Brunei Darussalam is on track to achieve targeted commitment in the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions 20 per cent by 2030 as compare to Business-As-Usual levels.
This was highlighted by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah during the 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday, responding to inquiries made by LegCo members Yang Berhormat Chong Chin Yee and Yang Berhormat Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Momin.
The minister said, “Since the introduction of Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy or BNCCP in 2020, the country successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions consistently and has reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent in 2023 as compare to Business-As-Usual levels because of the implementation of strategies under BNCCP.”
He added, “The upgrading of Brunei Climate Change Secretariat (BCCS) to Brunei Climate Change Office or BCCO has taken into consideration of the additional mandate that have been given in managing the country’s commitment toward achieving Paris Agreement and targets set under BNCCP.”
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew highlighted, “Therefore, the BCCO also play an important role in managing and monitoring mandatory reporting directives and the country’s greenhouse gas reporting system, preparing framework in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as country’s focal in managing early establishment of ASEAN Climate Change Centre and assessment of the country’s position at global stage in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP).”
The minister added, “This year BCCO will update BNCCP in term of analysing existing policy’s data, methodology and regulations with relevant agencies to assess and evaluate the performance and targets in the current context.
“The upgrading of BCCS to BCCO reflects that the climate change issue is one of the priority areas that have been given close attention by the government in addressing global issues with cooperation within and outside of the country.”
Meanwhile, the minister also shared that starting from July 1, 2024, Manpower Planning and Employment Council (MPEC) permanent secretariat has been restructured, where the MPEC has become two separate reorganisations.
The role of policy and strategies are under MPEC while the organising and implementation of training programmes are under JobCentre Brunei. JobCentre Brunei has also been upgraded as a department under the Prime Minister’s Office.
He was responding to inquiries made by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof and Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim.
“With the upgrade of JobCentre Brunei to a department, it is now responsible for implementing available training programmes, including allocations for human resource development training. Previously managed by the MPEC, these responsibilities now fall under SA028A Pusat Pekerjaan Brunei,” the minister added. – James Kon
