KUCHING: Sarawak needs to legislate laws for carbon trading said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He stated that carbon trading legislation must be based on the international protocol that was agreed upon at the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow last year.
During the conference, an agreement between world leaders on a new set of rules for regulating carbon markets was agreed upon which would allow countries to trade the right to emit greenhouse gases.
“I have heard a lot about this. Many people have come to propose about carbon trading, but it is a no for Sarawak until we have our own legislation which is in compliance with the international protocol.
“This is indeed the future especially in the era of modern economy. Of course, Sarawak has to take its position in that changing economic era,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the Sarawak Utility and Telecommunication Conference 2022 at USCI Hotel here on Thursday (March 31).
Noting the challenges of climate change and environmental issues, Abang Johari said this was why Sarawak is driven towards green economy.
He pointed out that the state government was giving emphasis on green economy as the future is based on hydrogen.
“Sarawak already has a pilot project to produce hydrogen and it is a success seeing as we have investors who are attracted to come to the state.
“The plan is for Sarawak to produce 100,000 tons of hydrogen. Over time, the production of hydrogen will be more efficient because of technological improvement and advancement,” he said.
He added that Sarawak’s economy by the year 2030 would be in line with the global demand of environmental sustainability especially if the state plans to go into carbon trading.
“Sarawak is fortunate that it has a stable government, we can push to achieve the policies towards 2030. All my ministers and deputy ministers are focused on this transformation,” he assured.
