Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas, the CEO & Principal Architect of Arkitek Idris (centre) speaking during the forum as Mr Wade Hughes (L) and Mr Hong Kok Seng look on.

The chilling and irrefutable effects of climate can no longer be ignored.

This well-known but easily forgotten fact was reiterated by Stuart Kemp, the Executive Director of Asia INC Forum, during the 2nd Annual National Environment Conference at the Empire Hotel & Country Club yesterday.

He said that the people of Brunei Darussalam need to take action today for a sustainable nation tomorrow - the theme of yesterday's conference.

"Sustainability is the balance between economic, social and environmental segments... it is the ability to endure and to live forever," the Executive Director of Asia INC Forum said, adding that a sustainable nation is one that will not use up its resources faster than it can be replaced.

To ensure sustainable development, "we must have a master plan, and we have to ensure we get the master plan right", according to Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas, the CEO & Principal Architect of Arkitek Idris.

He revealed that since the last master plan (which was introduced 20 years ago) was "outdated", a new master planner would be appointed soon.

Dato Paduka Hj Idris, however, conceded that Brunei was still far from having a good public transportation system that would help reduce the nation's carbon emissions.

"We're still far from achieving this... but as long as you have a target, you can work to achieve it," he said.

At the end of the day-long discussions, experts agreed that improving waste management and reducing carbon emissions were among the ways that would turn the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, into a sustainable city.

Djoko Prihanto, the Senior Vice President of Surbana International Consultants raised an alarming fact that Brunei emits as much as 5.5 metric tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

Among the "Go Green" strategies advocated by Prihanto yesterday include developing a world-class public transport system, promoting 'Green' transport, as well as adopting 'Green' car and building policies.

According to him, these are some of the strategies that could deal with problems that may arise in the near future, given the fact that "car ownership in Bandar Seri Begawan could be tripled by 2030" and that public transportation in the capital was "still at the preliminary stage".

He also touched on about the advantages of providing 60,000 new eco-friendly homes in Brunei.

Meanwhile, Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, the Acting Chairman of Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), said: "We need to have economic sustainability but it should also be accompanied by environmental sustainability... You don't want to attract industries that damage the environment."

According to him, it is important to make sure that the new industries that we bring in do not damage the environment. "It's always a matter of striking a balance," he said.

Other issues discussed include the haze that affected the region, adopting a 'Green' waste management system, support 'Green' businesses and building a sustainable city.

Guests speakers included: Dr Rajasekhar Balasubramanian, Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Division of Environmental Science and Engineering of the National University of Singapore; Dr Jerry Leonard, Executive Manager of Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence in Canada; Anita Roper CEO of Sustainability Victoria, a statutory authority of the Victorian Government for delivering sustainable programmes; Jonathan Drew, Managing Director of Resources and Energy Group for HSBC Global Banking; Hong Kok Seng, Commissioner of the Town & Country Planning Department for the Ministry of Development; Wade Hughes, Director of Alcoa Global Primary Products, USA; Mr Yong Teck Chin, Senior Technical Manager, Jurusy Perunding; and, Dr Jerry Leonard, the Executive Manager of Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence (Canada).

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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