SEB’s pioneering science-based emissions reduction target receives global validation

KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), Malaysia’s leading renewable energy developer, has garnered international recognition as the global Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) officially validates its ambitious near-term emissions reduction target.

The SBTi approval, granted on Nov 8, 2023, solidifies Sarawak Energy’s position as the first major corporation in Malaysia to achieve such a milestone, joining the ranks of 2,079 organisations worldwide with approved targets in 2023.

“This endorsement underscores SEB’ unwavering commitment to sustainability and climate action. The approved target aims for an 80.3 per cent reduction in carbon intensity, equivalent to a 0.17 tCO2eq/MWh reduction of grid emission intensity in both Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2030.

“This encompasses direct emissions from net energy generation and company-owned vehicles (Scope 1) as well as indirect emissions from buildings and offices (Scope 2).

“In addition, Sarawak Energy pledges a 42 per cent reduction in absolute Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions from the use of sold products (Category 11) by 2030, based on a 2021 baseline,” it said in a press release on Tuesday (Jan 2).

This marks a significant stride towards aligning with the Paris Agreement’s goals and reinforces the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions throughout its business value chain.

Senior vice-president for Corporate Services at Sarawak Energy, Siti Aisah Adenan commented on the validation, stating, “Sarawak Energy is committed to supporting the state’s demand for a reliable and secure power supply while continuously working towards decarbonising the power system.

“We continue to advance hydropower, which predominantly contributes to the available generation capacity in Sarawak – powering residential, commercial, and industrial activities and supporting Sarawak’s economic growth strategy.

“As part of Sarawak’s transition to a low-carbon economy, this commitment aligns with our support for the Paris Agreement. Sarawak Energy utilises the SBTi to quantify its emissions, better understand the Group’s emissions performance, and develop an emissions reduction intervention action plan.”

The company’s roadmap and action plan for Scope 1, 2, and 3 not only showcase its commitment to reducing carbon emissions but also align with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Sarawak Energy’s strategic efforts are integral to supporting the state’s demand for a reliable and secure power supply while contributing to Sarawak’s economic growth strategy.

This validation follows Sarawak Energy’s status as the first large corporate body in Malaysia to sign the “Business Ambition for 1.5°Celsius” pledge in 2020, further solidifying its commitment to addressing climate change.

Established in 2015, the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) plays a crucial role in guiding businesses worldwide to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science.

Collaborating with entities such as Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), SBTi actively promotes best practices in science-based target setting. It aims to accelerate global efforts to cut emissions by half before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.