Sarawak expands carbon credit initiatives, issuing permits for 231,983 hectares and enabling rural communities to participate in sustainable economic benefits
KUCHING: Sarawak is strengthening its green economy agenda following COP28 through new regulations and expanded carbon credit projects, creating sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the state’s carbon initiatives are reinforced by the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Ordinance 2023 and Forest (Forest Carbon Activity) Regulations 2022.
These regulations require all projects to comply with international carbon standards like Verra and Gold Standard to ensure integrity, transparency and effectiveness.
“COP28 emphasized international cooperation under Article 6 to reduce carbon emissions through Nature-based Solutions like forest replanting and carbon credit initiatives, approaches now aligned with Sarawak’s direction,” he said.
Following the enforcement of these ordinances and regulations, nine Forest Carbon Study Permits covering 231,983 hectares have been issued, with seven new applications under consideration.
Additionally, one Forest Carbon License spanning 25,675 hectares has been approved.
Len Talif was responding to a supplementary question from Christopher Gira Sambang (GPS-Tamin) about carbon credit initiative outcomes post-COP28 and benefits to rural communities during the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly question session.
The initiatives also open participation opportunities for rural communities, including owners of gazetted Native Customary Rights land, to apply for Forest Carbon Study Permits and Forest Carbon Licenses if they meet ordinance and regulation requirements.
Project developers will provide various training and capacity building programs for communities to support carbon project management and forest replanting.
These include training in forest replanting techniques, seedling nursery management, project area monitoring and patrols, sustainable forest resource management, and biomass inventory training.
The programs enable communities to enhance skills, knowledge and practical experience in carbon project management, thereby strengthening their involvement in environmental conservation efforts. – Bernama
