KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's palm oil industry has a vital responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the industry was supporting the country's goal of achieving net-zero emission by 2050 in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap.
"Sabah contributed 25.75 million tonnes of biomass from palm oil milling and plantation activities alone, providing a tremendous opportunity for renewable energy and innovation last year
"We introduced the oil palm biomass industry policy earlier this year that will soon regulate biomass export and production, ensuring that Sabah benefits from this valuable resource.
"We are confident that with strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors, we can further position Sabah as a global leader in sustainable palm oil production," he said in a speech at the World Palm Oil Conference 2024 at a hotel here.
The speech was read out by deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
The chief minister also called upon all stakeholders, investors, businesses and policymakers to join the state government in making Sabah the global hub for sustainable palm oil production.
"By investing in downstream processing, adopting advanced technologies and upholding the highest sustainability standards, we can ensure that this vital industry continues to thrive while contributing to a greener, more prosperous future for all," he said.
Hajiji Noor said the industry was the most significant export commodity, contributing 22 per cent or RM6.22 billion to the state revenue from 2018 to last year.
He added Sabah, as a powerhouse in Malaysia's palm oil industry, was aware of the challenges to ensure that the industry remained relevant in the future.
"Hence, the government needs to be ready and must introduce innovative approaches to help the industry achieve and meet the national and international certification requirements," he said.