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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

(Excerpt of paper authored by Pg. Shamhary Pg. Dato Paduka Hj. Mustapha and presented at The First Meeting of the BIMP- EAGA Working Group on Environmental Protection and Management, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 26-27 April 1995)

	INTRODUCTION
	Environmental infrstructure
1.	One of Brunei Darussalam's national development plan objectives is to have as well as maintain a clean and healthy environment. To achieve this and to improve the quality of life of the people, basic environmental infrastructure is a prerequisite.
2.	An example, is the need for an effective drainage system. In the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP, 1991-1995), a sum of B$105.6 million has been allocated for drainage improvements. An efficient sewerage system is also an integral factor to achieve a clean and healthy environment in light of urbanisation and increase in population. B$82.3 million have been allocated in the Sixth NDP for projects which aims at increasing coverage of trunk sewerage services and the construction of more Sewerage Treatment Works. Recently a vacuum sewage system has also been introduced in Kampung Ayer.
3.	In the management of solid waste efforts are being made to better coordinate the management, improve the system of refuse collection, increase coverage of refuse collection as well as to improve and increase the number of public facilities. Currently solid waste collection services are provided in the urban and urban fringe areas. An extensive communal bin system has been initiated to supplement the existing house to house collection services. The common disposal practice is the use of dump and fill method. The use of incinerators have been considered and may be introduced once feasible.
4.	Presently, there are no proper facilities for the disposal of most toxic wastes in Brunei Darussalam. Brunei Shell has its own procedure for management of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes. However, a proposal have been made for the provision of a new and improved oil treatment/recycling centre. It would be able to offer benefits, not least catering for the numerous small workshops and garages whom presently discharge significant quantities of waste oil into open drains and water courses.

	Industrial Pollution
5.	Estimated pollution load from industrial waste is low compared to that of domestic waste. All pollutive industries are required to adopt clean technology available. Brunei Darussalam's industrial activities have been dominated by the oil-based sector. Onshore and offshore oil field operations produce various types of liquid wastes. Other liquid wastes generated are comparatively insignificant in terms of volume or pollution load.
6.	Air pollution from industrial sources other than the petroleum industry appears to be negligible or highly localised at the moment. Air pollution from the oil and gas industry is minimised as the former promote clean burning of waste oil by mixing it with gas and flared. Further, sulphur content of the crude and refined oils are also low.
7.	Consistent with the stated policies and legislation of the Government, Brunei shell has formulated its own Environmental management Plan. The plan includes practices procedures and standards pertaining to air quality, water quality, and waste management. It also includes monitoring programmes, EIA procedures and environmental audits.
	Nature Conservation
8.	Brunei Darussalam's Fifth NDP introduced the Forest Conservation and Protection Policy that has designated the national forests into Conservation Forest, Protection Forest and Production Forest. This policy has taken into consideration the need to conserve and protect the tropical flora and fauna biodiversity of the Brunei forests. It also takes into consideration the need to protect the water catchment areas and promote replanting of wasteland. The rich tropical rainforest of Brunei Darussalam consists of seven major forest types.
9.	The coastal waters of Brunei Darussalam is also rich in aquatic life. The coral reefs and artificial reefs in Brunei waters provide fish habitats and support numerous marine life.
	Vehicle Population
10.	In Brunei Darussalam there is a high degree of dependency on private transportation. As mentioned above, sulphur content of gasoline and diesel fuels used in Brunei Darussalam is relatively low. In an effort to reduce lead emission, unleaded gasoline (ULG) was introduced in January 1993. It was reported that the level of usage after the first month was almost 70%. Based on the first month usage, the emission of inorganic lead into the environment from vehicles has been reduced approximately 20 tons/year. The recent increase in car import tax and efforts in improving public transport may help curb the increase in per capita car ownership.

	INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE
	National Committee on Environment
11.	Currently, no single agency in Brunei Darussalam has the sole responsibility for environmental matters, including enforcement of environment related laws. Such responsibilities are fragmented among different ministries, departments and units.
12.	As an effort towards better management of the environment an inter-agency National Committee on Environment chaired by the Minister of Development was established in 1993 with its own Secretariat the Environment Unit.
13.	The National Committee on Environment among others has the responsibility to look into environmental issues as well as review environment related legislation and advice on necessary environmental plans and guidelines. The Committee also promote the coordination of environmental policy formation and oversee the implementation of national environmental activities, legislation and policies pertaining to the environment.
14.	Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, on the other hand, apart from functioning as secretariat to the National Committee on Environment is also involved in policy development and guidance, responsible for regional and international environmental relations as well as to promote environmental awareness in the country.

	LEGISLATION
15.	As a general rule, environmental policies are usually promulgated as administrative orders. These, along with many of the existing laws, tend to be brief and general. Many of the environmental regulations appear as incedental provisions in sectoral legislaiton governing other areas. These regulation and act are inadequate in term of their scope and enforcement, nor they sufficient in-term of environmental management. No single coherent Act exists to harmonise the environmental protection efforts. As such, the provisions governing pollution and the environment are incomplete and piecemeal, and laws governing some types of pollution are non-existent. Many of the existing provisions also grant wide powers and authoruty to ministries and departments, leaving many issues to be determined at the discretion of administrators. Brunei Darussalam does not have specific laws requiring environmntal impact assessment (EIAs). However, environemental considerations are currently incorporated into development decision-making through land use planning and zoning requirement. New industries must submit plans indicating measures to be taken to alleviate environmental impacts. In addition, most of the existing environmental laws pre-date the current interest in environmental protection and have not yet been amended to incorporate modern environmental principles. One possible method to redress the above problems would be to enact comprehensive framework legislation on the environment. This has been done whereby a draft Environmental Order is being formulated which reflevt contemporary concerns like toxic and hazardous wastes management and the incorporation of obligations in international treaties like Basel Convention.

	STANDARDS
	Air Quality Standards
16.	At present Brunei Darussalam is yet to establish a comprehensive legislation which contains regulation and standards pertaining to protection and control of air quality. However, Brunei Darussalam has scheduled to set emission standards for proper enforcement by 1996. Currently, whenever required, internationally accepted standards are used as references e.g. WHO and ASEAN member countries.
	Water Quality Standards
17.	None of the laws of Brunei Darussalam on water quality and pollution specifically addresses the protection of water quality. Further, legally enforceable discharge standards are yet to be made under these laws. Currently, internationally accepted standards are used as references e.g. WHO and ASEAN member countries. Recommendations have been made for effluent/discharge standards which need to be reviewed together with classification of waters based on present and future uses.
	Vehicle Emission Standards
18.	As of late December 1993 all vehicles as part of the registration process are to be tested. The testing of gasoline vehicles include emission test for carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons at idle, and for diesel vehicle, a smoke test at free acceleration. Similarly, motorcycles are also tested for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon levels.

	PROGRAMMES AND STRATEGIES
	Ambient Air Quality
19.	Plans have been made by the Pollution Control Unit of the Medical and Health Department for two Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AAQMS) to be installed, one in the capital and the other in Belait District. The equipment intended to be installed in the proposed stations are capable of monitoring the required parameters continuously (24 hours monitoring). The Meteorological Services, Department of Civil Aviation also plans to expand their air pollution monitoring capabilities.
	Seventh National Development Plan
20.	For the coming Seventh National Development Plan (1996-2000), the National Committee on Environment are in the process of considering the proposed environment policy objectives and strategies. The proposed policy objectives are:-
	A. Maintain sustainable utilisation of natural resources;
	B. Minimise negative impacts on the environment arising from population growth and human activities;
	C. Balance socio-economic development objectives to ensure good quality environment.
21.	The proposed environment strategies include the following:-
	A. Improve Environment and Natural Resources Assessment and Information Database;
	B. Integrating Environmental Dimensions in Economic Planning and Development;
	C. Controlling Pollution;
	D. Improving Solid Waste Management;
	E. Protecting Vulnerable Ecosystems and Habitats;
	F. Improving Environmental Awareness and Education;
	G. Protecting Coastal and Marine Environmental Resources;
	H. Improve Working and Living Environments in Urban Areas.
22.	The Solid Waste Management Working Group was established by the National Committee on Environment in 1994 with the objectives to:-
	A. Establish a solid waste management strategy that will cater for the needs of all identified waste streams including - domestic waste, industrial wastes, commercial wastes, oily wastes, sewage sludge, hazardous wastes and clinical wastes.
	B. Formulate the necessary legal framework and enforcement system to harmonise, control and regulate these activities.
	C. Stimulate greater participation on the part of the private sector. The long term objective would be for waste management facilities to be owned and operated by contractors, while the Government would fulfil a monitoring and enforcement role.
23.	Members of the Working Group comprises of - Director of Technical Services PWD (Chairman), Environment Unit (Secretariat), Municipal Boards, District Offices, Medical and Health Department, Brunei Shell and Association of Surveyors, Engineers and Architects (PUJA).
	Water Resources Management Working Group
24.	The Solid Waste Management Working Group was established by the National Committee on Environment in 1994 with the following objectives:
	A. Establishment of environmental quality objectives and corresponding standards and monitoring requirements for the water resources of Brunei Darussalam.
	B. Establishment of a plan of action to mitigate adverse effects on Brunei Darussalam's water resources (present and future) with particular emphasis on the following critical activities - raw sewerage discharge from settlements; silt from land clearance; oily waste from workshops and filling stations; livestock and chemical wastes from agricultural development; discharges from industrial development and domestic discharges.
	C. Establishment of harmonised legal framework for water resource management.
25.	Members of the Working Group comprises of - Director of Drainage and Sewerage Services PWD (Chairman), Environment Unit (Secretariat), Medical and Health Department, Fisheries Department, Agriculture Department, Forestry Department, Industrial Unit and Brunei Shell.