SCAC established in Sabah

27 September 2024

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has established the Sabah Climate Action Council (SCAC), tasked with setting strategic directions and coordinating climate change mitigation and adaptation projects at the state level.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor stated that Sabah has amended the Sabah Land Ordinance Chapter 68 by including legal provisions related to carbon storage, which came into effect on June 19, 2023.

“In addition, Sabah has recently completed a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory study and a vulnerability assessment to develop the Sabah Climate Change Policy towards a low-carbon development,” he said.

He made this statement during the Engagement Session of the Ministry of Economy Malaysia with the Sabah State Government regarding the implementation of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) initiatives in Malaysia, held at the Main Meeting Room, Menara Kinabalu on Friday.

Hajiji was represented by the Deputy Chief Minister I/Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Jeffrey G. Datuk Kitingan.

Also present were the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr. Mohd. Arifin Datuk Mohd. Arif, the State Secretary, Datuk Seri Panglima Sr. Safar Untong, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Economy, Dato' Nor Azmie Diron, the State Attorney General, Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh, and the Federal Secretary of Sabah, Dato' Seri Rosli Isa.

He noted that the CCUS initiative aligns with the State Government's commitment to addressing climate change issues and realizing the national green technology agenda, as well as Sabah's contribution to the country’s commitment to achieving the “Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).”

He mentioned that the State Government acknowledges that a draft bill on CCUS is being formulated at the federal level and believes that all stakeholders, including federal ministries, industry players, and state governments, should be involved in preparing a comprehensive bill.

He stated that there are nine key messages to be highlighted in communications regarding the CCUS initiative in Malaysia, covering aspects of economic benefits, environmental protection, preparedness, and technical details.

Hajiji emphasised that the CCUS initiative is safe and necessary to help Malaysia achieve its Net Zero Aspirations by 2050. CCUS reduces the impact of climate change, manages CCUS risks through the formulation of comprehensive legislation and regulations, and oversees effective regulatory activities.

“CCUS aids the Local Hard-To-Abate Sector in addressing carbon dioxide emissions, reducing decarbonisation costs for this sector.

Malaysia has the potential to become a regional CCUS hub, which will drive CCUS growth and enhance Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he said.

Hajiji expressed hope for cooperation from the Ministry of Economy to ensure that input from Sabah is considered so that the state does not fall behind in CCUS initiatives.

He said that the State Government, through relevant ministries, departments, and agencies in Sabah, will fully cooperate in providing the necessary input for the implementation of the CCUS initiative.