On April 28, the Malaysian state of Saba officially announced that it has become a carbon negative state, meaning it absorbs more carbon than it emits. This discovery marks a significant step towards enhancing the state's position in global carbon financing markets and reflects its commitment to addressing climate change.
The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Datuk Cesar Mandela Malakun, stated that this status was confirmed through studies conducted by the local government under the supervision of the Saba Climate Action Council. These studies included assessments of climate change risks and a greenhouse gas emissions report for Saba in 2024, the first of its kind at the state level in Malaysia.
Event Details
These studies are considered a milestone in the state's climate and economic planning. The local government provided a comprehensive understanding of emission levels across various economic sectors. These studies confirmed that Saba is indeed a carbon negative state, representing a significant contribution to the national climate agenda.
Saba benefits from its vast forests and natural ecosystems, which contribute to carbon absorption. This status is seen as a competitive advantage amid the increasing rewards from global markets for carbon capture through carbon credits and sustainable investments.
Background & Context
Saba is one of the most vulnerable states to the impacts of climate change in Malaysia, making planning for adaptation a priority. The Saba Climate Action Council was established in 2022 and is responsible for coordinating climate actions across various agencies and developing mitigation and adaptation plans.
The Carbon Governance and Climate Change Act of Saba for 2025 was also passed, establishing the legal framework for regulating carbon-related activities in the state. Under this law, all carbon-related projects must include the approval of local communities, including indigenous groups, and incorporate benefit-sharing mechanisms.
Impact & Consequences
Saba is now moving towards transforming this advantage into organized policies and economic opportunities while safeguarding the interests of the environment and local communities. This includes consultations with local communities before approving any carbon-related project, ensuring that activities are not carried out without the involvement of indigenous communities.
These steps are essential to ensure that the interests of local communities, including traditional communities, are part of the implementation of carbon projects. Saba also plans to establish a carbon emissions registration and storage center, which will oversee the implementation of the law and serve as the main registry for carbon projects and emissions data.
Regional Significance
The experience of Saba serves as a model for Arab countries facing similar challenges in climate change. Arab nations can benefit from this experience in developing effective strategies to adapt to climate changes and enhance environmental sustainability.
Strengthening regional cooperation in climate matters can contribute to achieving sustainable development goals and enhance the capacity of Arab countries to address environmental challenges.