Kuching – Sarawak has made a significant environmental leap by becoming the first state in Malaysia to pass a law specifically targeting greenhouse gas emissions. The Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emission) Bill, 2023, was unanimously passed by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and Federal-State Relations), the bill is a crucial step towards achieving Sarawak’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The legislation aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through various strategies and promote carbon capture and storage. It also seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate change and encourages Sarawakians to participate in global warming mitigation projects, potentially earning carbon credits.
Following the bill’s passage, Sharifah Hasidah announced plans to establish an advisory panel focusing on climate change, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), carbon credits, and pricing. This initiative aligns with Sarawak’s efforts to contribute to Malaysia’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Sharifah Hasidah also highlighted that the new law would enable Sarawak to develop its regulatory framework on clean and renewable energy, positioning the state as a global leader in clean energy. She drew parallels between Sarawak’s environmental ambitions and those of developed countries like Australia, which recently passed the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023.
