Overview

AN OVERVIEW ON ASEAN ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION

Introduction

The ASEAN Region is one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the world. The region, while occupying only 3 per cent of the world’s total land area, is renowned for its rich biological heritage, comprising the three mega biodiversity countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, which together represent around 80 per cent of global biological diversity. The forest cover in ASEAN is about 45 per cent compared to the world’s average of 30.3 per cent and it provides the natural habitat for up to 40 per cent of all species on Earth. The region also houses more than 1000 protected areas covering 595,700 sq. km. or about 13 per cent of its total land area. The region has 34 per cent of the total mangrove forest area, 64 per cent of mangrove species, 31 per cent of coral reef area, and 33 per cent of sea grass species.

Increased population, rapid economic growth, combined with the existing and region-wide social inequities among the ASEAN countries has essentially exerted increasing pressures on the natural resources of the region and brought along various common or transboundary environmental issues, such as air, water and land pollution, urban environmental degradation, transboundary haze pollution, and depletion of natural resources, particularly biological diversity.

Recognising the importance of environmental cooperation for sustainable development and regional integration, ASEAN has since 1977 cooperated closely in promoting environmental cooperation among its member states. Currently, ASEAN environmental cooperation focuses on ten priority areas of regional importance as reflected in the Blueprint for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC Blueprint) 2009-2015 as follows:

  1. Addressing global environmental issues
  2. Managing and preventing transboundary environmental pollution
    • Transboundary haze pollution
    • Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes
  3. Promoting sustainable development through environmental education and public participation
  4. Promoting environmentally sound technology (EST)
  5. Promoting quality living standards in ASEAN cities/ urban areas
  6. Harmonising environmental policies and databases
  7. Promoting the sustainable use of coastal and marine environment
  8. Promoting sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity
  9. Promoting the sustainability of freshwater resources
  10. Responding to climate change and addressing its impacts

Mandate and Policy Framework

The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint was endorsed by the ASEAN Leaders in the 14th ASEAN Summit, held in Cha Am, Hua Hin, Thailand on 1 March 2009. The Leaders agreed that the ASCC Blueprint, together with the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint, the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint and the IAI Work Plan 2 shall be the roadmap towards the realisation of ASEAN Community 2015. The Leaders also agreed that the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009 – 2015) shall replace the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP).

The following chart illustrates the current ASEAN Environmental Cooperation in the ASCC Blueprint.

ASEAN Community

The following chart illustrates the current ASEAN Institutional Framework for Environmental Cooperation

Institutional Framework

The following chart illustrates the current ASEAN Institutional Framework for Haze Cooperation.

Institutional Framework for Haze Cooperation

In order to achieve meaningful and focused cooperation, the ASEAN Environment Ministers at their 7th informal meeting in 2002 in Vientiane, Lao PDR prioritised environmental cooperation in ten areas and agreed that the idea of each country spearheading programmes in one specific area of interest would help to create better platforms for further cooperation on the environment. At the 10th IAMME in September 2007, the ASEAN Environment Ministers agreed to rationalise the priority areas of sustainable forest management and sustainable management of protected areas into one priority area, namely sustainable management of biodiversity. The current lead country arrangement and priority areas for regional cooperation are as follows:

Priority Areas

Lead / Chair

(2010-2013)

Subsidiary Body

D1.

Global Environmental Issues

Viet Nam

AWGMEA

D2.

Transboundary Environmental Pollution

(Haze & Hazardous Wastes)

[separate institutional mechanism*]

D3.

Environmental Education & Public Participation

Brunei Darussalam

AWGEE

D4.

Environmentally Sound Technologies

Malaysia

[ASEAN Secretariat]

D5.

Urban Environmental Management & Governance

Indonesia

AWGESC

D6.

Harmonisation of Environmental Policies and   Database

ASEC

[ASEAN Secretariat]

D7.

Coastal and Marine Environment

Philippines

AWGCME

D8.

Sustainable Management of Natural Resources & Biodiversity

Myanmar

AWGNCB

D9.

Freshwater Resources

Singapore

AWGWRM

D10.

Climate Change

Thailand

AWGCC

Note: *  under the Sub-regional Ministerial Steering Committee mechanism and under the Conference of the Parties to Haze Agreement mechanism

Highlights of Key Programme Areas/Activities

(i) Addressing global environmental issues

This programme which is under the purview of the ASEAN Working Group on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (AWGMEA) principally aims at addressing the issues related to atmospheric and chemical related conventions, such as climate change, hazardous and toxic wastes/chemicals, etc in which ASEAN’s cooperation focuses on sharing of experiences and information, developing common understanding/positions and capacity building to meet the obligations of the relevant conventions.

(ii) Transboundary Haze Pollution

ASEAN continued to implement concerted and focused on-the-ground actions to tackle the smoke haze problem through the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. Substantial progress has been made in the implementation of the Agreement, including the establishment of the ASEAN Transboundary Haze Pollution Control Fund; implementation of various activities under the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy; the conduct of simulation exercises to familiarise AMS with the regional ‘Standard Operating Procedure for monitoring, assessment and joint emergency response’, and coordination and communication mechanisms in joint emergency response; implementation of zero burning and controlled-burning practices; development of an online inventory of available fire fighting resources in AMS that could be made available in case of emergency; the establishment of the Panel of ASEAN Experts on Fire and Haze Assessment and Coordination for deployment during impending critical periods; and the ASEAN Haze Action Online website (http://haze.asean.org) to facilitate information sharing and dissemination on fire and haze issues.

Sub-regional frameworks such as the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) on Transboundary Haze Pollution comprising Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, and the Mekong Technical Working Group comprising Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam, added further impetus to tackling forest fires and smoke haze at the respective regions. Collaborative capacity building programmes among Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand (MSC countries) have been implemented in fire-prone areas under the framework of Indonesia’s Comprehensive Plan of Action in Dealing with Transboundary Haze Pollution, namely Indonesia-Malaysia collaboration in Riau Province, and Indonesia-Singapore collaboration in Muaro Jambi Regency, Jambi Province.

A US$ 15 million regional peatland project, comprising a grant of US$ 4.3 million from the Global Environment Facility, is being implemented to undertake measures to prevent peatland fires, the major source of smoke haze in the region.

(iii) Promoting sustainable development through environmental education and public participation

The ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan 2000 – 2005 (AEEAP) was adopted by the ASEAN Environment Ministers in October 2000. The AEEAP provides a regional framework to undertake coordinated action at the national and regional levels to promote environmental education (EE) in order to ensure that the people develop from their own social and cultural values a sense of civic responsibility to care for the environment. The focus of the action plans are in four areas, such as: (1) Formal Education; (2) Non-Formal Education; (3) Capacity Building; and (4) Networking and Partnerships.

As the plan ended in 2005, ASEAN has developed a successor plan taking into cognisance the UN Decade on Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). The ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan (2008-2012) was endorsed by the ASEAN Environment Ministers in their 10th Informal Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand and is ready for implementation. ASEAN Member States agreed that the initial implementation of the Action Plan will focus on the following regional level activities:

The 19th Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN) endorsed the establishment of ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Education to oversee and coordinate the implementation of AEEAP 2008-2012. The Working Group is chaired by Brunei Darussalam.

The Celebration of ASEAN Environment Year 2009 (AEY 2009) was held in Champasak Province, Lao PDR, on 30 – 31 March 2009. The theme of this year celebration “Ecotourism: Our Nature, Our Culture”, reflected ASEAN’s commitment to achieve the vision of a Clean and Green ASEAN where the values and practices of the people are in harmony with nature. The AEY is a celebration held once every three years to showcase ASEAN’s achievements and commitments to environmental protection, and to promote public awareness on environmental issues in general.

(iv) Promoting environmentally sound technology (EST)

ASEAN also promotes the adoption of cleaner production processes and technologies and has established the ASEAN Network on Environmentally Sound Technologies (ASEAN-NEST) as a forum to share experiences and information.

(v) Promoting quality living standards in ASEAN cities/ urban areas

With the increasing trend of urbanisation in the region, ASEAN has initiated the ASEAN Initiative on Environmentally Sustainable Cities (AIESC) in 2005 which focuses on addressing urban environmental challenges such as air pollution due to vehicular emissions, solid waste management and water pollution along with access to clean water. Currently, 25 ASEAN cities are participating in the programme.

The key indicators for Clean Air, Clean Water and Clean Land were developed in 2005, and endorsed by the Environment Ministers in 2006. The AMS agreed that the key indicators could serve as guidelines for cities to achieve environmental sustainability, and in particular, urged the participating cities under the AIESC network are encouraged to make use of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess the current state of their environment.

To stimulate, benchmark, and recognise exemplary efforts on environment sustainability, ASEAN also initiated the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City (ESC) Award programme. The inaugural ASEAN ESC Award ceremony was held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam on 8 October 2008, on the occasion of the 11th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (IAMME). The ASEAN Environment Ministers presented the awards to ten cities/townships/districts in ASEAN that had made exemplary efforts towards environmental sustainability. The ESC Award aims to make ASEAN cities environmentally sustainable by recognising exemplary efforts and sharing best indigenous practices to keep cities clean, green and liveable.

(vi) Harmonising environmental policies and databases

ASEAN published its first State of the Environment Report (SoER) in 1997. The Second SoER (2000) was released in 2001. The Third SoER (2006) was launched by the ASEAN Environment Ministers in November 2006. Additionally, in 2002, ASEAN also published the ASEAN Report to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) to update the Summit on ASEAN’s progress towards the fulfilment of Agenda 21. The Fourth SoER was launched in October 2009 on the occasion of the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment (AMME).

(vii) Promoting the sustainable use of coastal and marine environment

To help protect the shared marine waters in the region, ASEAN has adopted the Marine Water Quality Criteria for the ASEAN Region, the ASEAN Criteria for National Marine Protected Areas, and the ASEAN Criteria for Marine Heritage Areas. The Marine Water Quality Criteria sets values for an initial set of 17 parameters for the protection of aquatic life and human health, while the Criteria for National Marine Protected Areas and ASEAN Marine Heritage Areas contain criteria for designation and management of existing and new protected areas. ASEAN also adopted and published the ASEAN Marine Water Quality Criteria: Management Guidelines and Monitoring Manual which aims at providing a reference document for ASEAN Member States in coordinating marine water quality management policies and monitoring approaches within each and between the countries.

(viii) Promoting sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity

ASEAN's commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of its rich biological resources is evident with the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) in late 2005 which will continue promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable use through networking, training, research, and database management. The EA of ACB entered into force on 23 July 2009, following the deposit of the sixth instrument of ratification from Myanmar. The EA of ACB had been ratified by Brunei Darussalam (19 May 2008), Lao PDR (2 October 2008), Myanmar (8 July 2009), Philippines (6 September 2006), Singapore (28 October 2008) and Viet Nam 29 November 2006). The Government of the Philippines ratified the Host Country Agreement on 14 September 2009.

The ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme is one of ASEAN environmental flagship programmes whereby member countries designate their selected national protected areas and reserves as ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP). To date, 28 sites have been designated as AHP. Two National Marine Parks of Thailand are currently in the process to be inscribed as AHP. The objectives of the AHP are:

(ix) Promoting the sustainability of freshwater resources

Recognising the importance of freshwater resources, ASEAN has embarked on cooperation in integrated water resources management with the formation of the ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources Management (AWGWRM) in 2002. Following the endorsement of the ASEAN Long Term Strategic Plan for Water Resources Management in 2003, ASEAN has also adopted the ASEAN Strategic Plan of Action on Water Resources Management (2005) which aims to tackle issues relating to demand and supply allocation, water quality and sanitation, extreme events, and governance and capacity building.

To date, two project proposals have been implemented. They are:

Three projects are still pending due to funding availability as follows:

(x) Responding to climate change and addressing its impacts

Recognizing that the ASEAN region is highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, the ASEAN Leaders resolved to enhance cooperation in addressing climate change and in particular expressed their support to the development of ASEAN Climate Change Initiative (ACCI). ACCI is envisaged to be a consultative platform to further strengthen regional coordination and cooperation in addressing climate change, and to undertake concrete actions to respond to its adverse impacts. The scope of collaboration through the ACCI will include (i) Policy and Strategy formulation; (ii) Information sharing; (iii) Capacity building; (iv) Technology Transfer. The 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment adopted the Terms of Reference of ACCI and endorsed the establishment of an ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC) to implement the ACCI.

In line with the efforts to develop ACCI and the work of AWGMEA, ASEAN is currently promoting the “Cool ASEAN and Green Capitals Initiative”, which will focus more on local-level practical actions to address climate change through the involvement of the major city governments in the region. This Initiative will be led by the ASEAN Capital City Mayors/Governors, with ASEAN playing an enabling and supporting role. At the 11th IAMME, the Ministers expressed their support for this Initiative. The Governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has agreed to take the lead on this Initiative. The World Bank also agreed to partner and support the Initiative. The Initiative is planned to be launched tentatively in the first quarter of 2010.