Lyna Mohamad
Some 79,625 trees have been planted since the launch of the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy (BNCCP) in 2020, said Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah.
It demonstrates the efforts to preserve and expand the Sultanate’s forest cover to reduce carbon emissions, maintain biodiversity and promote sustainable development, he said during a tree planting activity organised by UOB Asset Management Brunei (UOBAM Brunei) and Green Brunei yesterday.
The tree planting is part of BNCCP’s Strategy II to increase the country’s carbon sink through afforestation and reforestation programmes with a target of planting 500,000 new trees by 2035.
“Trees are renewable sources of energy in the form of biomass and they offer shade for cooling, promote energy conservation and provide economic opportunities. Alhamdulillah, Brunei Darussalam is blessed with lush rainforests – home to a wealth of natural resources that can contribute to our economy,” said the minister.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew said trees are valuable assets in the fight against climate change while also generating carbon credits, therefore an economic incentive to invest responsibly in sustainable forest management practices.
“By preserving and expanding our forest cover, we are contributing to the well-being of our planet, our country and our future generations. I urge all to embrace this initiative and join hands to address climate change and promote sustainability for a low carbon and climate-resilient Brunei Darussalam,” said the minister.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew officiated the event by planting a bucida molineti sapling followed by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Economy) Dato Seri Paduka Haji Khairuddin bin Haji Abdul Hamid and Singaporean High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Heng Aik Yeow.
The remaining trees were planted by participants representing 19 organisations.
