Peat fires in Brunei Darussalam: considerations for ASEAN haze cooperation and emerging regional infrastructure development
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2024
Abstract
This paper sheds light on the extent of the haze problem in Brunei Darussalam and on Brunei's unique position in contributing to the haze through fires occurring in disturbed parts of its peatlands. Brunei's peatland fires, which have their roots in infrastructure development, juxtapose drastically with the drivers of peat fires in other parts of southern Southeast Asia, which are mainly due to small- or large-scale agriculture development. Our discussion highlights how Brunei's status as both a small state in ASEAN and a minor producer of smoke haze has resulted in Brunei remaining at the sidelines of haze diplomacy and cooperation at the ASEAN level. Further, the paper points out a lack of attention to the role of infrastructure development on peatlands in driving fires and haze in the country and how this is also increasingly becoming an issue in neighbouring countries, where massive infrastructure projects are underway, cutting through Borneo's peatlands.
Keywords
Brunei, haze, ASEAN, peat fires, infrastructure, Borneo
Divisions
International
Funders
Ministry of Education, Singapore, under its Social Science Research Council (SSRC) grant 'Sustainable Governance of the Transboundary Environmental Commons in Southeast Asia' [(MOE2016-SSRTG-068)]
Publication Title
Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography
Volume
45
Issue
1
Publisher
Wiley
Publisher Location
111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA