New agreement sees Birmingham climate change experts working with their counterparts in Borneo to explore the potential for major forest experiments.
Professor Robin Mason and Datuk Dr Rafiq Idris of UCSF (on screen) during the online signing session together with other senior officials of both institutions.
The University of Birmingham and the University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) have forged ties to create new opportunities exploring how forest ecosystems will behave in in the future as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise.
Professor Robin Mason, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of Birmingham joined UCSF Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr Rafiq Idris by video link to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU will see Birmingham climate change experts working with their counterparts in Borneo to explore the potential for major forest experiments and to investigate how the island’s forests respond to pressures cause by climate change – particularly in relation to biodiversity.
The partners will explore opportunities to develop a global research and education centre around forestry management and biodiversity focussed on the needs of the people and nature of Sabah State and beyond.
As we prepare to contribute to the global discussion on climate change at COP 30 later this year, we look forward to developing our partnership with University College Sabah Foundation in Borneo – pushing forward the boundaries of global forestry research and adding to our understanding of the impact of elevated carbon levels on the world’s forests.
Their partnership also aims to establish knowledge-exchange initiatives around energy infrastructure optimisation and decarbonisation - particularly related to sustainable energy derived from biomass sources.
Professor Robin Mason commented: “The University of Birmingham has an excellent track record in this space – particularly in relation to research at our own large-scale Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) facility and its counterpart in the Amazon.
“As we prepare to contribute to the global discussion on climate change at COP 30 later this year, we look forward to developing our partnership with University College Sabah Foundation in Borneo – pushing forward the boundaries of global forestry research and adding to our understanding of the impact of elevated carbon levels on the world’s forests.”
Development of the partnership has been supported by UK-Malaysia strategic business advisers WIPPD. Initial discussions between the partners will get to grips with Sabah State’s energy priorities, as well as exploring opportunities for educational and training initiatives.
Datuk Dr Rafiq Bin Idris commented: "This collaboration marks a significant milestone for UCSF’s partnership with the University of Birmingham. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing research and innovation. UCSF with other stakeholders will work together to participate and support in this global forestry and carbon research wherever possible. By working together, we aim to strengthen collaboration, enrich learning experiences and conduct research in strategic areas of mutual interest. We are happy to formalise this relationship through the signing of this MoU.”
Mature forests are recognised as medium-term (decades long) carbon stores and natural climate solutions. The long-running FACE experiment at the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR), in central England, has contributed significantly to increasing global understanding of how forests may behave in response to changes in atmospheric carbon levels.
FACE experiments mimic future atmospheric composition and provide valuable data on interaction between forests, atmosphere, and climate. In 2017, researchers at BIFoR established the long-term FACE experiment in a 180-year-old deciduous woodland dominated by 26-m tall English (or ‘pedunculate’) oak trees - six 30 metre diameter plots, three exposed to elevated CO2 with the other three plots acting as a control. The southeast Asian rainforests are one of the most important ecosystems for which a FACE experiment has yet to be attempted.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International)
Profile of Professor Robin Mason, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International)
