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(Photo: Sarawak Energy Berhad)
Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) has become the first major corporation in Malaysia to receive international recognition as the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) validates the state-owned energy firm’s near-term carbon emissions reduction target.
The endorsement emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and climate action. The approval target aimed for a 80.3% reduction in carbon intensity in both Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2030.
The power utility said, “This includes direct emissions from net energy generation and company-owned vehicles (Scope 1) as well as indirect emission from buildings and offices (Scope 2). Additionally, we pledge a 42% reduction in Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions from the use of sold products (category 11) by 2030, based on a 2021 baseline.”
SBTi is a partnership between Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and World Wide Fund for Nature.
It drives ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling companies to set science-based emission reduction targets. Its aim is to accelerate global efforts to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050.
Sarawak Energy, which generates and distributes electricity in Sarawak, was among 2,079 organizations worldwide granted the SBTi approval last year. The company owns and operates two major hydroelectric dams, the 2,400MW Bakun and 944MW Murum dams in the upper Rejang Basin in central Sarawak, and the 108MW Batang Ai hydro in Sri Aman Division.
According to Aisah Adenan, VP for corporate services, Sarawak Energy continues to advance hydropower, which predominantly contributes to the available generating capacity in Sarawak, powering residential, commercial, and industrial activities, and supporting the state’s economic growth strategy.
“As part of Sarawak’s transition to a low-carbon economy, this commitment aligns with our support for the Paris Agreement. We use SBTi to quantify emissions, better understand the group’s emissions performance, and develop an emissions reduction intervention action plan,” she said.
