NREB Sarawak trains officers to strengthen carbon emission reporting

KUCHING (March 18): The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak has enhanced its officers’ technical skills to assess the completeness and accuracy of carbon emission reports through a two-day workshop.

A total of 34 officers from NREB headquarters and divisional offices across Sarawak participated in the Oil and Gas Process Engineering for Non-Process Auditors programme.

The workshop, held from March 16 to 17 at a hotel here, supports the implementation of the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023, which requires businesses in scheduled sectors, including energy and oil and gas, to submit verified carbon emission reports.

These reports must follow the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) Standard, covering direct emissions from owned or controlled sources (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, heat or steam (Scope 2), quantified in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e).

The programme provided practical exposure to offshore oil and gas processing operations.

Participants were trained to interpret Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), identify major greenhouse gas (GHG) emission sources, and understand key emission drivers in upstream facilities.

Training also highlighted common emission sources such as fugitive emissions and losses from vents, drains, purges, and blowdowns.

Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak Datu Jack Liam highlighted the officers’ critical role in ensuring accurate greenhouse gas quantification and reporting.

“Emission sources are not always clearly visible in operator reports, equipment lists, or standard documentation.

“Identifying these sources requires both knowledge and practical skills, as well as a deeper understanding of how a facility operates,” he said in his opening remarks, according to a statement.

He expressed hope that participants would gain confidence in identifying potential emission sources, verifying reported information, and enhancing the quality of environmental inspections and regulatory decisions.