THE Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) will carry out a detailed forest carbon assessment to determine the current status of carbon stock in forested areas in Sarawak.
Minister of Finance and New Economy Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said a sum of RM1.4 million will be allocated next year to quantify the state’s forest carbon stock.
He also said currently, one carbon study permit and one carbon storage licence have been issued.
“Malaysia is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and in 2022, the state government amended the Forests Ordinance 2015 to provide provision for licensing of Forest Carbon Activity.
“Forest carbon activity is one of the strategies to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through carbon sequestration and storing it within the forests. This key initiative will also create new sources of revenue for us,” he said when tabling the Supply (2024) Bill on the first day of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
At the same time, Abang Johari said the state government is undertaking a study on the Sarawak Climate Change Policy and Low Carbon Society Blueprints covering Kuching, Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu with an allocation of RM1.5 million.
“Under the study, mitigation and adaptation measures will be formulated to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance climate resilience. To strengthen this effort, we will be embarking on a Sarawak Economy Policy and Action Plans Study with an allocation of RM3 million in 2024,” he said.
Recognising the significance of the state’s marine resources, Abang Johari said the state government will develop a Sarawak Blue Economy Policy and Roadmap (SBEP) for the sustainable development of coastal and marine ecosystems.
He said the livelihood of coastal communities is very much dependent on marine resources.
“With more than 1,000km of shoreline and rich marine resources within Sarawak’s continental shelf, it is believed that the coastal and marine ecosystems of Sarawak provide enormous economic potential.
“As such, the SBEP will promote a holistic and participatory approach to the conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems, sustainable use and management of associated resources such as fisheries, coastal tourism, renewable energy and marine biotechnology,” he said.
