Kota Kinabalu: The implementation of the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (Folur) Programme in Sabah has placed the State on the global map, alongside 27 other countries, under the international Folur initiative.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said through collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Folur project — centred on Integrated Landscape Management — covers an area of approximately 2.38 million hectares across 12 districts in Sabah, and is expected to benefit around 54,000 rural residents.
He said the Folur project is a significant step in Sabah’s efforts to strike a balance between agricultural development and environmental conservation, as the State moves towards a more sustainable, efficient and inclusive food system.
“This project promotes sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in the palm oil sector, while also restoring degraded forest areas. It allows us to reduce pressure on forest ecosystems while ensuring food security and income sources for the people of Sabah,” he said at the launch of the 2025 Sabah-level International Day of Forests at the grounds of the Faculty of Tropical Forestry, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Thursday.
His speech was delivered by State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe.
Hajiji said in the long term, this initiative will support climate goals, as forests play a vital role in combating climate change through carbon absorption. Folur will contribute to Sabah’s commitment to climate action, biodiversity conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15: “Life on Land.”
He added that the State Forestry Department is currently drafting a Statewide Forest Master Plan, which will outline strategies for managing forest resources over the next 25 years, covering forested areas throughout the State.
Through this plan, all Ecologically Sensitive Areas will continue to be protected, while socio-economic development that improves the well-being of Sabahans will also move forward.
This aligns with the implementation of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan 1.0 (2021–2025), which integrates infrastructure development with a focus on green growth.
Hajiji said the Sabah Climate Action Council (SCAC), established by the State Government, acts as an advisory body and serves as a platform for consultation and policy coordination related to climate change. Several key initiatives have already been implemented, including setting strategic directions and coordinating climate change mitigation and adaptation projects at the State level.
He added that given the forestry sector’s crucial role in addressing climate change, a Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Unit has been established within the Sabah Forestry Department.
“Through SCAC, Sabah continues to strengthen its position as a leader in progressive, sustainability-focused environmental governance,” he said.
Hajiji said a Climate Change Impact, Vulnerability and Adaptation Study was conducted in 2024, and this will serve as a reference for drafting the Sabah Climate Change Policy to ensure alignment with national climate action developments.
As a state with low carbon emissions, Hajiji said Sabah can leverage this position to venture into a low-carbon economy, as it has the potential to develop with minimal energy and resource requirements, thereby reducing its climate impact.
He also said Sabah is in the process of finalising its State Climate Change Policy, which is based on the principles of good governance, a just transition, resilience and sustainable economic growth, in line with Malaysia’s Climate Change Policy 2.0.
“In tandem with the development of this policy, Sabah will also be drafting a Climate Change Enactment to align with the development of the National Climate Change Bill (RUUPIN), which is currently being finalised at the federal level,” Hajiji said.
Touching on the recent amendments to the Forest Enactment, he said forest-based carbon activities will be regulated under specific terms and conditions, and any revenue or funds generated from forest carbon credit activities will be channelled directly to the State.
He said this is important to support the Sabah Government’s efforts in achieving a balance between socio-economic development and environmental conservation in the future.
Hajiji asserted that all climate change-related activities in Sabah, including carbon markets, must be registered, monitored, analysed and reported to SCAC, as the focal point for the State’s climate agenda. This ensures proper reporting to the State Government and equitable participation for Sabah.
