Sabah's Chief Minister said the state will not allow low-quality or unvetted carbon projects to reach market, citing the need to protect investor confidence and the region's reputation. The government is implementing the Sabah Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025, which clarifies state ownership of carbon rights and sets rules for approvals and credit trading. The state is building a portfolio across mangroves, agriculture, renewable energy, and carbon capture. Sabah already hosts Malaysia's first nature-based verified carbon credit project, the Kuamut Rainforest Conservation Project, expected to cut around 800,000 tonnes of CO2. Officials are calling on banks and exchanges to help finance credible projects ahead of 2030 climate targets.
