KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah Climate Action Council (SCAC) has been established to develop and coordinate climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts at the state level.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) announced that the state has amended the Sabah Land Ordinance to include laws on carbon storage, which came into effect on June 19, 2023. The state has also recently completed a greenhouse gas inventory study and a vulnerability assessment to inform the development of its climate change policies as part of its goal to become a low-carbon state.

This announcement followed an engagement session with the Economic Affairs Ministry, represented by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also the Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industries Minister.

The session aimed to discuss the implementation of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) in Malaysia. Attendees included Sabah’s Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Arif, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, State Attorney General Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh and Federal Secretary Datuk Seri Rosli Isa.

Hajiji stated that the CCUS initiative aligns with the state government’s objectives for tackling climate change, supporting the national green technology agenda and fulfilling the state’s commitments to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

“We acknowledge that the CCUS legal bill is being drafted at the federal level and we believe all stakeholders, including federal ministries, industry players and state governments, should be involved in ensuring that a comprehensive bill is established,” he said.

He highlighted nine key messages that will be included in the CCUS initiative communication plan, focusing on economic benefits, environmental protection, preparedness and technical aspects.

“The CCUS initiative is safe and essential for helping Malaysia achieve its aspiration of net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Hajiji added. He emphasised that CCUS would mitigate climate change impacts through comprehensive legislation and efficient regulation of activities.

“CCUS is crucial for Hard-To-Abate local sectors, tackling carbon emissions and reducing the costs of decarbonisation,” he stated.

Hajiji expressed confidence that Malaysia could become a regional hub for CCUS and that the initiative would contribute positively to the national gross domestic product.

“I hope that through our partnership with the Federal Economic Affairs Ministry, we can ensure that Sabah is not left behind in any development initiatives, including CCUS,” he concluded.

He assured that various state agencies, departments and ministries would provide full support to realise the potential of this CCUS initiative.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/27/sabah-establishes-climate-action-council-to-address-climate-change