Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is the first region in the country to introduce Blue Economy which involves the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, to improve livelihood and create more high-paying jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.
This was revealed by Datin Dr Vijayalakshmi Samuel, a key Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) speaker at the “Opportunities & Solutions Powering the Future” seminar hosted by Sabah Credit Corporation (SCC) at its headquarters, here, Thursday.
Dr Vijayalakshmi said, “The concept of Sustainable Development was coined by the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’,” said Dr Vijayalakshmi.
“It encompasses three main pillars - economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. The State Government has introduced a key game-changer policy in relation to de-carbonisation, renewable energy and sustainability.”
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“In Sabah, we are committed to integrating ESG principles into our local governance, ensuring that our development is inclusive and sustainable, benefiting all Sabahan communities,” the Minister stressed in his speech.
SCC CEO George Taitim Tulas said: “We come from different backgrounds, various organisations, carrying out different functions. I believe that we share something in common, a desire to learn from one another and to stay up-to-date on how we can accomplish our goals towards Sustainable Development: Environmental, Social and Governance.”
Dr Vijayalakshmi noted that Sabah is also the first region in Malaysia to formulate its Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) enactment 2024 to generate green sustainable energy.
OTEC is a fascinating renewable energy technology that harnesses the temperature difference between the warm surface waters of the sea and the colder deep sea waters to generate electricity.
Sabah is positioning itself to become Malaysia’s leading producer of green technology through the development of OTEC as a cutting-edge initiative that harnesses the State’s vast Blue Economy resources.
Sabah has the highest potential for OTEC in Malaysia, with an estimated capacity of 20,000 megawatts.
This energy can be used not only for electricity but also for desalinating water and producing green hydrogen through electrolysis.
OTEC development will start around Tawau and Semporna, some 30km from Sabah’s coastline.
Dr Vijayalakshmi also lauded the Oil Palm Biomass Policy and the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan.
She recalled that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia has achieved 43 per cent of SDG indicators, which is far beyond the world average of 17 per cent, according to statistics from the National SDG Centre.
Sabah has contributed to this achievement in the protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources, social equity and economic growth.
“In line with Sabah’s Sustainability Roadmap, priority was given to climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as minimising the risks associated with disasters to ensure economic growth that is in harmony with the environment,” said Dr Vijayalakshmi.
“Climate change is a risk multiplier with 410,000 people killed by climate and weather-related disasters in the past 10 years.”
She noted that prolonged hot weather and drought pose a significant challenge for food production to ensure food security in Sabah.
The lack of rain and reduced water levels in streams, ranging from 10 to 40 per cent, affects agriculture, livestock farming, aquaculture and rubber production.
“Proactive risk management by Sabah will mitigate such risks and reduce the potential for disruptions.”
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