A sustainable future through carbon management, renewable energy and mangrove conservation
- BT
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
KUCHING, 7 October 2025: The Road to Belem: Accelerating Climate Action in Sarawak – An Open Day for the Sarawak Net Zero Strategy and Carbon Plan event, organised by the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak (MEESty) in collaboration with PwC Malaysia, is taking place at the Sheraton Hotel Kuching on October 7 and 8, 2025, bringing together key stakeholders to shape Sarawak’s sustainable future.
This pivotal event is not only designed to foster collaboration, facilitate meaningful dialogue between public and private sector leaders and provide insights into sustainable investment opportunities, but also serve as a platform for the signing of climate action commitments. It also provides a unique opportunity to gather insights and feedback that will directly inform and enrich Sarawak’s climate action journey.
The event launching was held earlier today, and was graced by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg. In his launching speech, the Premier emphasized the need to take serious action to solve the global issue of climate change, and how Sarawak, with its resources, can help mitigate the issue in the region as part of a global effort towards net zero pollution.
In his speech, he also mentions the state’s focus on conserving mangrove forests as a natural buffer against climate change, due to their ability to store 3X more carbon than normal forests. As such, the preservation and restoration of mangrove forests is necessary to ensure that the carbon stored in the roots and soil is not released back into the atmosphere. This move is expected to generate new economic values for communities living along Sarawak’s coast, opening up opportunities for their involvement in the green economy.
“Currently, 70% of Sarawak’s current energy comes from renewable resources namely hydro and gas, and the state government’s strategic priorities are as follows; making energy our catalyst, decarbonizing energy production, scaling up renewable energy storage and exploring biomass and biochar,” shared Abang Johari in his speech, who also shared that Sarawak is capable of generating up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity through floating solar projects at the Batang Ai, Bakun, Murum and Baleh plants.
“We are looking to further diversify our renewable energy mix. With plenty of sun throughout the year, we will be able to rely on floating, landed and elevated solar panels, but if the weather proves to be unfavourable, we can still rely on our gas turbines,” added the Premier. “To address carbon emissions, Sarawak has also developed a legal framework for carbon trading, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and we are now adjusting it to be in line with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement so that our carbon trading activities can be registered the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).”
According to Abang Johari, Sarawak is also collaborating with the World Bank to develop a model for voluntary carbon trading, as well as refine the formula and pricing mechanisms for carbon transactions. CCUS technology involves storing carbon offshore in depleted oil reservoirs, and once approved and registered, Sarawak will be part of the carbon trading regime, where countries that emit greenhouse gases will have to pay for their pollution and transact in terms of volume, with a place that can absorb carbon and produce oxygen. These steps outlined by the Premier are part of Sarawak’s approach towards global efforts against climate change, ensuring that the upcoming generations will inherit a future that is not only clean, but also safe and sustainable.
“This open day also serves to inform, inspire and involve the public in Sarawak’s sustainability journey by increasing awareness and transparency. We hope to empower more Sarawakians, especially the younger generation to take part in shaping a greener future. Young people need to be the main drivers of green change through innovation, research and sustainable lifestyles that support the state's aspirations towards net zero carbon,” added Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak, Datuk Dr. Haji Hazland bin Abang Haji in his welcoming remarks.
Also present at today’s launching, the Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia and Brunei, Her Excellency Daniella Ortega de Menezes, Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Prof. Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, Minister for Transport Sarawak, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister for Transport, Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Datuk Sebastian Ting and other distinguished guests.
