Environmental Policies

 

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS

In our drive to achieve a wider based economy, the Government is actively promoting more industrial activities but not at the expense of the environment.

Environmental policy directions and strategies are included in the Five Year National Development Plans (NDP), where the Government has continued to address the need to protect and conserve the country’s environment from pollution and excessive exploitation of natural resources.

At the same time, efforts have been undertaken to strengthen existing administrative machinery. In particular, the National Committee on Environment and the Environment Unit has been established for the purposes of coordinating environmental programmes and activities.

NDP- POLICY OBJECTIVES

The Fifth National Development Plan (1986-1990), the first plan since independence has set the following environment related objectives:

1. To improve the quality of life of the people
2. To maximise the economic utilisation of national resources
3. To foster a more disciplined, self-reliant and caring society
4. To have a clean and healthy environment.
   

NATIONAL FORESTRY POLICY

In this regard, emphasis was given towards environmental conservation and protection through the National Forestry Policy which, amongst others, takes into account the need to conserve and maintain the nation’s biodiversity heritage. This Policy has also taken into consideration the need to protect water catchments areas and to prevent erosion and flooding.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

The Sixth National Development Plan (1991-1995) embraced the concept of sustainable development as central to socio-economic development. In this regard, environmental aspects are given greater consideration in the development planning process and project implementation.

Environment related policy objectives in the Sixth National Development Plan are:

1. To further accelerate human resources development
2. To widen the economic base and create a favourable climate for industries
3. To sustain the development of the oil/gas industry
4. To maintain a clean and healthy environment.
   

The main environmental issues addressed in the Sixth National Development Plan include: Environmental Conservation and Protection, Solid Waste Management; Water and Air Pollution.

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY

The Seventh National Development Plan (1996-2000) proposes to further enhance environmental protection components. The introduction and implementation of the National Environment Strategy will give sharpened focus to these efforts.

Emphasis will also be given towards the concept of sustainable development. Towards this goal, Brunei’s vision with regard to the environment is "Towards a Better Quality Environment". This vision can be met with the following objectives in mind:

1. Maintain sustainable utilisation of natural resources
2. Minimise negative impacts on the environment arising from population growth and human activities
3. Balance goals of socio-economic development and the need to sustain sound environmental quality

THE STRATEGIES

To achieve these environmental objectives, the environmental policy directions and strategies are as follows:-

1. raise environmental consciousness
2. integrate environmental dimensions in economic planning and development
3. improve environment and natural resources assessment and information database
4. strengthen urban and rural environmental improvement programmes
5. enhance environmental quality
6. protect vulnerable ecosystems, habitats and biodiversity
7. protect coastal and marine environmental resources
8. strengthen regional and international cooperation.