After falling steadily in recent years, the number of haze-causing
hotspots in Indonesia this year has spiked to numbers that now exceed those in
2006, the last time Singapore experienced a prolonged hazy spell.
Minister for the Environment and
Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan described the rise as "considerable
backsliding".
The return of the haze to grey
the city air of Singapore and other parts of the region once again raises
questions about regional cooperation.
Almost 15 years have passed since
the worst episode of the haze in 1997 and while things have not gotten worse,
an effective resolution has not been found. Back then, Indonesia - where land
and forest fires create the pollution - was in political and economic turmoil.
It has now made a democratic transition and boasts a booming economy.
Then, the Association of
South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) also faced much criticism for failing to
effectively respond to the Asian crisis. Today, the group - albeit with some
problems - stands at the heart of Asia and is aiming for an ASEAN Community by
2015.
Yet the haze remains a recurrent
regional problem. It has been estimated to cost billions in economic losses
from reduced tourism and surges in respiratory and other ailments. Its
long-term health impacts are of great concern, especially for Indonesians living
nearest the fires.
ASEAN has negotiated and signed a
treaty specifically to address the haze problem. Indonesia, however, has not
ratified it because its Parliament objects to the lack of any benefit to offset
the ensuing obligations. Nonetheless, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono has pledged to tackle the haze, and there had been a steady decrease
in the number of hotspots after 2006.
But the recent rise in the number
of hotspots, as noted by Dr Balakrishnan in Parliament last week, shows that
gains made in past years can easily be reversed.
LOOKING BEYOND JAKARTA
The real solutions to the haze
lie not in the air, nor in paper promises. Approaches that work must also look
beyond the politics of Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, which does not directly
experience the problem.
Efforts must be made on the
ground and in the provinces where the fires burn. Provincial authorities have
more authority and impact on the issue, given the decentralisation of
administrative power in the country and distances from the centre.
The efforts, moreover, must be
made with an attitude of working together with local communities and
corporations on the ground. Funding for solutions and finding alternative
livelihoods for villagers must be part of the approach. Such efforts have been
piloted.
Since 2007, Singapore has worked
with local authorities in Jambi province. Malaysia has similarly made special
efforts in Riau. When the environment ministers of these countries met in
Brunei in May, indications were shared to show that these projects have been of
use, with fewer fires in the areas where cooperation was enhanced.
Singapore will now commit to
renew the Jambi project. Malaysia is expected to do similarly.
But beyond this, if these efforts
are indeed helpful, governments should upscale and multiply their projects.
Moreover, we should look beyond inter-government cooperation, to tap the
expertise of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
PRIVATE SECTOR'S ROLE
One prospect is the Heart of
Borneo, an initiative by the World Wide Fund for Nature to conserve areas
across parts of Brunei, East Malaysia and Kalimantan and prevent fires
spreading across the northern belt of Borneo. But while this and various NGO
schemes have potential, few or none are up and running at a high standard that
is verified and sustainable.
The private sector can play a
positive role in moving ahead. Funding is needed for conservation and can be
mobilised through carbon offsets and REDD+ (reducing emissions from
deforestation and forest degradation) schemes.
But a precondition is that
governments provide sufficient regulatory frameworks and incentives. Otherwise,
investors will continue to be uncertain that there will be financial returns
and inertia will continue.
Another pressing issue is to
ensure that corporations operating in fire-prone regions observe laws against
the use of fire. There are better companies that try to do so. But errant
companies must be subject to legal sanction in Indonesia or else face economic
pressure on their products.
Pressure on the palm oil industry
has been growing, and some companies have responded responsibly by seeking
certification that their practices are legal and sustainable. Customers,
investors and financiers in this industry should increasingly require such
certification.
It does matter where Indonesia
stands in all this. This is not only about ratifying the ASEAN Haze Agreement
on paper. Even more importantly, provincial authorities, private sector
corporations and NGOs need to step and deepen cooperation on the ground.
Simon Tay and Nicholas Fang
Business & Investment Opportunities
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