Brunei Darussalam’s participation in the 27th Session of the United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (UN COP27) provides the Sultanate the opportunity to share its various national commitments and initiatives internationally.
The initiatives include the launching of its Mandatory Reporting Directive, for which Brunei’s key stakeholders will report their emissions to the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat (BCCS) for proper accountability.
On an ASEAN level, Brunei Darussalam announced the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change (ACCC) in the country. The centre is envisaged to function as a research institute, think tank, strategic coordinator for initiatives and actions on climate change in the ASEAN region.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin as a member of the Brunei Darussalam National Council on Climate Change (BNCCC) delivered Brunei Darussalam’s national statement on behalf of the Brunei Government on November 15.
The UN COP27 runs from November 6-18 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
During the COP26 held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, Brunei Darussalam shared its national statement and the ASEAN joint statement on climate change as part of its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2021. It included the launching of the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy through 10 main strategies, the presentation of the nation’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of reducing its emissions by 20 per cent relative to business as usual (BAU) levels by 2030, as well as its further climate ambitions of energy transition, forest preservation and its move to net-zero by 2050.
This year’s COP27 focusses on transitioning from planning to action on a wide area of important issues related to climate change. Egypt as host of the COP27 shared its ambition in accelerating global climate action through reducing emissions, raising adaptation efforts and facilitating further finance flows for recovery efforts of loss and damage caused by the impact of climate change.
Participation at COP remains an important platform for Brunei to share its international commitments. It is also an opportunity to further collaborate with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in advancing the nation’s climate initiative and to garner support.
In 2017 and 2021, the COP requested the UN Climate Change Secretariat to establish the needs based finance (NBF) project to help facilitate access and mobilisation to climate finance for mitigation and adaptation projects in developing countries. Through this project and with the support of the UN Secretariat, Brunei, alongside Philippines have been given the opportunity to co-develop the framework for the ASEAN Climate Finance Strategy (CFS), which serves to help facilitate financial support to climate initiatives in the region.
COP27 remains a prestigious opportunity by which Brunei Darussalam can present its achievements and actions towards tackling climate change, through its national statement.
This is a part of the whole-of-nation approach that Brunei takes in achieving Brunei Vision 2035 goals, to ensure quality of life and a sustainable economy for all.
Also in attendance were Permanent Secretary (Wawasan) at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala binti Pengiran Haji Mohammad and Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the PMO Haji Azhar bin Haji Yahya as Chairperson of the Executive Committee on Climate Change of Brunei Darussalam.
-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin