Sarawak committed to empowering green economy to combat climate change

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is committed to empowering the green economy as a solution to climate change, says Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESTY), Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.

He said that the government has made various preparations to address climate change issues.

“We must thank Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for his foresight in venturing into the new industry of the green economy.

“My ministry was established in 2022 to focus on policy development for the energy sector and environmental sustainability for Sarawak.

“We have developed several frameworks to address environmental changes, the main one being the Environmental Ordinance (Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction) 2023, which was passed at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session last year.”

Dr Hazland said this during an interview on the Juh Randau Programme produced by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) at the UKAS Studio today (July 5).

According to him, the enactment of the ordinance introduced new regulations to address environmental pollution.

“Sarawak is very fortunate to have vast land and 62 per cent forest cover that absorbs carbon dioxide, making carbon capture a new economy.”

Dr Hazland said that the Sarawak government also intends to implement a carbon storage project in algae to consistently balance carbon absorption in the future.