This chapter assesses forest and land-use governance in Sabah, Malaysia, through the lenses of effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. It examines how policies such as sustainable forest management (SFM), REDD+, certification schemes, and conservation initiatives have contributed to reducing deforestation and supporting climate mitigation. While a comprehensive legal and institutional framework exists, implementation outcomes are mixed due to economic pressures, political dynamics, and competing development priorities. The chapter highlights persistent challenges, including weak coordination, high implementation costs, and inequitable land tenure systems that marginalize Indigenous communities. It concludes that achieving sustainable and just forest governance requires stronger policy coherence, inclusive participation, and recognition of customary rights.
This work is licensed under CC-BY 4.0
This work is licensed under CC-BY 4.0
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Publication year
2026
Authors
Moeliono, M.; Bong, I.W.; Naito, D.
Language
English
Keywords
certification, climate change mitigation, deforestation, degradation, forest management, forestry policies, governance, land tenure, land use, land use planning, redd-plus, social forestry
Source
Forest Governance and Social Forestry in Sabah, Malaysia: Context, actors and institutions. CIFOR-ICRAF: Bogor, Indonesia and Nairobi, KenyaGeographic
Malaysia
