Sarawak’s commitment to low-carbon future

Sarawak’s development story is often told through its rivers, forests and vast landscapes. Today, that story is being rewritten with a new emphasis, that is sustainability. Under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, the state has placed environmental stewardship at the heart of its long-term economic transformation, positioning Sarawak as one of Malaysia’s most proactive regions in the global shift toward a low-carbon future.

At the centre of this ambition lies the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), a comprehensive roadmap designed not only to elevate Sarawak into a high-income state but to do so responsibly. Unlike traditional growth models that prioritised rapid industrial expansion with heavy environmental costs, Sarawak’s current priority is anchored in balancing prosperity with planetary responsibility.

One of the most striking achievements thus far is the state’s renewable energy portfolio. More than 70 per cent of Sarawak’s electricity generation already comes from renewable sources, primarily hydropower. This figure surpasses the initial 60 per cent target set for 2030, placing the state ahead of schedule.

With major hydropower dams feeding the grid and new transmission infrastructure expanding reach, Sarawak has built a strong foundation for green industrialisation.

The significance of this cannot be overstated. Energy forms the backbone of any modern economy. By ensuring that its electricity supply is largely renewable, Sarawak is able to attract investments in manufacturing, digital technology and heavy industry with a reduced carbon footprint. Investors increasingly assess environmental, social and governance (ESG) indicators before committing capital. Sarawak’s renewable advantage gives it a competitive edge.

Yet the Premier’s sustainability vision extends beyond clean energy generation. It is underpinned by legislation and governance reforms that institutionalise environmental accountability. The Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Ordinance 2023 represents a landmark regulatory framework.

It provides the legal basis for monitoring, reporting and managing emissions across sectors, from energy and transportation to agriculture and manufacturing. In essence, Sarawak is building its own carbon governance architecture.

This regulatory seriousness aligns with the state’s broader net-zero aspiration by 2050. Achieving net-zero is not a slogan; it requires systemic transformation. It demands accurate greenhouse gas inventories, sectoral reduction pathways and credible enforcement mechanisms. Sarawak’s plan to publish a detailed emissions inventory by 2027 signals transparency and data-driven policy.

Equally transformative is the push towards a hydrogen economy. Leveraging its abundant renewable electricity, Sarawak has positioned green hydrogen as a future export commodity and domestic fuel alternative. Pilot projects in hydrogen-powered buses and refuelling stations have demonstrated technological viability. By producing hydrogen using renewable energy rather than fossil fuels, the state creates value while avoiding additional carbon emissions.

Hydrogen development complements the target of achieving 10 gigawatts of renewable generation capacity by 2030. Scaling up generation capacity not only supports domestic consumption but strengthens Sarawak’s ambition to become a regional energy hub. The ability to export clean power or energy derivatives enhances revenue diversification while reinforcing environmental credentials.

Sustainability, however, is not confined to energy alone. The recently passed Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Bill 2025 marks another important step toward embedding circular economy principles. Waste is increasingly recognised as both an environmental liability and an economic opportunity.

By promoting recycling, responsible disposal and resource recovery, Sarawak is transitioning away from the linear “take-make-dispose” model toward a regenerative system.

This circular approach reduces landfill dependency, lowers pollution and encourages innovation in waste-to-energy technologies. It also nurtures green entrepreneurship, as businesses emerge around recycling, sustainable packaging and resource efficiency.

Environmental protection in Sarawak must also account for its rich biodiversity. Vast rainforest areas and complex river systems are ecological treasures. Nature-based Solutions (NbS), adopted particularly in hydropower catchment management, demonstrate how infrastructure and conservation can coexist. Reforestation programmes, biodiversity offsets and watershed management projects help maintain ecological balance while ensuring energy security.

Perhaps one of the most compelling statistics underpinning Sarawak’s sustainability credentials is the reported 73 per cent reduction in carbon emissions intensity between 2010 and 2021. While the figure reflects structural shifts in energy generation and industrial efficiency, it also illustrates that meaningful progress is achievable with consistent policy direction.

Critics may argue that Sarawak’s economy still relies on extractive industries, including oil and gas. That reality cannot be ignored. However, the current policy direction suggests a deliberate transition rather than abrupt abandonment.

Revenue from traditional sectors is being channelled to finance green infrastructure, digitalisation and human capital development. This pragmatic approach ensures stability while preparing for diversification.

Education and talent development form another pillar of the green transition. Building a sustainable economy requires engineers, environmental scientists, data analysts and skilled technicians. Sarawak’s investment in technical education and green skills training ensures that its youth are equipped to participate in emerging industries rather than being displaced by them.

Importantly, sustainability is also about social inclusion. Rural electrification, improved transport connectivity and digital access ensure that environmental progress does not widen inequality. Clean energy and sustainable infrastructure must benefit both urban and interior communities. In this regard, PCDS 2030 integrates environmental, economic and social dimensions rather than treating them separately.

Abang Johari’s leadership style has consistently emphasised long-term planning over short-term populism. Environmental sustainability requires precisely that: patience, investment and policy coherence. The establishment of clear legislative frameworks, ambitious energy targets and diversified green initiatives demonstrates that Sarawak’s commitment is structured, not symbolic.

Globally, climate change remains one of the defining challenges of the century. Regions that adapt early stand to gain economically and reputationally. Sarawak’s path suggests that it seeks to be among those leaders rather than laggards. By embedding sustainability into its development DNA, the state strengthens resilience against climate risks while unlocking new growth avenues.

For the general public, the transition may manifest gradually: cleaner buses, improved waste systems, greener industrial parks and new employment sectors. But collectively, these changes signify a deeper transformation. Sarawak is not merely reacting to global climate pressures; it is proactively shaping its own sustainable future.

In steering Sarawak toward a low-carbon, innovation-driven economy, the Premier has demonstrated that environmental stewardship and economic ambition are not mutually exclusive. They are complementary.

Through deliberate policy design and disciplined implementation, Sarawak is charting a path where growth and green responsibility move forward together. That is not just a development strategy. It is a legacy in the making.