Sarawak Energy 10 Year Integrated Tree Planting, Protection & Habitat

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TALKING POINTS FOR THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PREMIER OF SARAWAK,

DATUK PATINGGI TAN SRI (DR) ABANG HAJI ABDUL RAHMAN ZOHARI TUN DATUK ABANG HAJI OPENG

IN CONJUNCTION WITH SARAWAK ENERGY 10-YEAR INTEGRATED TREE PLANTING, PROTECTION & HABITAT

RESTORATION PROGRAMME LAUNCH

13 JUNE 2022 SAMAJAYA NATURE RESERVE

Key Messages

Climate change an international concern

Malaysia/Sarawak must play their part.

Nature-based solutions like tree planting are also important components of Sarawak’s climate action efforts.

Sarawak’s future socio-economic development will account for and prioritise environmental sustainability.

Carbon storage & carbon trading

Amendment to Forest Ordinance

Green & hydrogen economy

[Salutation]

Good morning,

I am pleased to join you for today’s launch of Sarawak Energy’s 10-Year Integrated Tree Planting, Protection and Habitat Restoration Programme.

Congratulations to Sarawak Energy for rolling out this programme in collaboration with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation.

This is an important partnership for the UN Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs – we all recognise that no single entity, agency, individual or even government can realise the global ambition for sustainable and universal prosperity without working together.

I am delighted that two key agencies are working together on this very important

initiative that will not just benefit Sarawak and Malaysia but also contribute to the global climate action effort, helping to protect the environment for future generations.

Climate Change a Global Concern

Environmental sustainability is now very much part of the global conversation in the face of climate change.

This is an issue that is compromising natural habitats and communities across the world.

The United Nations have reported that polar ice caps are melting and global sea levels are rising.

Malaysia will not be spared from the impact of climate change, with the ‘Climate Change Adaptation Framework for Water Sectors’ report  by  the  National  Water  Research

Institute of Malaysia indicating that we are vulnerable and at risk.

If we do not act with urgency, many sectors in our country including agriculture, health, ecosystems, biodiversity, and energy generation will be impacted. This will have huge ramifications for our people and growth.

We must be part of the collective action and join the international effort to curb climate change – working towards achieving UN SDG No. 13 on ‘Climate Action’ and meeting the Paris Climate Agreement’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Sarawak’s Nature-based Climate Action

While companies like Sarawak Energy are making deliberate efforts to balance development with environmental sustainability

by adopting international best practices and introducing strategic changes, nature-based solutions are also essential to mitigating climate and safeguarding ecosystems.

As Malaysia’s largest territory, Sarawak can serve as a climate action leader by taking the initiative to show how we can balance development with sustainability.

We are already committed to maintaining our forests through nature-based initiatives such as tree planting.

Recognising this, the Sarawak government is committing to planting 35 million trees by 2025.

This effort supports Malaysia’s ‘Greening Malaysia Programme’, which aims to plant 100 million trees by 2025.

As of 30 May 2022, a total of 33,162,534 trees have been planted nationwide with Sarawak topping the list with 12,247,202 trees.

Sarawak Energy’s 10-Year Integrated Tree Planting, Protection and Habitat Restoration Programme will further increase these numbers.

Sustainability Key to Sarawak Progress

Sarawak’s development strategies account for and prioritise environmental sustainability as exemplified by our early investment in renewables through the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy.

This commitment continues and is embedded in our Post COVID-19 Development Strategy, with  environmental  sustainability  being

identified of one of three main pillars that will support our drive to achieve high income status by 2030 while simultaneously ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all.

Our economic growth will be charted with a responsible approach to natural resource use with climate adaptation and mitigation measures in place.

As announced at the recent Malaysian Conservation Conference, a Sustainable Sarawak Blueprint is also in development to guide all sectors and communities within the state towards achieving sustainability goals.

It will address concerns regarding:

Biodiversity conservation.

Natural resources management.

Climate change.

Modern infrastructure in alignment with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

I look forward to support from all sectors in making this blueprint a success. Together, we can ensure that present and future generations of Sarawakians and Malaysians thrive.

Closing

I would like to commend Sarawak Energy for your many sustainability initiatives and programmes over the years, such as incorporating electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in Kuching’s public transportation system and supporting the State’s effort in watershed management, among others.

You have established yourselves as a sustainability leader in Sarawak and beyond, with your efforts playing an important role in

supporting our sustainable development agenda.

I know this campaign will be a success and I hope other corporates will follow your example.

Thank you.