KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is eyeing its next phase in conservation to become a green economy leader, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
"We are moving from protecting resources to building responsible industries around those resources. We are moving from being only a green contributor to becoming a green economy leader," he said.
He said this meant developing credible carbon markets that benefit the state and attracting quality green investments that create real economic value.
It also means growing industries around renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, the blue economy, eco-tourism and biodiversity-based innovation.
"It means ensuring that local companies, local workers and local communities are part of the value chain," he said at a summit on sustainability here on Monday (May 25).
However, he said sustainability cannot sound good only in conference halls, but it must also work on the ground and make sense to the people.
"A green transition that is too expensive for ordinary families is not sustainable. A policy that protects the future but burdens the present must be carefully reviewed," he added.
He noted that a development model looking good internationally but weakening local competitiveness cannot be the right model for Sabah.
"For Sabah, sustainability must be practical. It must be fair. It must be affordable and above all, it must serve the people," he said.
Hajiji said the state was adopting a balanced growth approach in dealing with environmental and development issues.
"Sabah does not want development that destroys our environment. But Sabah also cannot accept an approach where environmental idealism delays the progress of our people. We must reject both extremes," he said.
"We do not want reckless development, but we also do not want an unrealistic transition. The way forward for Sabah is a model of balanced growth," he added.
He explained that this involves growth with discipline, conservation with value, investment with responsibility, energy transition with affordability and sustainability with justice.
He said Sabah may be a small state within a small nation, but it possesses strengths and assets that are becoming increasingly valuable in today’s world.
"The opportunities before Sabah are immense. Sabah has done exceptionally well in protecting our vast forest reserves, preserving globally important biodiversity," he said.
He added that before sustainability became an international agenda, Sabah was already protecting its forests, oceans, wildlife and ecosystems.
"Today, Sabah is recognised as an important leader in conservation, not only within Malaysia, but also across Southeast Asia. Because of that, Sabah is well positioned to become a destination for responsible and sustainable investment," he said.
