Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is positioning its rich natural capital as a driver of climate action, green investment, sustainable livelihoods and long-term economic resilience through its Conservation Next approach.
Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) Forest Sector Planning Division Head Rosila Anthony, speaking on behalf of the Sabah Chief Conservator of Forests, said nature-based solutions (NBS) offered an integrated approach to biodiversity conservation, climate action and inclusive economic development.
She said Sabah was internationally recognised for its rich natural capital, encompassing extensive tropical rainforests, mangrove ecosystems, peatlands and diverse terrestrial and marine biodiversity.
“Invest in nature, in forestry of course, and create a legacy for generations to come. So we’re not doing this now, but we’re doing this for the generation to come, for the future generation,” she said at the Carbon Credit & ESG Ecosystem Conference 2026 at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here Tuesday.
Her talk titled Nature, Climate & Economy: Sabah’s Pathway Through Nature-Based Solutions.
She said Sabah had approximately 4.6 million hectares of forest, covering around 63 per cent of its total land area, making it one of the most biodiverse tropical forest landscapes in the world.
Of the State’s total forest resources of 7.41 million hectares, about half is under protected areas, while more than 3.8 million hectares, or 52 per cent of its land area, are legally protected.
She said the ecosystems provided essential environmental services, including carbon sequestration, climate regulation, watershed protection and biodiversity conservation.
“Think beyond carbon. That was the message that I get just now,” she said.
Rosila said Sabah had progressively strengthened its commitment to sustainable forest management (SFM) and climate action over the past decade, with early conservation efforts focused mainly on protected area management, sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.
She said growing global attention towards climate change mitigation and adaptation had expanded the role of forests and other natural ecosystems as critical carbon sinks and climate-resilient assets.
“This evolution has positioned NBS as a key strategy for Sabah’s sustainable development agenda,” she said.
She said Sabah’s Conservation Next Framework strategically positioned its natural capital as a green growth asset by unlocking opportunities in carbon markets, nature-based forest recreation activities and sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Rosila said Sabah’s role in advancing NBS was supported by its responsibilities over land, forests and natural resources, which formed the foundation for many climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives.
She said successful implementation required enabling policies, robust governance mechanisms and effective partnerships across all sectors.
The Sabah Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025 established a State-level framework for climate governance, carbon management and carbon-related activities, complementing existing legislation governing environmental and biodiversity management.
She said Section 28D of the Forest Enactment 1968 also supported carbon governance, climate finance and cross-sector partnerships.
“In implementing Nature-Based Solutions and carbon-related initiatives in Sabah, Sabah is committed to respecting lawful native customary rights and community interests,” she said.
Rosila said the Sabah Forestry Department had worked closely with relevant national agencies, international organisations, academic institutions and local stakeholders to strengthen technical capacity, develop scientific knowledge and mobilise resources for conservation and restoration efforts.
She said the Conservation Next approach represented a strategic evolution from traditional conservation approaches by positioning Sabah’s natural capital not only as an environmental asset but also as a driver of climate action, green investment, sustainable livelihoods and long-term economic resilience.
“Rather than viewing conservation solely as environmental protection, the Conservation Next Approach seeks to position Sabah’s natural capital as a driver of climate action, green investment, sustainable livelihood and long-term economic resilience,” she said.
She said Sabah aimed to align biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, climate adaptation and sustainable economic growth under a unified development framework.
Among the major NBS interventions are sustainable forest management, mangrove conservation, peatland ecosystem restoration and forest cover initiatives.
Rosila said SFM had been internationally recognised for Sabah’s commitment to sustainable forest management, including the adoption of certification schemes and long-term forest management planning.
Sabah had been implementing FMU or SFM since 1997, she said, adding that reducing forest degradation and promoting sustainable harvesting practices contributed to carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, watershed protection and ecosystem resilience.
Forest reserves managed under the SFM system continued to serve as important habitats while supporting economic activities and local livelihoods, while the integration of climate considerations into forest management planning further strengthened its role as a key component of Sabah’s NBS portfolio.
She said public-private partnerships also played a critical role in supporting Sabah’s commitment to sustainable forest management and long-term forest conservation.
On mangroves, Rosila said they provided critical ecosystem services supporting both climate mitigation and adaptation objectives.
Mangroves stored significant amounts of carbon in biomass and soil, often referred to as blue carbon ecosystems.
“Protecting existing mangrove forests and restoring degraded areas contribute directly to climate resilience while supporting coastal communities that depend on fisheries and other ecosystem services for their livelihoods,” she said.
She said Sabah Mangrove Action Plan (SMAP) 2024-2033 was launched in 2024 to transform mangrove management and conservation across the State.
On peatlands, she said they represented another important NBS opportunity, although they occupied a relatively smaller area compared with forests, accounting for about 7.8 per cent or approximately 200,000 hectares of Malaysia’s total peatland.
Peatland restoration contributed to emissions reduction, biodiversity conservation, water regulation and climate resilience, while supporting broader landscape-level conservation objectives by maintaining ecological connectivity and protecting sensitive ecosystems.
She said forest cover initiatives were an emerging area within Sabah’s climate and conservation strategy, aimed at quantifying, protecting and enhancing carbon stocks stored within forest ecosystems while generating measurable climate mitigation benefits.
Such projects could support avoided deforestation, forest restoration, improved forest management and long-term conservation, while also contributing to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem connectivity, watershed protection and community development.
