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Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is adopting a balanced growth model in addressing Sabah’s environmental and development issues, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said.

He said Sabah rejected both reckless development and environmental idealism that delayed progress, stressing that the state’s direction was growth with discipline, conservation with value, investment with responsibility, and an energy transition that is affordable and sustainable.

Speaking at the World Green and Sustainability Summit here on Monday, Hajiji said Sabah possessed strengths including rich biodiversity, vast land and maritime resources, energy potential, strategic positioning and a young generation prepared to shape the future economy.

He said Sabah had done well in protecting its forest reserves and biodiversity, with almost 30 per cent of its landmass placed under Totally Protected Areas, positioning the state as a leader in conservation and a destination for responsible and sustainable investment in Southeast Asia.

Hajiji said Sabah’s next phase of green growth involved building responsible industries around its resources through credible carbon markets, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, the blue economy, eco-tourism and biodiversity-based innovation, while ensuring sustainability policies remain practical, fair, affordable and beneficial to the people.