It's Brunei B

Country: Brunei Darussalam

Topic Area: New and Renewable Energy: Solution to Worlds Energy Problem

Committee: General Assembly

Nowadays, the world climate changes unpredictably. A hot weather is happening now, though all of sudden the sky is going dark covered by clouds, and rains. There is no certain distinction between dry and wet season. In the subtropical area, the temperature rises and drops unsteadily. Those volatile conditions cause the melting of glacier and may raise the water level.

Causes

Global warming has become the current issue throughout the world recently. The climate changes trigger scientist from any countries to discover alternative energy which do not have or at least have only minimum carbon emission. Moreover, as the technology development is getting more sophisticated, and so is energy demand from people in the universe. The high energy demand from people is in opposite to energy source. Scientists strive to conceive new and renewable energy source dealing with the scarcity problem. However, the energy source should also green and safe for environment. There are some choices such as biofuels, ocean (wave or tidal) power, geothermal power, hydroelectric power, solar energy, and wind power. Yet, not all alternative energy sources are suitable for every country.

Policies

Ensuring environmental sustainability is one of Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) which has been endorsed in UN Millenium Summit in year 2000. Brunei Darussalam has also ratified it and run it as one of its foreign policy. Related to the environmental sustainability issue, it has signed Kyoto Protocol since August 20, 2009. It also has joined the International Renewable Energy Agencies on June 23, 2009. The development of the alternative energy industry in Brunei enjoys strong support from His Majesty’s government. A clear manifestation of Brunei’s commitment was revealed in 2009 with the initiation of construction works on what will be South East Asia’s largest photovoltaic solar power plant with a capacity of 1.2MW. The project is being spearheaded by the Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan, in close cooperation with the relevant government agencies and is expected to upgrade HR capabilities and develop local knowledge and expertise in photovoltaic technology; including a wide-range of training programs and technology transfer.

Solutions

Since every country has their own geographical characteristic, they have to choose which one of those alternative energy sources is suitable for its condition. In Brunei Darussalam, the alternative energy power plants possibly running on hydroelectric, solar and clean coal. With a long history of oil and gas production, Brunei is now looking to open up new frontiers and develop industries and capabilities in alternative energies. Abundant deposits of silica sand available in Brunei have been conducive to the development of a hub for solar cell and module production. Equally available are coal deposits currently being studied and are expected to open up further opportunities for the development of clean coal projects. As the 4th largest oil producer in ASEAN and the 9th largest exporter of LNG in the world, Brunei is ideally positioned to develop a bio-fuels refining industry in the region.