SARIKEI: Sarawak’s extensive mangrove areas are being eyed as a potential source of revenue through carbon storage and carbon trading amid growing efforts to address climate change.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarikei was unique for its extensive mangrove areas, which could provide opportunities in the emerging carbon economy.
“What is quite unique about the Sarikei Division is that it has many mangrove areas. These mangrove areas are very important for carbon storage,” he said during a press conference after officiating the ‘Sarawakku Sayang’ (SKS) programme here today (Aug 8).
He said the mangrove areas could become an important asset in the global economy, allowing Sarawak to play a role in carbon trading.
“This means that in today’s global economy, due to climate change, we have an important asset, namely the Mangrove National Park, which can be a way to store carbon, and we can continue to play our role in carbon trading,” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s mangrove areas were significant compared with other parts of Malaysia.
“This is unique in Malaysia because not many areas have mangroves. Perak, in Peninsular Malaysia, has some mangrove areas, while Sabah and Sarawak have much larger areas. I think Sarawak has the largest,” he said.
He said the State Government would protect the mangrove areas while identifying other areas for agricultural development.
“We will protect these areas. For agriculture, we have other areas, and we will not take places that have potential in this new economy,” he said.
In his opening speech at the SKS programme, Abang Johari said the potential of the mangrove areas should be studied as carbon trading could generate income for Sarawak.
He said the State Government had asked for a study to be carried out on the potential, adding that any revenue generated could be channelled towards development in the Sarikei Division.
“This will become an income for our state and, of course, this income can be distributed to the development we have planned for the Sarikei Division,” he said.
Abang Johari said the emerging carbon economy would require young Sarawakians with the technical knowledge to measure and assess carbon storage.
“This requires our children to be knowledgeable and able to assess how we measure carbon. It is not something that can simply be weighed,” he said.
He said the shift towards a carbon based economy was linked to global efforts to address climate change.
