Sarawak eyes hydrogen from cow dung as part of bold circular green economy plan
KUCHING – Sarawak is exploring the use of cow dung as a source of hydrogen fuel in a move to strengthen its circular green economy and waste-to-value strategy, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed today.
Speaking at the launch of the state-level International Day of Forests (IDF) 2025 at the Forest Research Centre here, Abang Johari said the initiative aligns with Sarawak’s long-term push to monetise waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“If there are many cows, there will be a lot coming out of the cows. What comes out contains hydrogen because it produces methane, and from that, hydrogen can be extracted,” he said.
He described the approach as an example of Sarawak’s waste-to-wealth philosophy, which he had recently shared with leaders at the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. “Don’t waste the waste — monetise the waste,” he said, adding that the phrase has since been adopted as a key sustainability branding message.
Abang Johari also highlighted a RM30 million pilot project in Lubok Antu with the Sarawak Land Custody and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) to extract biomass and biofuel from palm oil kernel waste. “When we break the kernel, it produces biomass which we can use for animal feed,” he explained. “Early trials with cattle and goats show that local feed from palm waste can support healthy livestock growth. At present, our animals are thin and expensive. During Hari Raya Korban, one cow can cost up to RM12,000. By producing our own feed, we can support the livestock sector and reduce costs.”
He said the same waste material could also be converted into biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as part of Sarawak’s broader plan to move away from raw commodity exports and towards value-added production.
The Premier linked these green economy efforts to the IDF 2025 theme, “Forests and Food”, stressing the importance of forest conservation and sustainable resource management. He praised the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) for planting over 50 million trees, surpassing its original 35 million target. He also expressed keen interest in the department’s use of 3D data technology to map forest health and tree species, which could position Sarawak as a player in international carbon trading.
“Every tree species has a different carbon absorption capacity. If you can identify these using technology, you can calculate total carbon absorption, which is the basis for carbon pricing,” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s environmental policies are rooted in the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which balances economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability. The state’s hydrogen and green economy strategies have earned international recognition, with Abang Johari recently returning from a global hydrogen conference in Tokyo. Sarawak has also been invited to present its sustainability blueprint at the World Economic Forum in Davos next year.
“In Tokyo, our work in green energy and environmental management was acknowledged,” he said. “We were told we would be invited to Davos after missing a previous engagement in Tianjin.”
The Premier ended with a warning about the consequences of unchecked climate change, pointing to extreme weather events across the globe. “If we cannot manage our environment with sustainability as the foundation, the world’s temperature will rise. Humans cannot survive at 43°C, 46°C or 48°C. This is a threat to the entire human race,” he said.
Abang Johari stressed that Sarawak’s development must always strike a balance with environmental protection to safeguard its people and future generations.
