Kuala Lumpur, 12 September 2025 — EXIM Bank Malaysia proudly announces that its collaborative Carbon Sink (C-Sink) project with Wild Asia Sdn Bhd has achieved certification under Carbon Standards International (CSI), the leading international standard for verified carbon removals. The certification audit was conducted by CERES (Certification of Environmental Standards), an accredited third-party verifier. This recognition makes EXIM Bank the first financial institution in Malaysia to support a C-Sink Project, and the issuance of C-Sink Carbon Removal Credits, setting a new benchmark for climate leadership in Malaysia’s finance sector.

Awarded on 28 May 2025 and valid until 31 December 2026, the certification confirms that the project meets stringent global requirements for carbon removal. It enables the issuance of verified C-Sink credits under CSI, representing measurable and permanent CO₂ sequestration achieved through artisanal biochar production. This nature-based solution not only locks carbon safely in soils but also enhances soil fertility, boosts farm resilience, and uplifts smallholder livelihoods.

From Biomass to Biochar: How the C-Sink Works

At the heart of EXIM Bank’s collaborative C-Sink project lies a simple yet powerful climate solution: biochar. Produced from agricultural biomass, biochar offers a transformative pathway to green Malaysia’s palm oil exports while delivering measurable climate, soil, and social benefits.

Through Wild Asia’s community-centred Centralised BIO Transformation Unit (CBTU) model, local communities in Sabah use Kontiki kilns, a low-tech, flame-cap system, to convert palm residues into biochar via pyrolysis, a controlled low-oxygen process that locks carbon into a stable form capable of remaining in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years. This process permanently removes CO₂ from the atmosphere. Instead of letting agricultural waste decompose and release methane and other greenhouse gases, biochar production captures and stores carbon safely in the ground, turning waste into a lasting climate asset.

This artisanal, decentralised approach empowers smallholder farmers to turn agricultural waste into a globally tradable climate asset. Once certified under Carbon Standards International (CSI) and verified by CERES, each tonne of biochar becomes the basis for C-Sink Carbon Removal Credits, recognised on international markets and meeting the highest integrity standards for carbon removals.

Blended with compost, this biochar is applied in smallholder farms, enhancing soil fertility, water retention, and crop resilience, while reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers. The Wild Asia CBTU model proves that credible, high-value carbon removals don’t have to come from high-tech, high-CAPEX industrial plants, they can be delivered by low-tech, low-cost, community-led projects with deep regenerative benefits.

Datuk Nurbayu Kasim Chang, President/Chief Executive Officer of EXIM Bank Malaysia said, “This certification is a major step forward in our commitment to sustainability and innovation. We are proud to be the first bank in Malaysia to support a certified carbon sink project. This initiative not only helps us meet our climate goals but also empowers smallholder farmers, creates green jobs, and builds a regenerative future for agriculture. We see immense potential to scale this model across the region and drive meaningful, lasting impact.”

Scaling Climate Action that is Community-Led 

EXIM Bank’s C-Sink partnership with Wild Asia, launched in late 2024 as a pilot, has now evolved into a certified, scalable model for delivering measurable climate and community impact. In August 2025, the project has generated its first 7 verified carbon credits, with the capacity to reach 100 credits annually.

This initiative forms part of Wild Asia’s SPIRAL programme, a long-term commitment to scaling regenerative agriculture through smallholder inclusion and value chain transformation. With an ambitious target of enabling over 1 million tonnes of verified carbon removals within the next decade, the programme is rooted in sustainable farming systems that regenerate soils, restore ecosystems, and uplift rural livelihoods.

While this milestone marks the beginning, it demonstrates that globally tradable, high-integrity carbon removal credits can be generated not from large industrial complexes, but from community-led, low-tech, low-capex solutions, a blueprint for climate action that is both equitable and scalable.

From just one CBTU, the project can remove up to 200 tonnes of CO₂ each year, with a projected increase to 300 tonnes by 2027. Each CBTU supports 33-50 hectares of farmland, engages up to 150 smallholder farmers, and generates carbon revenue that stays in local communities. More CBTUs mean more carbon removed, more land restored, and more livelihoods strengthened.

Dr Reza Azmi, Executive Director & Founder of Wild Asia said, “This certification validates years of work to build a farmer-centred model for carbon removal. Artisanal biochar production is not just a technical solution, it’s a community-led movement. With EXIM Bank’s support, we’ve proven that smallholder farmers can lead the way in climate action. This is carbon removal with integrity, rooted in local knowledge and global standards.”

Aligned with Malaysia’s Climate Vision

 The certified C-Sink project directly supports Malaysia’s 45% GHG reduction target by 2030 and the 2050 carbon neutrality goal under the 13^th Malaysia Plan. It advances the National Biomass Action Plan 2023–2030, which calls for building a strong national biochar ecosystem. The project reflects the Bank’s strategic commitment to regenerative finance and climate-positive development.

To further accelerate Malaysia’s green transition, EXIM Bank’s RM1.5 billion Green Sustainability-Linked Financing complements the project by supporting businesses that are driving low-carbon, climate-resilient growth. Paired together with the C-Sink initiative, this forms a powerful engine for climate action, community-led, innovation-driven, and aligned with national priorities.

For more information, visit www.exim.com.my or contact 03-2601 2089.

ABOUT EXIM BANK
Established on 29 August 1995, Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank) provides financing and advisory support to Malaysian businesses pursuing global ventures across diverse sectors. EXIM Bank fulfils its mandate to enhance the competitiveness of Malaysian industries internationally, offering comprehensive banking and insurance products.

Effective 1 May 2025, EXIM Bank became a subsidiary of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB).

ABOUT WILD ASIA
Founded in 2003, Wild Asia is a Malaysian social enterprise dedicated to building inclusive and biodiverse value chains in agriculture. Through its flagship programme, SPIRAL (spiral.wildasia.org), Wild Asia works with mills, traders, and communities to scale regenerative agriculture, strengthen smallholder livelihoods, and embed sustainability into global supply chains. SPIRAL’s long-term vision is to enable over 1 million tonnes of verified carbon removals through nature-based solutions, including artisanal biochar production, while restoring ecosystems and driving equitable rural development.