Introduction
While Brunei only accounts for about 0.025% of global carbon emissions, it is susceptible to several environmental effects due to climate change. The major threats are air pollution in the cities, rising sea-level, and loss of biodiversity. A rise in sea level is a major issue to this small nation of around 470,000 due to Brunei’s low-lying terrain. Brunei is also heavily reliant on fossil fuels, both as a major exporter and as a main source of energy within the country. If the rest of the world moves away from fossil fuels, especially crude oil, Brunei Darussalam will lose over ⅔ of its gross domestic product growth.
Brunei Darussalam’s carbon dioxide emissions have hovered around 17 million tons of CO2 in the past decade. Under a Business-As-Usual scenario, Brunei would emit 30 million tons of CO2 in 2035. Equally concerning is Brunei’s per capita emissions of about 16 tons per person while neighboring Malaysia’s per capita emissions is at 4 tons per person. Brunei, however, has made great strides in protecting its forests, with 44% of the country’s land area is protected forests, including two National Parks and 47 forest reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
Brunei Darussalam’s approach to climate change in the early 2000s was minimal despite ratifying UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol in 2009. In the 2010s Brunei’s government began taking larger steps towards climate action including establishing the National Council on Climate Change in 2011 and creating the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy (BNCCP) in 2020. This article elaborates on Brunei’s current climate change plans and the roles of civil society.
Comprehensive National Plan, Effective Implementation
Brunei Darussalam’s climate policy fits into its larger national development plan, the Wawasan Brunei 2035 (Brunei Vision 2035). The Wawasan Brunei 2035 works to build the nation, from reducing poverty to increasing the quality of life. In protecting its quality of life, a clean and healthy environment must be guaranteed. Sustainable, balanced economic growth will ensure environmental and ethical protections while creating better lives for its citizens. The plan combines top-down and bottom-up approaches to change, which provide a more well-rounded approach to social, economic, and environmental change. A recent incorporation is the BNCCP.
The BNCCP contained several key strategies for a sustainable Brunei: 1) reduce overall industrial emissions, 2) increase forest cover by planting 500,000 new trees, 3) increase electric vehicle ownership by 60% by 2035, 4) increase renewable energy capacity to 30% of total power generated, 5) reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% through better electricity management, 6) create a carbon pricing model, 7) reduce municipal waste, 8) mandate monthly and annual carbon reporting, and 9) increase awareness and education on climate change. The BNCCP also establishes three working groups for Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience, and Support Framework. These working groups can focus on their respective issues as part of a more comprehensive network of climate action. With such a comprehensive and well-rounded plan, Brunei is likely can not only effectively implement the ten key strategies but also honour its commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030. This includes reductions in carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions.
Additionally, Brunei Darussalam is over 71% forests, giving it a unique position to preserve wildlife while reducing the effects of climate change. In 2018 alone, 11.4 Mt CO2 emission was absorbed by the country’s forests. If Brunei was to continue to protect its remaining forests, it can protect biodiversity, reduce net carbon emissions, and mitigate against the effects of climate-related natural disasters.
Thriving Civil Society Engagements in Brunei
There are many non-governmental and grassroots organizations within Brunei that work to achieve climate action; Sustainable Development Goal 13. Hearteningly, Brunei’s environmental initiative is largely run by young people who are looking to build a better Brunei. Additionally, as with any nation, many Bruneians have taken individual action to combat climate change, from participating in beach clean-ups to planting trees or reducing food waste.
Schools and youth groups are also helping to build on Brunei’s BNCCP that included climate change education in its plan. For example, local schools create projects to study the impacts of climate change and individual action. Collectively, these contribute to providing an academic structure for students to be involved in climate change mitigation.
Given Brunei’s small size, there is a heavy dependence on imports for nearly every sector. Additionally, as most of Brunei is covered in forests, it does not produce enough food to support its own population. To address this issue, there is a growing sustainable food movement in Brunei. One example is Kilang ReRoot.
Kilang ReRoot is a zero-food waste project that works to develop and implement sustainable practices for farming in Brunei. While it is part of a larger eco-friendly lifestyle movement, Kilang ReRoot supports the BNCCP and Brunei Vision 2035. The founders of Kilang ReRoot were inspired into action after the COVID-19 pandemic revealed Brunei’s dependence on global food chains. Food-based activist groups like Kilang ReRoot address the critical need for a more diverse food economy in Brunei.
As climate change mitigation also requires community involvement, non-profits such as Hand4Hand Brunei and Society for Community Outreach and Training are focused on community development. By inculcating a spirit of volunteerism, Brunei will have a ready base of passionate citizens working together to overcome this existential threat. However, while Brunei strives to be more self-sufficient, it must continue to work closely with neighbouring nations.
Looking to the Future
Brunei Darussalam is currently in a unique position to combat climate change. The country’s wealth and stability allow for the possibility of great change though the country will continue to remain vulnerable to climate change and its associated issues. The country’s dependence on fossil fuels for income and for energy also means that it is vulnerable to global shifts away from fossil fuels. Additionally, despite Brunei’s comprehensive national climate plans, the country needs to address its dependence on behaviours that contribute to climate change. This can be bolstered by Brunei protecting most of its natural resources. This would help the country meet its new emissions goals. Lastly, civil society engagements in Brunei, especially from youth-led groups, will not only bolster the actions taken through the BNCCP but also empower future generations.
