Kota Kinabalu: The State Government has allocated RM144.44 million in the 2024 Sabah Budget towards green initiatives aimed at achieving balanced developments with green sustainability elements.
State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the Environment Protection Department, with an allocation of RM7.81 million, will implement various activities and integrate sustainable environmental protection into all developments.
He said in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap’s green sustainability programme, priority will be given to climate change mitigation and adaptation actions, as well as to minimise the risks associated with disasters.
Such steps, he added, are to ensure economic growth that harmonises with environmental sustainability.
Masidi said RM126.79 million has been allocated to the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and Sabah Biodiversity Centre to manage and develop the State’s heritage.
“The Sabah Climate Change/Greenhouse Gas Unit has been established under the SFD with an allocation of RM3 million,” he said when tabling the 2024 State Budget at the State Assembly, Friday.
Masidi said the move was to support the Sabah Climate Action Council (SCAC) that was established to assist the State Government in setting directions and coordinating climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in Sabah.
“This unit will engage in initial tasks to lay the groundwork for developing climate change policies and carbon trading, as well as to assess the feasibility of all carbon-related projects in Sabah,” he said.
Additionally, Masidi said green sustainability principles must emphasise balance between developing Sabah’s sectors and reducing greenhouse emissions.
“This will contribute to the State-level Long-Term Strategy of Low Carbon Development, supporting the Government’s efforts to address climate change and its commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by year 2050,” he said.
Masidi stressed that the principles of sustainable development must be put into action in Sabah to support green growth initiatives aimed at enhancing economic resilience to climate change and calamities, adding that studies and action plans need to be implemented.
He said this also includes (1) preparing the Sabah State Environmental Indicator Report, (2) reviewing the Sabah Coastal Management Plan, (3) preparing guidelines for mining and quarry rehabilitation, and (4) conducting a slope stability study in Kundasang, Ranau.
Masidi said the Sabah Biotechnology Development Study will be completed next year in order to establish the Sabah Biotechnology Action Blueprint 2024-2034 which serves as a guide for systematic and sustainable biological resources exploration.
“Additionally, the Development of Forest-Based Recreation, such as Payments for Ecosystem Service and Carbon are alternative revenue sources that can be explored without compromising natural resources,” he said.
Meanwhile, Masidi was happy to announce that Sabah has made history upon the recognition of Kinabalu National Geopark as Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark at the Unesco General Assembly in May 2023.
“This prestigious recognition has positioned Sabah as one of the three Unesco Triple Crown sites, after Jeju Island, South Korea and Shennongjia, China. “Sabah’s participation in London World Travel Market 2023 also marked the debut of Sabah Unesco Triple Crown in the global stage,” he said.
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