KOTA KINABALU: Sabah hopes to increase the use of renewable energy, promote reforestation and adopt climate-smart agricultural practices as part of its efforts to combat climate change, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic).
“By investing in renewable energy, promoting reforestation and adopting climate-smart agriculture, we can mitigate the worst effects of global warming and secure long-term food availability,” he said.
Hajiji said such measures are necessary to preserve ecosystems critical for carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
In Sabah, rising temperatures, unpredictable monsoon seasons and intensified storms are devastating crops, destroying livelihoods and displacing families.
“Coastal areas are increasingly vulnerable to saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources that further jeopardises both agriculture and drinking water supplies.
“While these trends are alarming, they are not irreversible.
“Combating climate change is not only an environmental necessity but also a moral obligation to future generations,” he said at the Kinabalu Convention 2025: Food Security, Climate Change and Investment here.
The text of his speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Hajiji said the Sabah government will collaborate with all stakeholders to combat climate change and its challenges.
The state government, he said, was already taking steps in agroforestry programmes, organic farming incentives and community-based conservation projects aimed at building resilience among the local population.
“However, these efforts require sustained support not only from within Malaysia but also from international partners committed to fostering sustainable development,” he said.
Addressing food insecurity and climate change, he said, requires more than goodwill since it demands substantial financial resources and strategic partnerships.
