NREB must be ready to deal with impacts to environment as S’wak develops, says Premier

KUCHING (July 27): More cumulative and complex impacts affecting the environment are to be expected as the state develops, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“We have to deal with numerous and ever-increasing challenges in the management and protection of our environment and climate change issues,” he said when officiating the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) 30th Anniversary celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Friday night.

Abang Johari, who is also NREB chairman and Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, said the agency must be prepared to effectively regulate all developments and innovate approaches to environmental management so the adverse impact to the environment can be minimised.

“Robust policies and regulations are vital and remain the backbone of our environmental management efforts. Our legal framework has to be strengthened to adapt to emerging environmental issues, and we should harness innovation and technology to address environmental challenges.

“NREB also must have the necessary resources and capacity to enhance its enforcement capabilities and environmental monitoring, as well as equip its officers with the necessary skills in research and development to drive sustainable environment solutions,” he said.

He added engagement with all stakeholders, including local communities, international organisations, academi institutions, businesses and the private sector, in fostering a collaborative approach to environmental management and protection was also crucial.

He added NREB needed to explore ways to increase its revenue, as it is essential to acknowledge the substantial costs associated with environmental management and protection, and said the state government would support it in this endeavour.

Abang Johari said the Sarawak government is serious and committed in playing a role in combating climate change and promoting environmental sustainability — a clear indication of which was the passing of the Land (Carbon Storage) Rules 2022 and the Forest (Forest Carbon Activity) Rules 2022, both of which were approved by the State Cabinet on Dec 8, 2022.

“Our initiatives to combat climate change have not stopped there. To safeguard Sarawak’s environment by implementing strategies to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases goal and to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we have enacted the Environment (Reduction Of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023 which was passed in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) on Nov 20, 2023,” he said, adding Sarawak was the first state in the nation to enact such legislation.

He highlighted that Sarawak was also the first state in Malaysia to enact legislation permitting nature-based solutions in the form of forest carbon activities and carbon projects, as well as legislation permitting utilisation of abandoned and decommissioned oil wells as storage sites for the purpose of generating carbon credits for carbon trading in accordance with the relevant Carbon Standards.

“The enactment of these laws shows the Sarawak government is leading the way by introducing legislation concerning climate change even before Parliament or any other state legislature in Malaysia.

“These are legislative actions taken by us to save and protect Mother Nature and at the same time create an additional source of revenue for Sarawak,” he said.