THE Sarawak government is establishing a Climate and Energy Diplomacy Unit under the Premier’s Department to spearhead regional and international engagements on climate, carbon and energy transition.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Sarawak Climate Change Centre will be placed under this Unit as its technical arm to support policy, data and scientific work.
“This governance structure positions Sarawak as a regional leader in climate and energy diplomacy, safeguarding our environmental assets while creating new economic value for the state,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Wednesday (Dec 3).
The Minister of Finance and New Economy said through the Unit, Sarawak aims to advance its green resource frontier, including hydrogen and ammonia, circular economy initiatives, bio-based materials, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and sustainable aviation fuel feedstock.
Abang Johari also emphasised the importance of a modern circular economy to reduce landfill dependence, cut methane emissions, and strengthen resource efficiency across the state.
“As we advance our clean energy agenda, we must also protect the forests and landscapes that sustain our rivers and hydropower dams,” he said.
He said conservation is not a cost but an investment that safeguards water security and generates sustainable income for rural communities.
“In 2025, Sarawak exceeded its tree-planting target of 35 million by planting over 55 million trees as of October, and became the first Malaysian region to issue forest carbon licences to support nature-based carbon projects,” he said.
He added that the state is now moving from broad commitments to practical, science-guided nature-based solutions.
Under these initiatives, the Forestry Department has granted Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) a Carbon Study Permit to conduct feasibility studies on forest and peatland conservation in key hydropower catchments, strengthening dam safety and exploring long-term carbon revenues.
“SEB has also signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, bringing global best practices to guide biodiversity management around major infrastructure assets,” he said.
The initiatives are expected to generate an estimated 250,000 carbon credits from preserved forests to offset emissions in hard-to-abate sectors, he added.
“The work will involve local and indigenous communities in designing conservation activities, co-managing forest areas and developing livelihood projects linked to restoration, eco-tourism and non-timber forest products, so that the value created by carbon markets is shared with the people who live closest to these sites,” said Abang Johari.
