KUCHING: The Sarawak government is conducting a climate change policy study with a view to developing strategies for a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said it would also help the state draw up low-carbon society blueprints for its cities and towns.
"It will also include adaptation strategies to address climate change phenomena such as floods, droughts and threats to biodiversity," he told the state assembly in his winding-up speech on Thursday (May 26).
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Awang Tengah said the state government's targets in the study, which is conducted under the 12th Malaysia Plan, included reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 45% and creating green jobs and small-medium enterprises in the green economy sector.
The study also aims to increase climate-resilient infrastructure up to 80% and maintain the daily air pollutant index reading at healthy levels below 50.
"We plan to achieve these targets by 2030," he added.
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In addition, he said low-carbon society blueprints would be developed for Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
He said the blueprints would encourage low-carbon lifestyles and a green economy in line with the state's post-Covid-19 development strategy.
Awang Tengah also said Sarawak would develop a state environmental policy to ensure sustainability.
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He said the policy's principles, strategies and action plans would serve as guidelines for government agencies, industries, non-governmental organisations and the public on holistic environmental management and sustainable development.
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