Sarawak Unveils Sustainability Blueprint 2030 to Spearhead Malaysia’s Green Economy Transition

KUCHING, Malaysia, June 2, 2025 – Sarawak has positioned itself at the forefront of Malaysia’s climate action with the launch of its Sustainability Blueprint 2030, a comprehensive policy roadmap designed to steer the state towards a low-carbon, inclusive, and sustainable future.

Unveiled by Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg at the recently concluded Asia Carbon Conference 2025 in Kuching, the blueprint marks Sarawak as the first Malaysian state to introduce a dedicated sustainability masterplan. Developed by the state’s Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, the framework is anchored on 10 strategic pillars, comprising 48 distinct strategies and 111 actionable initiatives.

“The Sarawak Sustainability Blueprint 2030 encompasses every facet of our sustainability agenda, designed to integrate green principles into the very fabric of our society and economy,” Abang Johari said in his keynote address, as reported by Bernama.

The blueprint outlines a multi-sectoral approach to sustainability, with a particular emphasis on accelerating renewable energy adoption, advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, enhancing forest and land conservation, and promoting circular economy practices in urban development.

Abang Johari highlighted that the roadmap is not only a declaration of intent but a “strategic guide” to facilitate Sarawak’s transition to a green economy while setting a benchmark for other states.

Among the blueprint’s notable targets is the publication of a comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory report by 2027. This will serve as a key mechanism to monitor the state’s emissions and ensure alignment with its carbon budget.

The premier also announced that the state government is in the final stages of completing a standalone carbon plan to support carbon market development in Sarawak.

“The carbon plan is pivotal. It will offer a detailed implementation framework designed to catalyse carbon trading and foster a vibrant carbon market,” he said. “Central to the plan is its focus on establishing a well-regulated and investor-friendly carbon market that balances supply and demand, thereby incentivising emissions reductions and attracting green investments to Sarawak.”

The blueprint additionally places significant emphasis on future-proofing Sarawak’s human capital. Through investment in education, research and skills development, the state aims to build a workforce capable of supporting green industries and driving innovation in sustainability.

By formalising a unified strategy and committing to transparent climate reporting, Sarawak’s Sustainability Blueprint 2030 is being hailed as a model for subnational climate leadership in Southeast Asia.