KOTA KINABALU: In its quest towards developing a low-carbon state, Sabah has set up an action council to draw up and coordinate climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts at the state level.
Announcing the formation of the Sabah Climate Action Council in a statement yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) noted that the state has amended the Sabah Land Ordinance by adding laws on carbon storage, which started enforcement on June 19, 2023.
The state, he added, has also recently completed a greenhouse gas inventory study as well as a vulnerability assessment.
“This is for the development of Sabah climate change policies as the state works towards the development of a low-carbon state.”
The statement comes following an engagement session with the Economy Ministry.
Hajiji also said the carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) initiative is in line with the state government’s objective of tackling climate change, realising the national green technology agenda and contributing to the “nationally determined contributions”.
“We take note that the CCUS legal Bill is being drafted at the federal level and believe that all stakeholders including federal ministries, industry players and state governments are involved in ensuring that a comprehensive Bill is laid out,” he said.
He said there are nine main messages that will be highlighted in the CCUS initiative communication plan comprising economic benefits, environmental protection, preparedness and technicality.
Malaysia, said Hajiji, has the potential to become the regional CCUS hub as it pushes the development of CCUS to increase its national gross domestic product.
“I hope through partnership with the federal Economy Ministry, we would be able to ensure that Sabah does not get left behind in any development initiatives including CCUS,” he said.
The engagement session with the ministry was represented by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Minister.
