KUCHING: The Sarawak government is committed to hydrogen as a solution to climate change, given its clean potential as a fuel for public transport, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said.
He, however, acknowledged that some are sceptical about hydrogen due to its high production costs.
"We are very convinced that the next fuel, throughout the world, will be hydrogen when the cost of production has gone down," he said at the Sarawak Forestry Corporation's (SFC) Excellence Service Awards last night.
We are currently in a transition stage, where research is being conducted to reduce the cost of hydrogen production," the premier said.
Abang Johari is upbeat that hydrogen will become the key fuel within five to 10 years.
"That is why we must position ourselves early by introducing a new law that gives Sarawak complete control over hydrogen," he added, referring to the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Ordinance passed last year, which made Sarawak the first state to legislate against climate change.
He said Sarawak needs to protect its forests as sources of sustainable supply of water, explaining the reason why the state government is giving emphasis to sustainability.
Abang Johari praised SFC for its efforts to work together with agencies that are also concerned with environment.
Earlier, SFC general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran said SFC has established the Climate Change and Corporate Sustainability (CCCS) Division to combat climate change and enhance corporate sustainability.
He said the division is focused on reducing carbon emissions across Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) and advancing environmentally and socially responsible practices.
He added the CCCS has already conducted carbon emissions accounting in key locations, including Bako and Niah National Parks, to support data-driven conservation strategies.