Upcoming environment meet to focus on climate change issues
Eleena Teoh
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Friday, April 19, 2013
Programs Manager of Asia Inc Forum Delwin Keasberry (R), Michael Dale (C) from TOTAL and Elizawaty Kamaruddin (L) from HSBC during the National Environment Conference 2013 press conference held by Asia Inc Forum at Mutiara II, Radisson Hotel in the capital yesterday. Picture: BT/Yusri Adanan
Organised by Asia Inc Forum, the sixth annual conference at the Empire Hotel and Country Club on June 4, will carry the theme: “Responding to Climate Change: How can Brunei Darussalam make a difference?”.
The conference will discuss the issues and challenges of global warming, the role technology can play in sustainable development, how young people can make a difference and practical strategies for reducing carbon footprints — greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organisation, event, product or person.
An Asia Inc Forum statement said foreign speakers attending the conference include Tri Mumpuni from Indonesia, Von Hernandez from the Philippines and David Vincent from the United Kingdom.
The conference will also serve as a platform for “engaging the government and private sector in the issues of environmental stewardship and a green economy for a sustainable future”.
Tri Mumpuni will conduct a dialogue on strategic energy options under the theme “Clean Energy for a Brighter Future”, followed by an open forum attended by representatives from the business community and the public sector by asking: “How feasible is renewable energy? How relevant is renewable energy to Brunei’s energy future?”
Von Hernandez will then discuss strategic partnerships involving the government, the private sector and the community at large, under the theme “Responding to Climate Change: The need for New Partnerships and Alliances”.
In the final session, David Vincent will discuss practical strategies for reducing carbon footprints and “How does a low carbon economy fit in the context of the sustainable development of Brunei? Why does it matter? What strategies have been successful abroad? What policies will make it work?”
A “Green Expo” will also be held alongside the conference, where global and local industry leaders and the public will be able to meet, contact, network, exchange goods, services, knowledge and experiences.
The expo this year will showcase global resources for the environment, energy, water, recycling, sustainable living and green technology. It will also look at promoting sustainable consumerism in Brunei.
A number of schools will also take part in the “Billion Dollar Challenge” in the lead up to the conference, where students will be asked how they would use a billion dollars to solve the most critical problems facing the world.
Tri Mumpuni is an Indonesian agriculture engineer who founded the not-for-profit People Centred Economic and Business Institute. She actively campaigns to replace diesel power generation with renewable energy in her country.
Von Hernandez, the executive director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, is an environmental activist who has led a number of campaigns in the Philippines.
David Vincent, is head of the British Foreign Office’s Southeast Asia Climate Change Network, and works with ASEAN countries on climate change and energy.
The Brunei Times
Source: http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2013/04/19/upcoming-environment-meet-focus-climate-change-issues