to mitigate its impact on the environment, economy, and society.
