KUCHING: With an investment of RM13.7 million last year, Sarawak is intensifying its efforts to introduce sustainability education into classrooms through the establishment of Environmental Lovers Clubs (PALS) in schools across the state.
Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, said the initiative aims to nurture a young generation that cares for the environment in line with the government’s commitment to cultivating a green culture from the grassroots level.
“This grant initiative targets 100 per cent participation of schools in Sarawak in establishing PALS Clubs by 2030, in line with the state’s vision to become a green, clean, healthy, and sustainable region.
“This special grant is not merely financial assistance but a symbol of the government’s strong commitment to directly involving the younger generation in efforts to preserve and conserve the environment,” he said during the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 PALS Club Teacher Advisor Education Workshop here today.
His text of speech was read by Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Sarawak, Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
Elaborating further, Awang Tengah stated that various initiatives aimed at making Sarawak a low-carbon state have been implemented through science-based approaches, innovation, and inclusive participation, aligning with the aspiration to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Key steps include the enactment of the Environmental Ordinance (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction) 2023 and the implementation of the Sarawak Climate Change Policy as a progressive regulatory framework.
“The government is also investing in renewable energy such as hydroelectric, solar, and biomass, in addition to gazetting and managing forest areas such as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Permanent Forest Reserves.
“Ecosystem restoration efforts, especially coastal and mangrove forests, are also being intensified through blue carbon approaches, while environmental education and awareness programmes are being expanded through collaboration with the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) alongside schools, communities, and stakeholders.
“At the school level, the PALS Club serves as the main platform for informal education, leadership development, and student-led environmental sustainability actions,” he said.
