PL Tay

Slide1: 

Fires, Haze and Acid Rain: The Social and Political Framework of Air Pollution in Asean and Asia Paper Presented by: Simon S C Tay, Associate Professor, National University of Singapore, Nominated Member of Parliament & Chairman , Singapore Institute of International Affairs

Introduction: 

Air Pollution and Asia in Context Air Pollution has different sources, dimensions and driving factors. Each example has their unique respects but there are common points of reference in their social and political frameworks and the challenge that they pose on a national regional and global level. Two examples will be used in this paper: The Indonesian Fires and Haze Acid Rain in North East Asia They will illustrate the need to strengthen the social and political frameworks, to increase non-governmental participation and recognition of cross-border and global concerns. Introduction

Indonesian Fires & the Haze: 

Indonesian Fires & the Haze Epicentre of fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia. Resulting haze covered Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines and Thailand. Current Costs Estimates: (WWF) Forest and bush burnt 2 million hectares (approximately) Economic loss for Indonesia and the region more than US $20 billion Future Costs Estimates: Unknown Long Term Effect on Human Health Global Warming Estimated 1 billion tons of CO2 gases released in a six month period.This is greater than the emissions from Western Europe for the same time period.

Causes of the Fires: 

The Usual Suspects El Nino Phenomenon Small Scale Indigenous Farmers (Shifting Cultivation) The Real Culprits Logging & Plantation Companies Government Agencies Causes of the Fires

North East Asian Acid Rain: 

North East Asian Acid Rain Growing air pollution problem due to rapid industrialisation and urbanisation in North East Asia. Impacts upon: Natural and agricultural ecosystems Human health in industrial centres and cities Rising concerns as future energy use and development scenarios indicate higher levels of acid deposition over a wider area. By 2020, in large regions of China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan, acid deposition is expected to exceed soil’s capability to cope.

Causes of Acid Rain: 

Causes of Acid Rain Acid Rain in Korea and Japan show that they come from sulphur dioxide or nitrogen oxide emissions in China. Emissions in China are due to: Burning of fossil fuels and coal for energy, transportation and industry. -Residential and industrial emissions affect local urban acid precipitation -Power plants contribute most to long range transportation of pollutants Inefficient energy production - China takes 20 times more primary energy than Japan to produce a dollar of economic product

International Principles & Practice: 

International Principles & Practice “A state is legally responsible for all transboundary pollution emanating from areas under its jurisdiction or control, where significant harms results to the other state.” Consensus created due to: 1) Trail Smelter Arbitration 2) Principle 21 of the Stockholm Declaration 3) Principle 2 of the Rio Declaration In practice, there is a dearth of adjudication in transboundary pollution. For example, no action was taken after, a) Chernobyl, USSR (1985) b) Sandoz Spill, Rhine (1986)

Regional and Bilateral Treaties : 

Regional and Bilateral Treaties Characteristics of Regional and Bilateral Treaties Lacking strict liability regimes or the means of enforcing the legal principles of responsibility Preference in setting specific pollution limits to a specific type of transboundary pollution. Promises of cooperative action between states: a) advance notification & consultation b) exchanges of information & research c) general undertaking to take “appropriate measures”

ASEAN & Environmental Cooperation: 

ASEAN & Environmental Cooperation Why ASEAN? Indonesia and the International Community : the case of national and international inaction ASEAN : the useful middle ground The ASEAN Way ASEAN: economic and political success, but a poor environmental record. Taking a pro-developing country stand ASEAN Strategic Plan of Action on the Environment (1994-1998)

ASEAN Strategic Plan of Action on the Environment: 

ASEAN Strategic Plan of Action on the Environment The Plan incorporates many of the recommendations and approaches in Agenda 21, and also recognises the need to: Foster government and private sector interactions Strengthen institutional and legal capacities Establish regional framework on biological diversity conservation & sustainable use Promote protection of coastal zones and marine resources Promote environmentally sound management of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes Create a system for promoting environmentally sound technologies.

ASEAN’s Weak Points?: 

The Principle of Non Intervention 2) Preference for non-binding plans instead of treaties 3) Preference for national institutions and action instead of a central bureaucracy with powers of initiative and more resources. ASEAN’s Weak Points?

Co-operation Plan on Transboundary Pollution: 

Co-operation Plan on Transboundary Pollution In 1995, following the haze of 1994, ASEAN Ministers agreed on the Cooperation Plan on Transboundary Pollution. National level Establish focal points Enhance to national capabilities to deal with forest fires Share knowledge & technology Establish mechanism for combating forest fires Regional level Develop a common air quality index and regional fire danger rating system Seek support from countries and institutions with knowledge in fire management systems.

Regional Haze Action Plan: 

Regional Haze Action Plan Occurrence of 1997 fires and haze were an indication that the Cooperation Plan had failed. The problem was due to lack of implementation. The Regional Haze Action Plan adopted in December 1997. Primary emphasis still on national plans and capabilities, but had included a procedure for the pooling of fire fighting resources for regional fire-fighting operations. Doubt still prevails on ASEAN’s capability as an organisation to supply omissions of the Indonesian national system.

After the Fires & Haze of 1998: 

After the Fires & Haze of 1998 1998 Fire fighting Arrangements for Kalimantan & Sumatra/Riau (Indonesia) to be drawn up. Indonesia to lay down framework for ASEAN Research and Training Centre for Land and Forest Fire Management in Central Kalimantan Weekly meeting of Environment Officials Beyond 1998 No prolonged recurrence of the haze leads to a drop in attention to issue. 2001: Experts’ suggestion of the return of the El Nino Phenomenon & therefore the fires and haze, has brought the issue back on the environmental agenda.

Northeast Asian Cooperation: 

Northeast Asian Cooperation Methods of cooperation are varied. Involving a wide range of state and non-state actors (Experts, Finance Institutions, Businesses, Governments) Ongoing Programmes: Northeast Asian Sub-regional Programme on Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC) Northeast Asian Conference on Environmental Cooperation (NEAC) Meeting of Senior Officials on Environmental Cooperation in Northeast Asia (SOM) Acid Deposition Network in East Asia (EANET) China-Japan-Korea Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting Expert Meeting for Long Range Transboundary Air Pollutants in Northeast Asia

Programmes: 

Programmes 1) Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) - Formally agreed upon in 1998 - Designed to include 10 countries - Slow progress, the effectiveness of EANET is still to be seen 2) China-Korea-Japan Ministerial Meetings - First talks in 1999 - China’s participation crucial. - Emphasis placed on raising awareness , promoting cooperation, exchanging information and research 3) Regional Air Pollution Information and Simulation (RAINS) - Funded by Asian Development Bank and World Bank - Creation of modelling policy tool, RAINS-ASIA - Followed up with a technical assistance program with UNEP

Bilateral and Extra Regional Programmes: 

Bilateral and Extra Regional Programmes United States US-China Policy Forum on Policy & Development Russia Japan City Twinning Japan-China Environmental Developmental Model City Plan European Countries

How ASEAN can Improve: 

Treaty Making for Transboundary Issues Broadening the Issues Specific Targets: National Standards and the Golden Rule Cooperation: widening the Review Process Reconciling Norms and Strengthening Institutions The Norm of Non-Intervention Joint Fire Fighting and Confidence Building Measures Official Recognition of Cost Strengthening ASEAN Secretariat Capacity Linking Environment and Economic Policy 3. Private Initiatives Getting NGOs involved Privatising Conflict Private Sector Efforts How ASEAN can Improve

Improving NE Asian Cooperation: 

Improving NE Asian Cooperation Transfer of efficient and clean technologies Decouples energy consumption increases from emissions of sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides Switching to renewables Need for bilateral and multilateral aid Laws and Harmonization Atmospheric Pollution Control Law of 1987 Policy Making, Implementation, Monitoring and Regulation Developing common standards and goals for environmental management The People and the Private Sector Internal pressures from civil society Businesses as initiators and beneficiaries of cleaner technology usage. Domestic reasons to drive actions rather than international reasons.

Conclusion: 

Suggestions are a ‘menu’ of possibilities Approaches to problems of transboundary pollution can be: a) litigious b) technical c) cooperative (favoured) Government decision makers are the key variable to the success of the various plans undertaken. Important: their approach is not just acceptable but able to solve the problem at hand. Raising the liability issue. Incorporating Non State actors: NGOs, private sector and civil society. A potential change of the traditional ASEAN/ Asian approach? Conclusion

Slide21: 

Transboundary problems like the Indonesian fires and haze are similar to the Northeast Asian acid rain problem. The issues that underscore the difficulties in addressing them are interstate cooperation, legal recourse for transboudary harms and the participation of civil society groups and NGOs. Solution? “Social and political frameworks in Asia must be strengthened and greater room allowed for non-governmental participation and attention to cross border and global concerns.”