KUCHING: Sarawak is poised to play a significant role in addressing climate challenges through both nature-based and technical-based solutions.
Deputy Energy and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Dr. Hazland Abang Hipni said Sarawak is endowed with many natural resources that can contribute to environmental sustainability.
This, he said, includes its vast forests covering 62 per cent of its land area, which serve as crucial carbon sinks.
“Besides forests, our peat and mangrove forests can store three times more carbon than regular trees. For example, in Bako. That’s where the carbon stock is.
“We also have blue carbon in the sea and rivers; in plants like seaweed. We haven’t calculated the amount of carbon in these yet.
“The carbon stock in Sarawak is much larger. Sarawak is not missing this great and easy opportunity,” he said when officiating at the Sarawak Lestari ‘Keterangkuman’ Seminar at Pustaka Sarawak today.
Dr Hazland said that nature-based solutions are not very effective if applied in industrial areas due to the higher amount of carbon emissions produced.
Therefore, he said, Sarawak is leveraging over 1,600 used oil wells to store carbon through technical-based solutions.
“In industrial areas, carbon can be captured in machines, then liquefied and stored in used oil wells.
“We have over 1,600 oil wells with a carbon storage potential of 9 billion tonnes of carbon.
“We will start the first carbon capture project in 2026. Currently, we are drafting laws, technology, finance systems, and taxes, as well as training human resources through iCATS University College and other universities.
“By 2026 only, we will start carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS),” he added.
Noting that Sarawak is located outside the ring of fire, he expressed optimism that Sarawak would emerge as a prime destination for industries seeking carbon storage services.
“We have a Premier who is brave enough to venture into new fields. Even if we have resources, without courage, nothing can be achieved,” he said.
