SARAWAK will set up a climate change centre to position itself as a leader in climate change and carbon trading initiatives in the region, Premier Abang Johari Openg said today.

“The centre can also support the development of policies and regulations that promote sustainable practices, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable forestry management,” he said when opening the Asia Carbon Conference in Kuching.

He said Sarawak is committed to addressing the urgent issue of climate change and will continue to explore and implement innovative strategies to mitigate its impact on the environment, economy and society.

Climate change is not a future problem, he said, adding: “It is a present and urgent crisis that requires immediate and decisive action.”

In contributing its share to mitigating climate change, Abang Johari said, Sarawak has the potential to create carbon sinks from its six million hectares of permanent forests, promote carbon sequestration and undertake tree planting schemes for carbon credits.

That new drive will provide the state a new source of revenues of between RM315 million and RM1 billion annually, he said.

Earlier, Abang Johari said the state has about 7.7 million hectares, or 62% of its total land area, under forest cover.

“This represents a significant opportunity for our state to be at the forefront of sustainable forestry management policies, with seven million hectares allocated for sustainable forestry and conservation under the Sarawak Land Use Policy,” he said.

“Of these, six million hectares are permanent forests, and a million hectares are totally protected areas, demonstrating our firm commitment to the conservation and regeneration of our forests.” – March 15, 2023.