Sabah slows carbon market push, sets strict rules to avoid speculation and protect communities

Sabah's Chief Minister Hajiji Noor says the state won't rush carbon projects or allow speculative trading, citing the need to protect investor confidence and native communities. The state has passed the Sabah Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025, which establishes government ownership of carbon rights and a approval process through the Sabah Climate Change Action Council and a new registry. Sabah already has Malaysia's first nature-based verified carbon credit project, the Kuamut Rainforest Conservation Project, which covers 83,381 hectares and aims to cut CO2 emissions by about 800,000 tonnes. The state is also exploring carbon credits from blue economy, agriculture, renewable energy, and carbon capture and storage. Sabah says it is a carbon-negative state and wants to expand solar, hydro, and biomass by 2030, though specific targets aren't given.