KOTA KINABALU: April 28, 2026
The Sabah Climate Change Action Council (SCAC) is advancing key environmental policies, legislation and institutional frameworks to strengthen the state’s response to climate change, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said.
He said the council, approved by the State Cabinet in 2022, has undertaken two major environmental studies — a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and the Sabah Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report 2024 — the first subnational report of its kind in Malaysia.
“The findings provide, for the first time, a comprehensive understanding of emission levels across various economic sectors and confirm Sabah’s status as a carbon-negative (net sink) state,” he said, responding to a question from Sook Assemblyman Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly sitting.
Hajiji said the studies led to the formulation of climate legislation, culminating in the passage of the Sabah Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025 in July last year to strengthen environmental governance.
He said SCAC plays a central role in coordinating climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, including setting direction for environmental action, aligning state initiatives with national climate policies, and facilitating cross-agency collaboration.
Hajiji said mitigation and adaptation plans are being developed with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), based on vulnerability assessments, as Sabah remains among the regions most exposed to climate change impacts.
He added that efforts are underway to strengthen the capacity of relevant agencies in collecting GHG inventory data to ensure accurate environmental reporting in line with national commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
“At the same time, Sabah-specific variables are being identified to improve the accuracy of future GHG inventories, while the council continues evaluating mitigation initiatives and carbon-related projects,” he said.
Hajiji said that following the gazettement of the 2025 enactment, the State Government will establish the Sabah Climate Registration and Inventory Centre (SaCRIC) to oversee environmental compliance and regulate carbon-related activities.
He said regulations are being drafted to operationalise the centre, which will support monitoring, reporting and enforcement of climate-related measures.
“The council will also serve as the apex body in formulating the State Climate Change Policy, aligned with Sabah’s ecological context, while ensuring consistency with national frameworks through close cooperation with the National Designated Authority,” he said.
He added that this includes coordination in environmental reporting, access to climate financing and compliance with Malaysia’s commitments under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
