OGOS 2024
Innovative MOUS Strengthen Sarawak’s Push For Sustainable Energy And Environmental Conservation
KUCHING, 19 Aug — Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Openg has lauded the efforts of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and its partners—ESG, PETRONAS, and SEDC—for their commitment to advancing Sarawak’s environmental and energy goals.
Speaking at MoU Between Sarawak Forestry Corporation and PETRONAS at Hilton Hotel, the Premier highlighted the significance of three new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between these entities, emphasizing their interconnected focus on nature-based solutions, renewable energy, and biodiversity conservation.
“The three MoUs are all related and rely on each other,” said the Premier. “Nature-based means utilizing natural capital to address issues like climate change and carbon emissions. Renewable energy is about finding alternatives to fossil fuels, which are a major cause of climate change. And biodiversity conservation is essential for maintaining the balance in our ecosystems.”
The Premier elaborated on the importance of using natural resources, particularly forests, to mitigate climate change. “You use the trees to absorb carbon, making it a nature-based solution without the need for additional energy,” he explained.
He also addressed the critical need for renewable energy sources, underscoring Sarawak’s pioneering efforts in hydrogen production. Reflecting on his administration’s early promotion of hydrogen as a clean energy source, the Premier noted the challenges faced due to the high costs of production.
“When we started, using Linde technology, it cost about 60 kWh to produce one kilogram of hydrogen. But with continuous research and collaboration with partners like PETRONAS, the cost has now decreased to 28 kWh,” he shared.
The Premier expressed optimism that ongoing research and development, particularly in collaboration with global partners such as Samsung, would further reduce the cost of hydrogen production in the coming decade.
“We are fortunate to have abundant water resources, which can be used to produce hydrogen. In 10 to 15 years, we expect the cost to be much lower, making it a viable alternative energy solution,” he stated.
In addition to energy solutions, the Premier emphasized Sarawak’s commitment to forest conservation, noting that 62% of the state’s land remains forested. He discussed plans to restore degraded forests, which will serve as carbon sinks, and highlighted the role of mangrove forests and peat soils in carbon storage.
The Premier also touched on infrastructure challenges, particularly the construction of roads on peat soils, and the need to develop solutions that minimize environmental impact.
“Elevated roads can prevent soil disturbance, allowing us to store carbon while still developing necessary infrastructure,” he suggested.
On the topic of carbon trading, the Premier acknowledged the lack of a definitive formula for pricing carbon but assured that Sarawak is working with the World Bank and other partners to establish a fair system based on international protocols.
“We are serious about these efforts. Sarawak is leading in this area, even ahead of the federal government in terms of legislative frameworks,” the Premier remarked, adding that Sarawak’s commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in its current laws and ongoing initiatives,” he said.
In closing, the Premier congratulated the SFC and its partners for their forward-thinking initiatives, which align with Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“Our focus on economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability will differentiate Sarawak from the rest,” he concluded.
Also present were, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Sarawak Economic
Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain, Sarawak Attorney-General (SAG) Datu Saferi Ali, ESG Malaysia director Datin Esther Mujan Balan and Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer
PETRONAS Ms Charlotte Wolff-Bye.