WWF-Malaysia urges candidates to commit to a Responsible Mining Framework and integrated land-use management amid growing mining pressures.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah | 27 November 2025 – As Sabah prepares for state elections this Saturday, WWF-Malaysia calls on aspiring leaders to uphold environmental integrity by embedding Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) principles into Sabah’s mining governance framework. The ESG ranking introduced by Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) earlier this year was a proactive step toward transparency and sustainability. Now, the challenge is to ensure these principles translate into enforceable safeguards under the next state government.

Mining, particularly minerals and metals, plays a central role in energy, infrastructure, and technological systems. WWF recognises the critical role that mineral resources play in the global efforts to meet climate and biodiversity goals under the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. However, Sabah’s leadership must acknowledge that mining is inherently extractive and finite, making strong governance essential to prevent irreversible harm. Responsible mining means identifying risks early, avoiding or minimising impacts, and ensuring remedy and compensation where needed.

Sabah is globally recognised for its exceptional biodiversity, with significant ecological areas falling under the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) and the Heart of Borneo (HoB). The Sabah Government has pledged to maintain 50% forest cover, designate 30% of its land as Totally Protected Areas (TPAs), and safeguard 15% of its marine environment through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). These commitments must remain non-negotiable under the incoming state leadership, serving as a testament to its role in ensuring that the people of Sabah continue to enjoy clean air, clean water, and thriving biodiversity in a healthy environment.

“The introduction of ESG principles in the mining sector is a welcome step toward improving accountability and sustainability,” said Dr Robecca Jumin, Head of Conservation (Sabah), WWF-Malaysia. “We urge all candidates to strengthen these principles with clear policies, inclusive governance, and science-based safeguards that protect Sabah’s forests and biodiversity.”

WWF-Malaysia advocates for responsible practices that support the energy transition, provided they adhere to strict environmental safeguards and avoid mining in Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

WWF acknowledges that the shift to a net-zero, nature-positive economy will require increased demand for certain minerals in the short term. However, this must go hand in hand with strategies to reduce overall material demand through circular-economy approaches, sufficiency, and efficiency. Mining must not drive further biodiversity loss or undermine the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Strong environmental and social safeguards, including Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), must be at the core of all mining-related decisions.

Mining activities must not lead to the irreplaceable loss or degradation of ecosystems—such as the lasting environmental damage seen at Mamut—which are critical for biodiversity, water regulation, and climate resilience. WWF does not support mining operations that result in the downgrading, downsizing, or degazettement of protected and conserved areas. Impacted areas must be prioritised for restoration, with ecological connectivity and ecosystem services fully considered. WWF-Malaysia advocates for responsible practices that support the energy transition, provided they adhere to strict environmental safeguards and avoid mining in Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

WWF-Malaysia urges all candidates and political parties to commit publicly to the following action:

• Define “Responsible Mining” in Sabah’s context, reflecting sustainability, transparency, and inclusivity.

• Develop a State Responsible Mining Framework aligned with ESG principles and biodiversity conservation goals.

• Ensure mining decisions comply with the Sabah Structure Plan 2033, particularly provisions on Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs).

• Mandate cost-benefit analyses and feasibility studies before approving any mining projects.

• Commit to full restoration of mining sites post-operation to rehabilitate ecosystems and support community resilience.

WWF-Malaysia welcomes the Sabah Government’s continued commitment to conservation and climate action, including the recent passing of the Sabah Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025. Future leaders must build on this momentum, ensuring that mining does not undermine climate targets or biodiversity goals.

Sabah stands at a crossroads. The decisions made after this election will determine whether development and conservation can truly go hand in hand. WWF-Malaysia calls on all candidates to champion policies that protect forests, empower communities, and secure a sustainable future for Sabah.

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About WWF-Malaysia

World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) was established in 1972 and is part of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the international conservation organisation. Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature, WWF-Malaysia’s efforts to conserve nature focus on six major themes: forests, oceans, wildlife, food, climate and energy, as well as freshwater. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

Find our latest news here: https://www.wwf.org.my/media_and_information/media_centre_and_updates/