KUCHING – The Sarawak Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) is set to host a pivotal event, “The Road to Belem: Accelerating Climate Action in Sarawak,” on October 7-8 at the Sheraton Kuching Hotel.
This gathering is a key step in the state’s comprehensive efforts to formulate its climate strategy.
Sarawak’s government is firmly on track to achieve its ambition of net-zero emissions by 2050.
This goal is supported by a robust legal framework, including the Environment (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction) Ordinance 2023, which mandates emissions reporting for specific economic sectors. The state is also in the final stages of preparing a dedicated Sarawak Carbon Roadmap.
The state’s climate efforts are central to its broader sustainable development agenda. The Sarawak Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) and the Sustainability Blueprint 2030 align with global commitments like the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The government has highlighted that its initiatives have already contributed to a significant 73% reduction in carbon emissions between 2010 and 2021.
Recent developments underscore this progress. At the recent Sustainability & Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF 4.0), Sarawak Energy obtained a Carbon Study Permit to advance Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects within hydropower catchments.
These projects are estimated to generate over 250,000 carbon credit units to offset emissions from hard-to-abate sectors.
Concurrently, a strategic five-year partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was formalised to bring global expertise in biodiversity management to the state.
This collaboration will leverage IUCN tools and frameworks to strengthen Sarawak’s environmental performance.