INTRODUCTION
The Kuala Lumpur Accord on Environment and Development which was adopted by the ASEAN Ministers for the Environment on 19 June 1990 calls for inter alia efforts leading towards "the harmonization of transboundary pollution prevention and abatement practices".
In 1992, the issue of transboundary pollution was addressed by the ASEAN Heads of Government. The Singapore Declaration issued at the conclusion of the Fourth Meeting of the ASEAN Heads of Government held on 27 - 28 January 1992 states that "ASEAN member countries should continue to enhance environmental cooperation, particularly in issues of transboundary pollution, natural disasters, forest fires and in addressing the anti-tropical timber campaign."
In the Singapore Resolution on Environment issued at the end of the Fifth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment held on 17-18 February 1992, the ASEAN Ministers for the Environment agreed to harmonize policy directions and step up operational and technical cooperation on environment matters such as transboundary air and water pollution, natural disasters, forest fires, oil spills, and the transboundary movements and disposal of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes, and undertake joint actions to address the anti- tropical timber campaign; and undertake to develop and implement specific programmes relating to haze caused by forest fires, air and water quality management and protection of marine environment in ASEAN seas.
On 26 April 1994, the ASEAN Ministers for the Environment issued the Bandar Seri Begawan Resolution on Environment and Development which inter alia adopted the ASEAN Strategic Plan of Action on the Environment. One of the objectives of this Action Plan is to respond to specific recommendations of Agenda 21 requiring priority action in ASEAN particularly those pertaining to the protection of the atmosphere, and protection and management of the oceans.
At the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment held in Kuching, Malaysia on 21 October 1994, the Ministers agreed to enhance cooperation to manage natural resources and control transboundary pollution within ASEAN, to develop regional early warning and response system, and to improve the capacity of member countries in these areas.
In view of the increasing periodicity and worsening impact of transboundary pollution in the region and recognizing the complexity of the problem, the Ministers agreed to the formulation of an ASEAN Cooperation Plan on Transboundary Pollution. This Plan initially addresses the following three programme areas:
(a) Transboundary atmospheric pollution;
(b) Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes; and
(c) Transboundary shipborne pollution.
In adopting the Plan, the Ministers recognized that for its successful implementation, it would be imperative to secure public commitment and support. Towards this end, effective measures would be undertaken to promote public awareness and education leading to enhancing their capacity in dealing with the pollution problems at source.
PROGRAMME AREA 1:
TRANSBOUNDARY ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
Objectives
This Programme Area has the following objectives:
(a) to assess the origin and cause(s), nature and extent of local and regional haze incidents;
(b) to prevent and control the sources of haze at both national and regional levels by applying environmentally sound technologies and by strengthening both national and regional capabilities in the assessment, mitigation and management of haze; and
(c) to develop and implement national and regional emergency response plans.
Strategies
The best short-term strategy to address transboundary atmospheric pollution issue is to prevent anthropogenically induced forest fires, especially in land clearing activities in timber and agricultural estates and transmigration projects. The following measures should be undertaken:
(a) timely detection and prevention of forest fires through early warning systems, the deployment of ground forces and preparedness of local communities;
(b) prohibit burning of biomass generated largely by development projects during dry periods, particularly in the region affected by dry weather;
(c) during haze episode, to minimise any generation of pollution from local sources, to activate communication network for the sharing of information, and to activate relevant joint activities; and
(d) promote investments in alternative uses of biomass.
As a long term strategy, zero-burning practices and technologies which would result in pollution reduction should be promoted in all economic sectors through attractive financing by lending agencies. The longer term measures also comprise awareness building efforts to eliminate the use of fire in land clearing activities, as well asintroducing improvement of land clearing activities through economically sound and environmentally friendly methods in agriculture. Areas susceptible to spontaneous outbreaks of fire, such as coal beds and peat fields, should be developed to enable investments in appropriate activities.
Activities
The following activities shall be undertaken:
(a) establish National Focal Points in each country with inter-alia the following functions:
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make an inventory of existing resources;
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stablish a regional information dissemination mechanism;
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identify types of information to be shared/disseminated;
(b) expand the role of the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre (ASMC) to develop an atmospheric transport model in order to predict the tracts and spread of smoke haze;
(c) establish procedures for reporting/alerting of fires by the Forestry and other relevant agencies;
(d) develop a common air quality index and harmonize air quality sampling techniques;
(e) develop a regional fire danger rating system;
(f) share knowledge and technology in the prevention and mitigation of forest fire and other emission sources;
(g) establish a mechanism for cooperation in combating forest fires and other emission sources and their points of activation;
(h) expand the role of ASEAN Institute of Forest Management (AIFM) to strengthen national capacity through training in forest fire management; and
(i) enhance national and regional capabilities to deal with forest fires and other emission sources.
Institutional Arrangements
National Focal Points
The National Focal Points for this component of the Action Plan appear in Annex A.
Regional Institutions and Arrangements
In addressing the issue of transboundary pollution, the involvement of several existing ASEAN institutions and arrangements have been identified as follows:
(a) The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC)
ASMC being the regional facility for developing specialised weather forecasting capability for the region, should serve as a focal point for coordinating the detection and monitoring of transboundary atmospheric pollution in cooperation with the national meterorological services of the ASEAN member countries.
(b) ASEAN Institute of Forest, Management (AIFM)
AIFM's expanded role should focus on upgrading of skills and capabilites in the field of forest fire management namely:
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establish linkages with developed countries and multilateral organisations regarding the use of fire danger rating system, GIS and remote sensing technologies in forest fire monitoring and mapping of fire-prone areas;
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develop and implement a regional forest fire danger rating system;
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develop and implement a regional strategy for responding to forest fire emergencies; and
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coordinate development of training standards where applicable.
(c) ASEAN Working Group On Forestry, ASEAN-EC Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) Sub-Commiftee On Forest, and Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines (BIMP). East ASEAN Growth Areas (EAGA) Sub-Committee On Forest
ASOEN should explore ways to work closely with the above bodies to enhance cooperation to combat forest fire.
PROGRAMME AREA 2:
TRANSBOUNDARY MOVEMENTOF HAZARDOUS WASTES
Objective
The objective of this programme is to prevent and control illegal transboundary movement of hazardous wastes.
Strategy
To control the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, all ASEAN member countries should accede to the Basel Convention as soon as possible.
Activities
In subscribing to the provisions of the Basel Convention the following activities shall be undertaken:
(a) identification of focal points in each ASEAN country;
(b) exchange of information on list of hazardous wastes and control procedures on the movement of such wastes as adopted by each country;
(c) training programmes and capacity building on the management of hazardous wastes; and
(d) development of national legislation to control the management of hazardous waste within the country as well as for its movement from abroad.
Institutional Arrangement
The National Focal Points for this programme area appear in Annex B.
PROGRAMME AREA 3:
TRANSBOUNDARY SHIPBORNE POLLUTION
Objective
The objectives of this programme area are to identify issues of common concern, formulate appropriate strategies and develop specific plans to control shipborne pollution.
Strategies
To manage and minimise transboundary pollution from ships, all ASEAN member countries should develop mechanisms and procedures for mitigating shipborne pollutants and procedures for enforcement.
Activities
The following activities shall be undertaken:
(a) identify National Focal Points in ASEAN member countries;
(b) strengthen existing activities through the following :
(c) promote cooperation in enforcement activities;
(d) encourage private sector participation in mitigating shipborne pollution;
(e) undertake training and capacity building programmes to upgrade the skills of personnel charged with the responsibility to mitigate shipborne pollution;
(f) identify available training courses offered by the various regional and international agencies for manpower development; and.
(g) promote the establishment of on-shore reception facilities for slop/sludge to complement enforcement activities.
Institutional Arrangement
The National Focal Points for this Programme Area appear in Annex C.
RESOURCES AND EXTRA-REGIONAL SUPPORT
Cooperative links shall be established with multinational agencies and third countries to strengthen national and regional capabilities in addressing the transboundary pollution problem. With regard to Programme Area 1, the following needs have been identified for resourcing:
(a) Resources for Assessment
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modelling technique which can accurately simulate and predict long-range transportation of haze over the ASEAN region and evaluate the impact of transboundary haze on local air quality;
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remote-sensing data acquisition for early detection of forest fire through satellite and aircraft; and
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development and use of fire danger rating system, GIS and vegetation fuel modelling for mapping of fire prone areas.
(b) Resources for Management
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capacity building in the prevention and mitigation of forest fire and other emission sources through development of standardized training programme;
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project demonstration relating to up-to-date technology in biomass utilization such as composting and generation of electricity which can bring returns to investment; and
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investment in biomass utilization.
Extra Regional Support
Participating countries and institutions have indicated possible areas of cooperation. In summary, these are as follows:
Australia
Australia offers a proposal for a project to assist Indonesia, and through it other ASEAN countries, to better control forest fires and other non-urban fires through a series of institutional strengthening initiatives and assistance to appropriate Indonesian agencies involved in the detection and control of transboundary pollution by haze.
It has also offered assistance to ASEAN in the development of a proposal to address non-forest fire elements of transboundary pollution and acid deposition by haze.
Australia has a range of technologies and expertise for analysing and tracking pollution, extensive experience in air quality modelling and monitoring, in forecasting meterological conditions conducive to the build-up and long range transport of haze and the provision of severeweather warning services.
Australia has developed a long range transport modelling system which has already been used for research on the transport of smoke haze in the Indonesian region. This system is based on real-time observations of wind and weather systems and in particular the WMO RAV region which includes South East Asia.
Canada
Continuing to build private and public linkages between Canada and ASEAN member countries will facilitate the transfer of technologies and expertise in assessing, mitigating and managing transboundary air pollution issues. Seed money is available which aims to bring together Canadian and local entrepreneurs to explore joint venture opportunities. Support will continue to be provided to the AIFM (through to the completion of the Phase II Project, July 1997) in implementing the ASEAN Cooperation Plan. In particular a fire management specialist will undertake a term at AIFM in order to collaborate with ASEAN counterparts in the development of fire management systems.
Denmark
Denmark's specific strength is integrated strategic management. This includes the following specific technologies:
(a) modelling of physical and chemical processes involved in the generation and transport of air pollutants on large, regional and local scales;
(b) assimilation of meteorological and air quality monitoring andemission data in models of all scales; and
(c) nesting of models and integration with measurement data,
Japan
Japan is ready to look into the possibility of providing relevant expertise if any such requests are made through appropriate bilateral channels.
New Zealand
New Zealand has expertise in the following areas related to the management of haze:
(a) development of fire management systems including detection, prevention, protection, control and suppression;
(b) fire control management and fire fighting training; and
(c) public education and awareness.
United States of America
The US has expertise in development of fire management programmes including fuel models, fire danger rating system, fire prevention, prescribed fire, atmospheric monitoring, and assessment of monitoring data.
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
ITTO is in a Position to provide financial Support for activities to be carried out by relevant ASEAN Member Countries or ASEAN Institutions; in particular, in the area pertaining to the protection of tropical forests against fires.
Secretariat of the Basel Convention
The Basel Convention Secretariat is entrusted to ensure smooth implementation of various programmes and activities of the Convention. Parties to, the Convention as well as international organizations such as UNEP, as well as other relevant organizations could support the management of transboundary movement hazardous wastes. The Secretariat of the Basel Convention has plans to set up a training institute on the management of hazardous waste in the Asia- Pacific region. The Secretariat is currently conducting a feasibility study to locate the training institute in one of the ASEAN countries.
UNEP
UNEP can assist ASEAN by not only strengthening its existing ties but also looking to the possibility of establishing new areas for cooperation. These include environmental monitoring and assessment, promotion and support of regional and sub-regional cooperation providing technical, legal and institutional advice, assessment and assistance in cases of environmental emergency information exchange, public education and awareness.
IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF THE ACTION PLAN
With regard to the implementation of the Plan, ASOEN shall be responsible for the following:
(a) undertake all measures for the implementation of the Plan;
(b) play a major coordinating role in addressing all issues relating to transboundary pollution;
(c) identify financial support and relevant technologies from within and outside ASEAN; and
(d) report on the progress of the implementation of the Plan.
The ASEAN Ministers for the Environment shall review the progress of the implementation of the Plan.
