KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's proactive environmental policies reflect the state's commitment to sustainable development and have set a standard for others to follow.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the Sabah State Policy on the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Environment Protection Enactment 2002 serve as critical frameworks guiding the state's commitment to conservation and sustainability.
"The environment is an integral part of and strategic pillar of sustainable development, which requires the adoption of appropriate policies incorporating environmental factors and standards into all development activities to maintain environmental and social sustainability," she said during the National Environment Day 2024 celebration at a hotel here last night.
Emphasising shared responsibility in environmental management, Liew said: "As we all know, environmental management is a shared responsibility, and the practice of creating the balance between development and environmental protection is more crucial now than ever."
She added the Environment Protection Department has also established guidelines on Environmental Self-Regulation and Standard Operating Procedures, intended to help project proponents meet compliance standards and integrate environmental considerations from the start.
"The main aim is to minimise the project's impact on the environment, enhance sustainability, and meet regulatory requirements without external enforcement," she said.
Meanwhile, she also highlighted the success of key environmental initiatives, such as the Sekolah Rakan Alam Sekitar programme, which promotes sustainability at local, national, and international levels.
Schools like SM St Michael Penampang and SM St Patrick Tawau have won accolades, including the Asean Eco-School Awards and Anugerah Sekolah Lestari at the Malaysian level.
Recent national awardees include Jennifer Asing, awarded the Langkawi Award, SM St Patrick Tawau for Sekolah Lestari, and Majlis Daerah Beaufort for special recognition.
The Air Quality Monitoring System Project was also noted for its innovative local air quality monitoring in schools, engaging communities in environmental monitoring through a dedicated website.