I attended the recent National Environment Conference organized by Asia Inc at Rizqun International Hotel. At the event the Minister of Development highlighted 4 elements that are needed for a successful journey towards a sustainable country. The elements were:
1. Measurements
2. Research
3. Civil Society
4. Government role
I fully agree with the elements described by the Minister and would like to further highlight the same elements are described by Mr. Blackburn in his book 'The Sustainability Handbook'.
In terms of 'Measurements', Mr. Blackburn describes in Chapter 7 - Selecting Goals and Indicators. He describes why goals and other indicators fail to deliver performance. He also describes the benefits and purposes of measurable goals. In the already complex world that we live in he also helps to depict the relationship amongst goals, metrics, objectives, targets and indicators. He also shares with us 3 types of indicators: Metric indicators; Initiative Indicators and Descriptive Indicators.
He also mentions other types of indicators such as 'Condition Versus Performance Indicators', 'Leading Versus Lagging Indicators' and 'Absolute Versus Ratio Metrics'.
All of the above, I strongly believe will enable us to better understand our efforts to establish measurements which are better understood, more focused and hence will contribute towards the establishment of a coordinated policy which can connect the other 3 elements for a Sustainable Country.
The second element mentioned by the Minister was on 'Research'. I believe this can go hand in hand with the Government's role (which is the 4th element) in introducing the 3 environmentally related legislation, i.e.:
1. Environmental Pollution Control Order
2. Environmental Impact Assessment Order
3. Hazardous Waste (Control of Export, Import and Transit) Order
Based on the United Nations University - Environmental Impact Assessment open course module, (google the term and you'll find the link), the Environmental Impact Assessment Order can open the opportunity for research connecting initiatives that can improve coordination from a policy standpoint towards Brunei achieving our Wawasan Brunei 2035 - environmental strategy.
Touching on my previous blogs regarding the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development Indicators (UNCSD) indicators, there is an opportunity for research to show how Impact Assessments can be used as a tool that can be reflected in the indicators and can be substantiated as a measure via the UNCSD indicators / themes. This can enable policy - makers to use information derived from Impact Assessments via the UNCSD themes / indicators, as a 'Sustainability Compass' to guide us towards achieving the environmental strategy under Wawasan Brunei 2035.
What does the environmental strategy state, according to the Brunei Economic Development Board website:
An environmental strategy that ensures the proper conservation of our natural environment and cultural habitat. It will provide health and safety in line with the highest international practices.
That simple statement, based on my current thesis encompasses the cooperation, coordination and collaboration of at least the following agencies/institutions (in no particular order):
1. Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, Ministry of Development
2. Department of Forestry, MIPR (Heart of Borneo initiatives etc)
3. Department of Fisheries, MIPR (Marine Protected Areas etc)
4. Department of Museums, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (Endangered, threatened and protected species etc)
5. Department of Town and Country Planning, Ministry of Development (planning of land development etc)
6. Department of Land, Ministry of Development (as custodian of land related issues)
7. Survey Department, Ministry of Development (as stakeholder for GIS related info. etc)
8. Department of Agriculture and Agri-food, MIPR (land for food security etc)
9. Occupational Health Division, Ministry of Health (best practices for Occupational Health etc)
10. Labor Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (best practices for Occupational Safety etc)
11. Universiti Brunei Darussalam (not only as repository for research information, but to ensure integration into existing Environmental Management courses - hence producing even more marketable graduates, but also as an independent body to coordinate the research)
12. Water Department, PWD, Ministry of Development (water catchment areas etc)
13. Drainage and Sewage Department, PWD, Ministry of Development (efforts to alleviate flooding etc)
14. Government linked companies with vested interest to develop industries in Brunei
Taking into account the respective interests of the above mentioned agencies / sectors, a coordinated research consolidating the various interests of the stakeholders mentioned above, can warrant a justified need to take on board research that can not only help to achieve a sustainable country but most probably help to minimize costs and potentially bring in revenue.
Potential cost cutting measures could be in the form of establishing a national ISO 17025 certified laboratory that can cater towards the needs for establishing an environmental baseline survey (as is always needed in any Environmental Impact Assessment). With the introduction and establishment of identified best practices, agencies can start to coordinate efforts into understanding principles in Occupational Health and Occupational Safety, hence reducing 'hidden costs' of accidents, ailments related to occupational safety and occupational health.
Eco-tourism could be further developed simply based on the initiatives mentioned above, to show case measures developed by the Country to conserve and preserve Brunei towards Sustainable Development. This is in addition to the existing efforts established by the eco-tourism sector.
The introduction of policies based on industry best practices will ensure that in our efforts to attract foreign investment, established reputable companies with a proven track record in health, safety and environmental (HSE) management will be attracted to plant their roots in Brunei, knowing that their own efforts to implement best practices in HSE will be supported by relevant government agencies. This is reflected with the introduction of the 'Workplace Safety and Health Order, 2009', as well as the above mentioned environmental legislation.
I hope by sharing the above mentioned information, it will help to contribute towards a better understanding of how HSE can contribute towards a Sustainable Country.
United Nations University - EIA
United Nations University - SEA
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