KUCHING: The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak convened a Stakeholder Engagement Session to introduce the forthcoming ‘Guidelines for the Qualifications and Registration of Accredited External Auditors Rules 2025’, a pivotal regulatory framework set to take effect on 1 May 2025.

Held at the RAIA Hotel & Convention Centre on Wednesday, the session gathered representatives from the energy and oil and gas industries, auditing firms, and key strategic partners.

Also present during the event were Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak, Datu Jack Liam, Chief Executive Officer of SAINS, Busiai Seman, and Elizabeth Dato Nyomek from the Sarawak Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty).

The engagement marked a crucial step in the implementation of the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023, which came into force on 1 March 2024.

According to NREB Sarawak in a statement, the ordinance mandates business entities operating within scheduled economic sectors to submit annual carbon emissions reports, each of which must be verified by accredited external auditors in accordance with Section 6(3) of the Ordinance.

Therefore, it said the Qualifications and Registration of Accredited External Auditors Rules 2025 outline stringent accreditation requirements for external auditors, including eligibility criteria, required qualifications, procedures for registration and renewal, as well as the duties and responsibilities auditors must uphold to ensure integrity in the carbon reporting process.

In line with this, NREB Sarawak expressed its commitment to continue stakeholder engagement to ensure its regulatory frameworks are both practical and impactful, as Sarawak continues to lead the way in advancing environmental sustainability initiatives.

“The primary objective of the session was to not only clarify the key requirements but also to actively engage stakeholders by seeking their feedback, addressing concerns, and gaining valuable perspectives.

“These contributions are critical in ensuring that the guidelines are practical, effective, and fair, ultimately supporting the successful implementation of the Ordinance,” it said.

Meanwhile during the event, participants were also given a live demonstration of the Greenhouse Gas Management System (GHG-MS) prototype developed by SAINS.

The digital platform is designed to streamline registration and renewal processes for both businesses and auditors. -UKASnews