DAVOS: Datuk Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan today called on global investors to explore emerging investment opportunities in Sabah, particularly in conservation, green energy and nature capital, as the world accelerates its transition away from fossil fuels and environmentally harmful industries.
Speaking to an international group of investors at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Dr. Jeffrey said the global investment trend is increasingly focused on combating carbon emissions, expanding green energy, and adopting circular economic practices to address climate change.
He said Sabah offers significant potential in these areas, including opportunities within the Blue Economy, Green and Nature Capital Economy and sustainable food production.
Dr. Jeffrey highlighted that the Sabah Government had earlier taken a strategic decision to set aside two million hectares of forest for a 100-year conservation period. This initiative was aimed not only at protecting the environment and mitigating climate change, but also at generating long-term carbon credit income for the State.
However, he emphasised that investors should go beyond carbon markets.
“Investment in nature capital creates greater long-term value and income potential, while at the same time sustaining life on this planet,” he said.
Dr. Jeffrey noted that the contribution of nature capital to the global economy is estimated to range between USD125 trillion and USD140 trillion annually, a fact that remains poorly understood by many.
He also stressed the critical role of the Borneo rainforest in regulating regional and global climate systems, stating that Australia’s rainfall and river systems depend significantly on the continued existence of Borneo’s forests.
Dr. Jeffrey further encouraged investors to consider innovative financial instruments such as green coins backed by nature capital and supported by proper regulatory frameworks. Such initiatives, he said, should not be driven solely by profit, but by a shared responsibility to safeguard the planet for future generations.-pr/BNN
