Kota Kinabalu: A Sabah Climate Action Council (SCAC) has been set up to set the direction and coordinate climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in the State, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said Sabah has amended the Sabah Land Ordinance Chapter 68, incorporating legal provisions related to carbon storage, which came into effect on June 19, 2023.
“In addition, Sabah has just completed the Sabah Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory study and vulnerability assessment to develop the Sabah Climate Change Policy towards low-carbon development in Sabah,” he said.
He said this during the Federal Economy Ministry-Sabah Government Engagement on the Implementation of Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) Initiatives in Malaysia at Menara Kinabalu, Friday.
Hajiji was represented by Deputy Minister I cum Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Also present were State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, Economy Ministry Sec-Gen Datuk Nor Azmie Diron, State Attorney-General Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh and Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Seri Rosli Isa.
Hajiji said the CCUS initiative aligns with the State Government’s commitment to addressing climate change issues and realising the national green technology agenda, as well as Sabah’s contribution to the country’s commitment to fulfilling its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Hajiji said the State Government acknowledges that the Draft CCUS Bill is currently being drafted at the Federal level and believes that all stakeholders, including Federal ministries, industry players and the State Government, should be involved in preparing a comprehensive Bill.
He said there are nine key messages to be highlighted in the communication plan regarding the CCUS initiative in Malaysia, covering aspects of economic benefits, environmental protection, preparedness and technical aspects.
Hajiji said the CCUS initiative is safe and necessary to help Malaysia achieve its Net Zero Aspiration by 2050.
CCUS reduces the impact of climate change and manages CCUS risks through the drafting of comprehensive laws and regulations as well as effective oversight of activities.
“CCUS helps local hard-to-abate sectors address carbon dioxide emissions and reduces decarbonisation costs for these sectors.
“Malaysia has the potential to become a Regional CCUS Hub, which will drive the growth of CCUS and increase Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he said.
Hajiji hopes through cooperation with the Economy Ministry, Sabah’s input would be considered to ensure the State is not left behind in the CCUS initiative.
He said the State Government, through its ministries, departments and related agencies, would fully cooperate in providing the necessary input for the implementation of the CCUS initiative.
