NEWS & UPDATE

KUCHING
4 SEPTEMBER

Sarawak’s efforts in nature-based climate action advanced today at the fourth edition of the Sustainability & Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF 4.0), organised by Sarawak Energy. This was demonstrated with the symbolic handing over of the Dataran Seping Carbon Study Permit (CSP) from the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) to Sarawak Energy together with the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Sarawak Energy’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, said: “Today marks an important milestone for Sarawak Energy as we strengthen our commitment to sustainability and climate action on two fronts.”

“The Carbon Study Permit enables us to advance our Nature-based Solutions projects, reducing our transition risks exposure, safeguarding our hydropower catchments, conserving biodiversity and delivering long-term value to local communities. At the same time, the Memorandum of Understanding with IUCN brings global conservation expertise to Sarawak.

“Together, these initiatives strengthen our net zero ambitions and illustrate how strong collaboration between government, industry and international partners can generate lasting benefits for both people and the planet.”

The CSP was presented by Datu Haji Hamden Bin Haji Mohammad, Director of Forests, to Dato Sri JC Fong, Sarawak Energy’s Board Sustainability Chairman and Board Member, while the MoU with IUCN was exchanged between James Dalton, Global Director, Water and Wetlands International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Marconi Madai, Senior Vice President of Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) at Sarawak Energy.

Both the MoU exchange and CSP handover were witnessed by The Honourable Datuk Haji Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Sarawak.

Also present were His Excellency Oknha Datuk Dr. Othsman Hassan, Senior Minister in Charge of Special Missions (Islamic Affairs) of Cambodia; Ir. James Ung, Sarawak Energy Group Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer of SESCO, Lau Kim Swee and Hajah Siti Aisah Adenan, Senior Vice President for Corporate Services.

Earlier, Datuk Haji Len delivered a keynote address during the Advancing Circular Economy in ASEAN’s Energy Sector: Maximising Sustainability and Resource Efficiency Plenary Session where he urged the public to embrace the principles of circular economy.

“I call on everyone here, policy makers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and community champions, to take three steps: Commit; put circular economy principles into your energy projects and policies. Collaborate; share ideas, share technology and build projects together, across borders. Champion; be the example that inspires others to act.” he said.

He added: “The circular economy is not just about machines and technology. It is about how we think and act. It is about seeing waste as the start of something new. Our Premier of Sarawak says it best: ‘Don’t waste the waste.’ If we live by this message, Sarawak and ASEAN can lead the world in sustainable energy.”

The Carbon Study Permit provides Sarawak Energy with the legal approval to commence feasibility studies for its Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects within the identified hydropower catchment areas. These projects will play a vital role in climate action and resilience, safeguarding water resources and ensuring energy resilience, enhancing biodiversity protection, and supporting surrounding communities, while contributing to Sarawak’s ambition of achieving net zero pathway by 2050. Estimated to generate more than 250,000 carbon credit units, these credits will be used to offset emissions from Sarawak Energy’s hard-to-abate generation sectors, supporting the company’s 1.5°C Business Ambition and Net Zero Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The initiative also embodies best practices from the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS), leveraging Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to enhance climate resilience while delivering long-term co-benefits for both communities and biodiversity.

Concurrently, the MoU exchange with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) establishes a five-year strategic collaboration to:

• Provide technical advisory and strategic guidance to implement global best practices in biodiversity management, including forest restoration, species conservation, and adaptive management.

• Strengthen Sarawak Energy’s biodiversity performance using IUCN tools and frameworks, such as iBAT, Red List of Species, Green List of Protected Areas, STAR (Species Threat Abatement and Restoration), ROAM (Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology), RHINO (Rapid High-Integrity Nature-Positive Outcomes), and the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-Based Solutions.
• Mainstream and expand Nature-based Solutions initiatives in Malaysia, restoring ecosystems, supporting community resilience, and refining Sarawak Energy’s NbS strategy, monitoring, evaluation, communication, and advocacy frameworks.

• Promote knowledge exchange, capacity building, collaborative learning, and research through IUCN’s global partnership programs.

This strategic MoU will accelerate Sarawak Energy’s environmental sustainability and biodiversity stewardship efforts, embedding measurable nature-positive outcomes across its projects and strengthening its position as a leader in sustainable hydropower development and operation aligned with international best practices.

Both symbolic ceremonies complement SAREF 4.0’s role as a platform for collaboration and innovation in the energy transition, attracting participation from regional and international stakeholders.

The Honourable Datuk Haji Len Talif Salleh (second left) witnesses the MoU exchange between IUCN and Sarawak Energy. Also seen from left: James Dalton, Ir. James Ung and Marconi Madai.

The Honourable Datuk Haji Len Talif Salleh (seventh left) in a photo-call with dignitaries after the handover of the Carbon Study Permit by Datu Haji Hamden Bin Mohamed (fifth left) to Dato Sri JC Fong (fifth right). Also seen at sixth left is His Excellency Oknha Datuk Dr. Othsman Hassan.

The Honourable Datuk Haji Len Talif Salleh delivers his keynote address.