Collaborating to advance climate action

DUBAI: Bursa Carbon Exchange (BCX), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bursa Malaysia Berhad (Bursa Malaysia), has signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy), Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA) and the I-REC Standard Foundation (I-REC Standard). 

The MoC was signed during the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday (Dec 4). 

The MoC brings together a collaboration between Malaysian and international organisations in paving the way for the offering of renewable energy certificates (RECs) on Bursa Carbon Exchange, Malaysia’s voluntary carbon market exchange.

Sarawak Energy, in a statement, said the scope of the MoC will cover four areas namely to explore potential supply of RECs from Sarawak Energy; to facilitate cross-border RECs trading and international attribute tracking standards  for RECs, using the I-REC platform; to raise awareness through joint knowledge building sessions on sustainability certification, such as the Hydropower Sustainability Standard and understanding credible renewable energy claims; and to help promote the use of sustainability certifications in conjunction with RECs, such as by layering the Hydropower Sustainability Standard onto the I-REC’s International Attribute Tracking Standard, to help end-users identify and purchase premium hydropower RECs from BCX. 

Bursa Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift said BCX aspires to be a global, multi-asset environmental products exchange, to meet the diverse needs of its customers.

“By adding RECs to our existing portfolio of high-quality carbon credits, we aim to provide more options and flexibility for our customers to access and trade environmental products. 

“Today, our partners and BCX have formalised this collaboration to promote the trading of hydropower RECs on BCX, targeted to be launched next year,” he said. 

He added Bursa Malaysia is also honoured to have Sarawak Energy sign the MoC, given that they are a very significant renewable energy supplier in Malaysia. 

“We applaud Sarawak Energy’s commitment to obtain Hydropower Sustainability Standard certification for all its hydropower plants. Meanwhile, BCX is planning to offer RECs from projects complying with the I-REC Standard. 

 “This MoC demonstrates our commitment to collaborate with international and domestic partners to advance climate action and support the transition to Net Zero,” he said. 

Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili mentioned that given the increasing awareness and commitment to sustainability among corporates in Southeast Asia, REC plays a key role in ensuring a credible mechanism for tracking renewable energy (RE) consumption and supporting the global transition towards a low-carbon economy.

“Since our REC launch in 2019 during our inaugural Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF) in Kuching, Sarawak Energy has supported various players from different industries in their sustainability journey through the REC mechanism,” he said. 

He added the MoC signing empowers all stakeholders by promoting awareness of renewable energy and sustainability, while reinforcing Sarawak’s hydropower as an essential source of renewable and sustainable energy in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, HSA executive director Joao Costa, executive director of the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance, expressed optimism about the groundbreaking collaboration. 

“This partnership underscores the vital role of collaborations between industry, civil society, and financiers in championing sustainable practices and advancing renewable energy. 

“By exploring the potential integration of sustainability certifications onto Sarawak Energy’s RECs that will be part of the product offering on BCX, we aim to contribute to a global movement for a more resilient future. 

“We are not only excited to be part of this impactful venture at COP28 but also see it as a model to be replicated globally, showcasing the potential of cooperative efforts to address socio-environmental challenges and create a more sustainable world,” he said. 

Global Partnerships and APAC at the I-REC Standard Foundation director Roble P Velasco-Rosenheim further said the collaboration is a perfect example of how countries, companies, and the non-profit community can come together to support the procurement of high-quality clean electricity products, in line with both national and international ambition. 

“We are confident that BCX will provide significant value to the wider Malaysian market by facilitating transactions. 

 “At the same time, HSA will improve the selection process of end-users by making it easier to credibly select RECs from sustainable hydro generation assets,” he said. 

He added Sarawak Energy’s engagement in the market will facilitate access to end-users across the country.