KUCHING: A delegation from Sarawak recently conducted a benchmarking visit to the National Environment Agency (NEA) Singapore.
The 22-member delegation comprised representatives from the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak, the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (MEESty), and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS).
The delegation was led by Elizabeth Nyomek from MEESty, and Datuk Jack Liam, the Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak.
NREB in a statement said the visit focused on strengthening Sarawak’s capacity in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions monitoring, data management, and regulatory enforcement, as well as exploring waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies.
“This effort supports the implementation of the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance, 2023 and aligns with Sarawak’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” it said.
It added the main objectives of the visit were to understand NEA’s Emission Data Monitoring and Analysis (EDMA) system for managing and monitoring GHG emissions, gain insights into enforcement and compliance mechanisms related to GHG emissions, explore WTE technologies and operations at the TuasOne Waste-To-Energy (WTE) Plant, and foster collaboration between NEA and NREB in strengthening regulatory frameworks in Sarawak.
During the two-day programme, delegates engaged in knowledge-sharing sessions with NEA covering the EDMA system, regulatory frameworks, and third-party verification processes.
The group also visited the WTE Plant, where they learned about incineration processes, air pollution control, and energy generation system.
The visit concluded with technical discussions with Horsol Switz Engineering Asia Pte Ltd on the technical and economic aspects of WTE implementation.
These discussions reinforced the role of WTE in reducing landfill waste, and supporting circular economy principles.
NREB is now taking steps to enhance its GHG monitoring, reporting and enforcement strategies in alignment with global standards.
This visit provided valuable insight into emissions governance, data management, and WTE technologies, and reaffirmed Sarawak’s commitment to international collaboration in addressing climate change and focuses on environmental sustainability.
