As part of its commitment in ensuring environmental sustainability and economic empowerment, Sarawak is undertaking various measures to achieve its target for net-zero emissions by 2050, according to the Premier of Sarawak YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
Speaking at the Forest Conservation Conference 2023 in Kuching on 12 June 2023, he outlined these measures which include:
- Establishment of Climate Change Centre that is expected to become a hub for the coordination, oversight and management of carbon trading and storage development towards climate change mitigation. “With the establishment of this centre, Sarawak can position itself as a leader in climate change and carbon trading initiatives in the region, attracting investment and talent to drive sustainable economic growth,” he explained
- Development of a State Climate Change Policy, which aims to provide guidelines for every community in Sarawak “towards a more sustainable and resilient future”
- Protection and restoration of forests as carbon sinks through initiatives such as the Forest Landscape Restoration programme by Jabatan Hutan Sarawak and the 100-Million Tree Planting campaign that is implemented across Malaysia
- Development of a Green Economy Policy, in line with the Sarawak Government’s mission to transform the State in a sustainable green economy. The Premier elaborated that this would involve “balancing economic growth with responsible resource use and consumption patterns in order to protect our environment and mitigate the effects of climate change”
- Formulation of Sarawak Biodiversity Master Plan to integrate biodiversity and ecosystem into State development planning, laws and institutions, as well as further guide sustainable development
He further noted that Sarawak’s net-zero targets align with aspirations of its forestry sector under Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, namely to become internationally recognised in sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation, at the same time to boost further development in the timber industry.
“Forest management practices and stewardship will focus on balancing the forest development, enhancing services obtained from forests and the need for conservation of biodiversity.
“The initiative includes restoring 200,000 hectares of degraded forest areas, certification of three million hectares of long-term forest timber license area (natural forest), and 230,000 hectares of forest plantation by 2025 under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme or any other recognised global certification standard such as Forest Stewardship Council,” he said.
About Forest Conservation Conference 2023
Organised by Jabatan Hutan Sarawak, the inaugural conference – which gathers conservationists, researchers, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, communities, and forest protection and conservation practitioners across Malaysia – aims to:
- Share on roles of Permanent Forest Estates (PFEs) in the conservation and protection of flora, fauna and water catchment;
- Enhance engagement and involvement of stakeholders in conservation efforts in PFEs, and;
- Share knowledge and experiences in implementing conservation projects and programmes beyond the Totally Protected Areas (TPAs).
Source: Forest Conservation Conference 2023 flyer, provided by UKAS
Sarawak’s Forest Coverage
62% or 7.65 million hectares (ha) of Sarawak’s landmass is under forest cover:
- 3.95 million ha are gazetted as PFEs
- 872,000 hectares are gazetted as TPAs
As of May 2023, Sarawak has 117 PFEs, including the newly gazetted Murum Protected Forest (7,236 ha) and Bakam Forest Reserve (907 ha). It has also contributed the most total forest cover in Malaysia at 42.4%.
Forest Management Certification in Sarawak
A key tool for implementing sustainable forest management (SFM) in Sarawak, Forest Management Certification ensures that international standards of SFM are met and environmental impact of forest operations is minimised.
As of May 2023:
- 10 Forest Management Units with total area of 1.78 million ha, and
- 7 Forest Plantation Management Units with total area of 97,966 ha
have been certified under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS)
References:
Sulok, T. (2023, June 12). Abang Johari: Sarawak formulating masterplan to include biodiversity in development programmes. Malay Mail. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/06/12/abang-johari-sarawak-formulating-masterplan-to-include-biodiversity-in-development-programmes/73903
Ten, M. (2023, June 12). Forest director: PFEs have potential to be carbon storage areas. Borneo Post Online. https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/06/12/forest-director-pfes-have-potential-to-be-carbon-storage-areas/
Unit Komunikasi Awam Sarawak. (2023, June 12). SIARAN LANGSUNG 12 JUN 2023: PERASMIAN FOREST CONSERVATION CONFERENCE 2023. [Video]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/unitkomunikasidanpenerangansarawak/videos/282704670796727/
