Sabah has the areas for carbon trading projects, says forests' chief conservator

 By Olivia Miwil - August 24, 2023 @ 6:10pm

Sabah Forestry chief Datuk Frederick Kugan (right) after the closing of Heart of Borneo conference at Sabah International Convention Centre here. -NSTP/RAFIQAH DAHALI

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has the areas for the purpose of carbon trading, says its chief conservator of forests Datuk Frederick Kugan.

"We do have areas for the purpose (of the carbon trading project), but it depends how they want to develop the concept and the narrative in terms of the areas protected in the long run.

"When we talk about carbon projects, one must ensure additionality," he said, adding that various models, intervention and approaches would have to be considered for the project to take off.

Frederick was speaking to reporters after the closing ceremony of the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Initiative Conference at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.

Yesterday, WWF-Malaysia had asked the Sabah government to pinpoint designated areas in the 100-year Nature Conservation Agreement, which will initially cover 600,000 hectares of land.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO) had also questioned the additionality in Trusmadi, where the forest reserves would not fulfil the criteria of additionality.

Frederick also said today that Sabah is optimistic about getting 30 percent of 2.2 million hectares in the state gazetted as total protected areas.

As of now, Sabah has achieved 27 per cent or 2 million hectares.

By exploring conservation areas managed by communities and private sectors, he said the state could easily hit the target.

As for next year's HoB conference, Frederick said the theme would be centred on issues related to the borders.

"It is very important which is in line with the transboundary cooperation with neighbouring countries. I think it is timely that we link up with Kalimantan and neighbouring states," he added.