Latest news with #ClimateChangeandCarbonGovernanceEnactment2025
Daily Express
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Continental shelf part of Sabah territory
Published on: Thursday, July 10, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 10, 2025 By: Larry Ralon Text Size: Abidin explained that enforcement powers under the Enactment are strictly limited to carbon-related matters and could only be exercised by authorised officers. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government reaffirmed its position that the continental shelf falls under State jurisdiction and that any carbon-related activities in the area must comply with the newly passed Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025, said Datuk Abidin Madingkir. The Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister said the State Government maintains that land under the Sabah Land Ordinance includes the continental shelf, consistent with the interpretation outlined in the North Borneo (Alteration of Boundaries) Order in Council 1954. 'As such, the continental shelf is part of the territory of Sabah,' he said when wrapping up the debates for the Bill at the State Legislative Assembly here Tuesday. Responding to issues raised by Tungku Assemblyman Assafal P Alian, Abidin said that discussions on the enforcement of the Territorial Sea Act 2012 and the Continental Shelf Act 1966 remain ongoing under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) negotiation framework and have been categorised as 'Agree to Disagree' by the MA63 Implementation Action Council. 'Until this matter is conclusively resolved, the State maintains its stand that the continental shelf is under Sabah's jurisdiction. Any carbon activity proposed within that area must comply with the provisions of this Enactment,' he said, adding that the Enactment complements rather than overrides laws such as the Penal Code and is specific to carbon-related governance. Replying to concerns from the Sebatik Assemblyman Datuk Hassan A Gani Pg Amir, Abidin assured that the Enactment would not disrupt small-scale activities such as farming, fishing or rural community businesses. 'Existing rights to use land for agriculture or access natural resources will not be affected. The Enactment only applies if a landowner voluntarily decides to undertake a carbon project to generate carbon credits,' he said. 'In such cases, this law ensures that all credit generation and usage, particularly for offsetting purposes, is transparently and clearly regulated in the interest of the State.' Abidin explained that enforcement powers under the Enactment are strictly limited to carbon-related matters and could only be exercised by authorised officers. He also clarified the distinction between carbon rights and carbon credits, saying carbon rights refer to the right to carry out carbon activities – including reduction, removal or storage of greenhouse gas emissions – in Sabah and registered under this Enactment. Carbon credits are tradeable instruments generated from such activities, typically issued by government or independent certification bodies,' he said. Addressing questions from Kapayan Assemblywoman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang, Abidin said the Sabah Climate Action Council (SCAC) would operate under the Chief Minister's Department, while technical implementation of the Enactment would be overseen by a Director under the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department. 'Appointments to this post will be made carefully among qualified, experienced and capable individuals to ensure effective and accountable implementation,' he said. He added that Section 13 of the Enactment empowers the Council to appoint technical advisors to support climate policy and strategy implementation. 'This reflects an inclusive and open approach to ensure the Council is guided by sufficient technical expertise,' he said. Abidin also said that all proposed carbon projects must undergo a feasibility study approved by the Council, and carbon rights would only be granted through a formal registration process. He emphasised that the Enactment clearly mandates the involvement of indigenous communities, particularly where carbon activities are proposed on or near Native Customary Rights (NCR) land as recognised under the Land Ordinance. 'Evidence of community involvement must be included in the feasibility study. These studies may also propose community development initiatives, which will be reviewed before any approval is granted,' he said. Community participation, he added, is a mandatory requirement that would be strengthened through regulations issued by the Minister. Addressing the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), Abidin said the Enactment incorporates this indirectly through the requirement for legitimate consultation and approval prior to the implementation of any carbon activity on native land. 'Implementation of this principle will be further detailed in subsidiary legislation and standard operating procedures once the Enactment is gazetted,' he said. Responding to a query on benefit-sharing mechanisms, Abidin explained that while such provisions are not spelled out in the principal law, they would be elaborated through future regulations and SOPs. He said the establishment of the Sabah Climate Fund, as provided under the Enactment, would serve as a financial mechanism to channel proceeds from carbon activities into capacity building, community development and climate change initiatives. 'This fund will be financed through levies, royalties and climate-related fees and will support inclusive, climate-resilient development across the State,' he said. He added that the fund aims to strengthen vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, water, health, infrastructure and biodiversity in adapting to climate risks, while mainstreaming climate risk management into public investment planning and governance systems. 'I must stress here that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government will ensure that everything we have proposed will be implemented efficiently, systematically and to the highest standards,' said Abidin. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Safeguarding carbon sink status: State Assembly passes the Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025
Published on: Wednesday, July 09, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025 By: Larry Ralon Text Size: 'Governments and industries around the world are investing billions to shift towards greener economies. Sabah already has this natural advantage. The challenge now is how to use it wisely – and not lose it,' Abidin said. Kota Kinabalu: The State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025, positioning the State as a leader in environmental stewardship and climate resilience in Malaysia. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir said the Bill was a crucial step to protect and leverage Sabah's rare status as a net carbon sink – one of the few jurisdictions in the world to absorb more carbon than it emits. 'In 2024, Sabah conducted its first comprehensive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory. Although there are still data gaps to refine, the findings are striking – we absorb more carbon than we release,' he said when tabling the Bill, Tuesday. Abidin revealed that Sabah alone contributes approximately 36 per cent of Malaysia's total carbon sequestration. 'This means Sabah has already gone beyond what the world is asking for under the Paris Agreement. We have already done our part – today – for Malaysia's 2050 net zero commitment,' he added. Describing the net sink status as a 'strategic economic asset', Abidin stressed the importance of safeguarding it through sound policy and governance. 'Governments and industries around the world are investing billions to shift towards greener economies. Sabah already has this natural advantage. The challenge now is how to use it wisely – and not lose it,' he said. He warned that failure to act responsibly could cause the State to forfeit its environmental edge and fall into the same carbon-intensive trap as many others. At the same time, Abidin said Sabah faces increasing threats as one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in Malaysia. 'We are seeing the effects through worsening floods, coastal erosion and the changing livelihoods of our rural communities. These dual realities demand both vision and urgency,' he said. The Bill aims to develop comprehensive systems for carbon governance, resilience-building and inclusive climate action – with the ultimate goal of ensuring that benefits reach all Sabahans. 'We want this unique position to not only serve global climate progress, but to improve the daily lives of our people,' he said. He emphasised that achieving this would require 'capacity, investment and partnership', with active collaboration across local, national and international stakeholders, including the Federal Government. 'Our approach will be constructive, inclusive and grounded in what makes Sabah truly exceptional,' said Abidin. Abidin said the State had already taken early steps by establishing the Sabah Climate Action Council (SCAC) as the State's advisory body on climate policy. The newly passed Bill formalises and strengthens this role through a two-tier governance structure – with SCAC as the policy authority and a Director overseeing implementation and regulation of carbon activities and GHG emissions. The Enactment also asserts that all carbon rights within Sabah belong to the State Government, positioning SCAC as the central one-stop agency for all carbon-related matters. Abidin said this institutional framework adopts a top-down approach to ensure climate governance is mainstreamed into the entire State administration, including ministries and departments, while also aligning policies across all economic sectors to strengthen institutional capacity and long-term resilience. He said the Enactment reflects Sabah's determination to build its own robust and transparent climate governance system, aligned with national and international developments. Carbon assets will be used through regulated carbon projects, supported by a strong carbon accounting mechanism to steer the State's development goals. This strategy will promote economic growth – including emission balancing efforts – while protecting the competitiveness of key economic sectors, especially in job creation and support for vulnerable communities. Abidin said environmental matters are not explicitly listed under the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution and, under Article 77, fall under State jurisdiction. Furthermore, issues concerning land, forests and water are on the State List (List II), giving Sabah clear justification to enact its own climate and carbon governance laws. By asserting full ownership of carbon rights, the State Government can safeguard Sabah's interests and ensure the benefits of carbon-related initiatives are returned to the people. Without clear regulation at the State level, these interests risk being exploited without fair returns. Through registration and clear carbon rights recognition by the State, all authorised carbon activities can be monitored and their benefits channelled into sustainable development and ecosystem protection. 'This is essential to maintaining State sovereignty and ensuring that all carbon-related activities are transparently and centrally governed,' he said. The Enactment also places strong emphasis on indigenous community participation, particularly for carbon activities proposed on Native Customary Land under the Land Ordinance. 'Any such activity must involve meaningful consultation with the relevant communities or their appointed representatives. This ensures indigenous people play an active role in carbon initiatives while preserving their rights, heritage and identity,' he said. In addition, the law introduces mandatory GHG emissions reporting by entities specified in the Enactment. Abidin said this is crucial to ensuring Sabah has comprehensive, up-to-date and verifiable data on the environmental impact of its economic activities. Accurate data will enable the State Government to shape better policies, implement effective mitigation and adaptation strategies, and elevate Sabah's credibility in global climate governance. The Bill consists of 11 parts. The first addresses preliminary matters including the title, commencement, and legal consistency. The second establishes SCAC as the apex body for climate governance, chaired by the State Secretary and comprised key ministry representatives and appointed experts. The third part creates the Sabah Climate Registry and Inventory Centre, a technical and administrative body managing climate data, carbon rights and a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system aligned with national and global mechanisms. Part four sets up the Sabah Climate Fund, managed by the Centre's Director, to support climate projects, capacity development and administrative needs. Part five mandates the involvement of indigenous communities in proposed carbon activities on native customary land, including direct engagement, benefit sharing and, if needed, community development elements – all subject to approval. Part six sets the legal framework for carbon activities, including recognition, registration and ownership of carbon rights, while prohibiting unregistered claims. Part seven governs carbon credits, stating only registered rights holders may generate them. It also introduces levies on transactions and annual royalties for credits produced in Sabah. Part eight mandates GHG emissions reporting and introduces a State carbon budget – a cap on cumulative net emissions – along with requirements for sectoral reporting, emissions balancing and Council-led mitigation and adaptation planning. Part nine covers enforcement, while Part ten addresses general provisions. Abidin said the Bill was drafted through extensive stakeholder engagement to ensure that its implementation will meet policy objectives effectively. Its core mission is to establish a credible, transparent climate and carbon governance system that safeguards State sovereignty, protects indigenous rights and builds Sabah's long-term climate resilience. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah passes climate change Bill after blowing past Paris Agreement targets
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has passed the Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025, following official confirmation that the state absorbs more carbon than it emits, placing it ahead of global expectations set under the Paris Agreement. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir, who tabled the Bill in the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (July 8), cited findings from Sabah's first Greenhouse Gas Inventory, conducted last year, which identified the state as a net carbon sink, a rare position globally. 'In simple terms, we absorb more carbon than we emit. Sabah has already gone beyond what the world is asking for under the Paris Agreement. We have done our part, today, for Malaysia's 2050 net-zero commitment,' he said. The data showed that Sabah contributes approximately 36% of Malaysia's total carbon sequestration, underscoring its environmental value and strategic importance in the low-carbon global economy. Madingkir described this status as a 'strategic economic asset' in a carbon-constrained world, and one that must be 'guarded jealously'. 'This is not something we can take lightly. If we are not careful, we could quickly lose this position and become a carbon polluter like many others, squandering the advantage we currently hold,' he said. Despite this rare advantage, he reminded the assembly that Sabah remains one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in Malaysia, grappling with floods, coastal erosion and threats to rural livelihoods. The newly passed Bill aims to address both challenges, turning vulnerability into opportunity. The Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025 establishes a legal framework for regulating carbon-related activities, protecting the state's carbon assets and building institutional climate resilience. Key provisions include establishing the Sabah Climate Action Council (SCAC) as the state's lead policy advisory body; creating a Climate Fund and Inventory Centre for tracking greenhouse gas emissions; mandating emissions reporting by listed entities; affirming that carbon rights belong to the state government; and ensuring the participation of Indigenous communities, especially for projects on customary land. The Bill also provides a mechanism for managing carbon credit generation, benefit-sharing and enforcement, supported by a two-tier governance structure with oversight across state agencies. Madingkir explained that environmental matters fall under the state's legislative authority, as they are not included in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. Land, water and forests, key to carbon governance, fall under List II (State List), strengthening Sabah's legislative right to act, he added. He stressed that while Sabah already leads in environmental performance, maintaining this lead will require capacity-building, funding and strategic partnerships, especially with the Federal Government and global stakeholders. 'Our goal is to ensure that the benefits of this unique position reach the lives of Sabahans, while contributing meaningfully to global climate progress,' he said. The Enactment passed with strong support from lawmakers across the aisle, reflecting political will to position Sabah at the forefront of green policy and carbon economy.
Daily Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sabah passes landmark climate change and carbon bill
Published on: Tuesday, July 08, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 08, 2025 By: Larry Ralon Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Assembly has passed the Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025, positioning Sabah as a national leader in environmental protection and climate resilience. Assistant Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir said the Bill safeguards Sabah's status as a 'net carbon sink' – one of the few places in the world that absorbs more carbon than it emits. Sabah currently accounts for 36pc of Malaysia's total carbon sequestration. He called this a 'strategic economic asset' that must be protected through sound governance to avoid losing its environmental advantage, while noting that Sabah is also one of Malaysia's most climate-vulnerable regions. The new law will create a comprehensive carbon governance framework, promote inclusive climate action, and ensure that climate benefits reach all Sabahans. Abidin said success will require investment, capacity-building, and collaboration across all levels, with a focus on using Sabah's natural advantage wisely. * Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
