This is not a partisan debate; it is a human one. Clean air and water, and a livable climate are inalienable human rights. And solving this crisis is not a question of politics. It is our moral obligation.
– Leonardo DiCaprio, American actor
You are, I am sure, concerned about climate change and the vastly negative impact we are witnessing. In that case, the term ‘decarbonise’ is yet another environmental term you can familiarise yourself with. It is being bandied about quite a lot now.
Decarbonisation is about reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions due to our activities.
The eventual outcome and goal of decarbonisation are to eliminate these CO2 emissions. This means we have to stop or reduce carbon gases in our environment, especially carbon dioxide, from being released into our atmosphere, such as burning fossil fuels.
We all know that greenhouse gases are unsuitable for the environment and cause global warming. Among all the greenhouse gases, CO2 is considered the worst offender.
In 2019 emissions from fossil fuels and industries discharged a record high of 36.7 billion metric tonnes of CO2. This is why tremendous efforts are being made to reduce CO2 emissions.
These climate change initiatives, especially the reduction of CO2, have arisen from The Paris Climate Conference, also known as the 21st Conference of the Parties (or “COP 21”), to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Paris Agreement 2015 has set a target to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. The goal is to become a global climate-neutral society by 2050.
The efforts to achieve this goal are massive. They must be carried out at all levels of society, from the individual, industrial, and governmental to international cooperation.
So now we know that we have to decarbonise to halt climate change. But what exactly is behind it?
In practice, getting to zero net emissions requires us to shift from fossil fuels to alternative low-carbon energy sources. Some examples of alternative low-carbon energy sources are wind, nuclear, tidal, hydropower, geothermal, solar, wave energy, biofuels and hydrogen.
Therefore, initiatives and efforts to decarbonise mean we have to shift our economic system to one that sustainably reduces the emissions of CO2. The ultimate goal is to create a CO2-free global economy.
Malaysia has committed itself as one of the signatories of The Paris Agreement. It has promised to reduce greenhouse gases by 45 percent by 2030.
This consists of 35 percent on an unconditional basis but 10 percent on a conditional basis if it receives climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building from developed countries. It has also developed its own National Policy on Climate Change.
The Sarawak government is also playing its part in reducing the carbon footprint here. It has also committed itself to mitigating the effects of climate change. It will play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gases.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the biggest polluters are the transport sector. It accounts for around 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
As one of the most abundant elements, hydrogen is seen as a great alternative to fossil fuels as it does not release CO2 when burned. Its only by-product is energy and water. Therefore it is considered to be an ideal energy source.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg when tabling the 2023 Sarawak Budget said, “Sarawak is presently embarking on enhancing its public transport system via the development of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) which is to be integrated with digital solutions to create seamless experience using hydrogen fuel cell.”
He added, “We expect this eco-friendly integrated public transportation system will reduce carbon footprint in Kuching City by 15 percent by the year 2030.”
Abang Johari also stated that “Sarawak … must play its part for the country to achieve its net zero target emission by 2050.”
This is just one of the decarbonisation initiatives undertaken by Abang Johari’s government.
Additionally, Sarawak will implement the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) scheme to help further reduce CO2 in our environment. It recently passed the Land Code (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which enables CCUS to be utilised as a powerful mitigation technology towards a low-carbon economy.
The Premier has also undertaken to have a comprehensive study on the Sarawak Climate Change Policy and Low Carbon Society Blueprint in Cities and Towns in Sarawak and Formulation of Sarawak Green Economy Policy and Action Plans.
Together with hydropower from our dams and solar farms in the interior, Sarawak has swung into action to further enhance its green credentials.
It is crucial we accelerate the process of decarbonisation to achieve the net zero goals. Sarawak, via its laws, policies, activities and initiatives, is playing its part.
You, too, can become part of the team to keep Sarawak environmentally safe for all its people.
Decarbonise now!
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
