Team and PETRONAS Join Forces to Launch Blue Carbon Collective

It will also build upon the ongoing co-operation between the University of São Paulo (USP) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), fostering collaboration and resource sharing between two countries in the southern hemisphere – Malaysia and Brazil.

The five-year collaboration is expected to generate vital research data to advance carbon emissions reduction strategies, help conserve mangroves, and create local job and business opportunities.

Toto said: “We are in the business of sustainable high performance and the ways in which we push boundaries in our world is underpinned by research and innovation.

“We are pleased to contribute to this important South-South study which will help to advance the global understanding of blue carbon and the role mangroves can play in nature-based climate solutions.

“This latest project with our title and technical partner PETRONAS is a testament to our shared long-term commitment to create a positive impact, driving sustainable growth that benefits the environment and wider society.”

PETRONAS President and Group CEO Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik added: “Together with our partners, we believe that the Blue Carbon Collective is an important research initiative that enables the global community to further unlock the potential of mangroves in mitigating risks of climate change.

“As PETRONAS launches its new nature targets, this initiative will also help enhance our collective understanding of efforts related to biodiversity even as we work towards creating a net positive impact in our projects and undertakings.”

This initiative also reinforces and strengthens the sustainability intent of the partnership between PETRONAS and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, not only on the racetrack but also off the track towards achieving our shared net zero ambitions.

The Blue Carbon Collective aims to deliver several research objectives including identifying the impact of land use changes, understanding carbon stabilisation mechanisms, and developing and applying a soil quality index.

The project also supports Yayasan PETRONAS’ One Million Trees Programme – an ecosystem restoration and community development initiative that will see 100,000 mangrove trees planted in the Sungai Santi Forest Reserve in Johor, Malaysia, to rehabilitate degraded areas. To date, 20,000 mangrove seedlings have been planted by the local communities.

The ongoing co-operation between USP and UPM will support UPM to conduct research in the Sungai Santi Forest Reserve and apply established methodologies from Brazil.

These include carbon stock assessment and monitoring of soil quality and ecosystem health in Malaysia, enabling comparative analysis between the two countries.

Today’s announcement took place at the inaugural Energy and Nature Forum, hosted by PETRONAS in Kuala Lumpur, which aims to put a spotlight on the intersection of energy and nature by bringing together global leaders from both fields.

Alice Ashpitel, Head of Sustainability for our team in Brackley, was in attendance, along with representatives from all parties involved with the Blue Carbon Collective.