Transboundary Haze: Smoke from Indonesian forest and peatland fires has affected Brunei and other Southeast Asian countries. Indonesian environmental group Walhi is preparing legal action against Malaysian and Singaporean plantation firms, while regional calls for stronger enforcement highlight the limits of ASEAN’s 2002 haze agreement. Borneo Wildlife: Rescuers say baby orangutan Irene was found thin and stressed after fires damaged her forest habitat, underscoring the threat to endangered wildlife across Borneo. AI and the Environment: A regional survey found views divided on AI’s environmental impact. Calls are growing for data centres to disclose their energy and water use and shift towards cleaner power.
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Wildlife Rescue: Baby orangutan Irene, found thin and distressed in a fire-ravaged Borneo forest, is drawing attention to the threat months-long fires pose to endangered orangutans. Haze Accountability: Indonesian NGO Walhi is preparing legal action against Malaysian and Singaporean plantation firms it says may be linked to the fires, while citing weak regional rules as a barrier to holding parent companies responsible. Regional Haze: Smoke from Indonesian forest and peatland fires has affected Brunei and other Southeast Asian countries, disrupting daily life and harming health. ASEAN’s haze agreement, signed 24 years ago, still lacks strong enforcement.
Transboundary Haze: Indonesian environmental group Walhi is preparing legal action against Malaysian and Singapore-linked plantation companies over alleged ties to fires driving toxic smoke across the region, including Brunei. ASEAN Accountability: After 24 years, ASEAN’s haze treaty still lacks a strong enforcement mechanism, while fires continue to trigger health problems, school closures and travel disruption. AI and the Environment: A regional survey found views split on AI’s environmental impact; experts are urging governments to require data centres to disclose their energy and water use.
Regional Haze: Indonesian forest and peat fires have sent toxic smoke across Southeast Asia, including Brunei. The crisis, worsened by dry El Niño conditions, has brought hazardous air, school closures and flight disruption in neighboring countries. ASEAN Accountability: After 24 years, the bloc’s haze agreement still lacks a legally established coordinating centre and stronger enforcement measures, leaving recurring fires and cross-border pollution unresolved. Energy Transition: ASEAN’s latest energy outlook projects emissions will remain 22% above 2024 levels by 2050 even under its lowest-emissions scenario, and drops a pathway based on net-zero pledges. Brunei’s higher oil and gas revenues offer a chance to invest in a more diversified, resilient economy.
Transboundary Haze: Indonesian forest and peatland fires have sent smoke across Southeast Asia, including Brunei. ASEAN’s haze treaty remains weakly enforced 24 years after signing, while this month’s regional crisis brought hazardous air, school closures and calls for tougher action against companies linked to fires. Brunei Energy: A global energy-price windfall is lifting Brunei’s near-term outlook, but analysts say it also offers a chance to build fiscal resilience and diversify beyond oil and gas. Shirley Sikun’s appointment to lead the Energy Department’s portfolio and strategy office puts energy transition among Brunei’s key policy priorities. Regional Emissions: ASEAN’s latest energy outlook projects emissions will still rise by about 22% above 2024 levels by 2050, even under its lowest-emissions pathway. Sustainability Leadership: Bruneian youth leader Muhammad Fadli Awang Zaini was named the youngest and sole international judge at Malaysia’s 2026 Sustainable Development Awards.
Transboundary Haze: Smoke from Indonesian forest and peat fires has spread across Southeast Asia, including Brunei, disrupting daily life and prompting school closures in parts of the region. ASEAN’s haze agreement, signed in 2002, still lacks a legally active coordinating centre and stronger implementation measures, renewing calls for lasting action and accountability. Regional Emissions: ASEAN’s latest energy outlook projects emissions around 22% above 2024 levels by 2050 even under its lowest-emissions pathway. The report dropped a scenario based on members’ net-zero pledges. Brunei’s Energy Transition: Higher oil and gas prices are boosting Brunei’s revenues, but the windfall also highlights the risks of relying on hydrocarbons. An AMRO report says the stronger outlook offers a chance to build fiscal resilience and advance economic diversification.
Regional Haze: Indonesian forest and peat fires are sending smoke across Southeast Asia, including Brunei. Dry, hot El Niño conditions have worsened the fires, while calls grow for stronger regional action and accountability for companies linked to land burning. Brunei Sustainability: Youth leader Muhammad Fadli bin Haji Awang Zaini was named the youngest and sole international judge for Malaysia’s 2026 Sustainable Development Awards, bringing a Bruneian perspective to judging projects aligned with the UN goals. ASEAN Emissions: The region’s latest energy outlook projects emissions in its lowest-emissions scenario will still be about 22% above 2024 levels by 2050. Unlike the previous edition, it drops a pathway based on members’ net-zero pledges.
Brunei Sustainability: Bruneian youth leader Muhammad Fadli Awang Zaini was named the youngest and sole international judge on the panel for Malaysia’s 2026 Sustainable Development Awards, bringing a Bruneian perspective to evaluations of projects tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Regional Haze: Fires in Indonesia have spread smoke across Southeast Asia, including Brunei, as dry, hot conditions intensify the crisis. Regional coverage links major haze episodes to strong El Niño years and calls for coordinated action and accountability for companies responsible for fires. ASEAN Emissions: The region’s lowest-emissions energy pathway still projects energy-related emissions about 22% above 2024 levels by 2050; the latest ASEAN outlook also drops a scenario based on members’ net-zero pledges.
Bruneian Sustainability: Youth leader Muhammad Fadli bin Haji Awang Zaini was named the youngest and sole international judge on Malaysia’s 2026 Sustainable Development Awards panel, assessing projects for their social impact and long-term sustainability. Regional Haze: Indonesian forest and peat fires have sent smoke across Southeast Asia, including Brunei, in the region’s worst haze crisis in more than a decade. The pollution has fueled respiratory illness and disrupted flights; regional calls are growing for stronger cooperation and action against companies responsible for fires. Climate Outlook: ASEAN’s lowest-emissions pathway still projects energy-related emissions around 22% above 2024 levels by 2050, and the latest outlook no longer includes a scenario based on members’ net-zero pledges. Sustainable Business: Brunei is hosting ASEAN meetings on helping small businesses adopt sustainable practices and reach new markets.
Transboundary Haze: Indonesian forest and peat fires, worsened by dry El Niño conditions and slash-and-burn clearing, have sent toxic smoke across Southeast Asia, including Brunei. The worst regional haze crisis in more than a decade has brought unhealthy air, respiratory illness, school closures and flight disruption. ASEAN is being urged to build a lasting joint response and hold companies responsible. Brunei’s Green Economy: ASEAN meetings hosted in Bandar Seri Begawan this week put sustainable practices on the agenda for small businesses, alongside digitalisation and market access. Regional Energy Outlook: ASEAN’s lowest-emissions pathway still projects energy-related emissions about 22% above 2024 levels by 2050; the latest outlook no longer includes a scenario based on members’ net-zero pledges.
Regional Haze: Smoke from Indonesian forest and land fires has spread to Brunei and other neighbours, worsening air pollution across the region. Fires have also disrupted flights in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, while Singapore is considering joint action against companies suspected of responsibility. Energy Outlook: ASEAN’s latest energy outlook projects energy-related emissions will still be 22% above 2024 levels by 2050, even under its lowest-emissions scenario. The report replaces a net-zero pledge pathway with scenarios based on current trends, national policies and regional measures. Waste Management: Brunei has signed agreements with service providers to start house-to-house waste collection under the national housing scheme, supporting the government’s plan for more sustainable solid waste management.
Transboundary Haze: Smoke from Indonesian forest and land fires is affecting Brunei and disrupting flights in the region. Malaysia’s Syed Saddiq says companies responsible should be held accountable regardless of nationality. Indonesia is also testing dry-ice cloud seeding to lift smoke trapped by an atmospheric inversion, while EU aid will help drought-hit communities access clean water and health support. Regional Emissions: ASEAN’s latest energy outlook projects emissions in its lowest-emissions scenario to remain about 22% above 2024 levels by 2050. The outlook no longer includes a pathway based on member states’ net-zero pledges. Waste Services: Brunei has signed agreements with providers to strengthen household waste collection in national housing areas. Sustainable Business: Brunei-hosted ASEAN meetings are discussing ways to help small businesses adopt sustainable practices and reach new markets.
Regional Haze: The EU has pledged US$224,500 for drought-hit Indonesian communities, including clean water and health support amid wildfire smoke. Fires have sent haze across the region, including Brunei; Indonesia’s dry-ice trial in South Sumatra improved visibility near an airport. Brunei Waste: The government has signed agreements with service providers to strengthen household waste collection in national housing areas, advancing its sustainable solid-waste management plans. ASEAN Energy: The region’s latest energy outlook projects emissions will still be 22% above 2024 levels by 2050 even under its lowest-emissions pathway. The outlook also drops a scenario based on countries’ net-zero pledges.
Regional Haze: Indonesian forest and land fires have disrupted flights across the region, with smoke also reaching Brunei. Indonesia is testing dry ice dropped from aircraft to break smoke-trapping air layers; a trial near Palembang improved visibility from 650 to 2,800 metres. Brunei Waste Services: The government has signed agreements with providers to strengthen house-to-house waste collection in national housing areas, supporting a more sustainable solid-waste system. ASEAN Sustainability: Brunei is hosting regional small-business meetings through Oct 23, where officials are discussing support for sustainable practices alongside digitalisation and access to markets.
Regional Haze: Forest and land fires in Indonesia have disrupted flights across the region, with smoke forcing cancellations and affecting visibility. Brunei is among the countries exposed to the haze. Fire Response: Indonesia is testing dry-ice dispersal to break smoke-trapping conditions in South Sumatra; one operation reportedly improved visibility near Palembang airport from 650 metres to 2,800 metres. Brunei Waste Services: The government has signed agreements with providers to strengthen house-to-house waste collection in national housing areas, as part of efforts to build a more sustainable waste management system. ASEAN Cooperation: Brunei is hosting regional MSME meetings through Oct. 23, where participants are discussing support for digitalisation, sustainable practices and access to new markets.
Haze Response: Indonesia is testing dry-ice drops to lift smoke trapped by an atmospheric inversion. A trial near Palembang improved visibility from 650 to 2,800 metres; the campaign runs through late October as wildfire smoke spreads across the region, including towards Brunei. Waste Management: Brunei has signed agreements with service providers to strengthen house-to-house waste collection in national housing areas. Regional Action: Malaysia plans to raise transboundary haze at an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, arguing the pollution is not covered by existing disaster mechanisms.@endsection
Regional Haze: Smoke from Indonesian fires has spread across the region, including Brunei. Malaysia is pressing for stronger action against companies linked to fires, Singapore is considering prosecutions, and ASEAN ministers plan to discuss the recurring crisis. Waste Services: Brunei’s Environment Department has signed agreements with providers for house-to-house rubbish collection in national housing areas, aiming to strengthen the country’s solid-waste management.
Transboundary Haze: Fires in Indonesia have sent smoke across Brunei and other neighbours, deepening regional frustration. ASEAN foreign ministers are expected to discuss the crisis next month, while Singapore is considering action against companies linked to fires. Waste Management: Brunei has signed agreements with providers to strengthen house-to-house rubbish collection in national housing areas, part of efforts to build a more sustainable solid-waste system.
Transboundary Haze: Indonesian wildfires are sending acrid smoke across the region, including Brunei, as neighbouring countries push for action. ASEAN foreign ministers are expected to discuss the crisis next month; Malaysia says haze is not covered by the bloc’s existing natural-disaster mechanisms. Waste Management: Brunei’s Environment, Parks and Recreation Department has signed agreements with service providers to strengthen house-to-house waste collection in national housing areas, supporting the government’s plan for more sustainable solid-waste management.
Transboundary Haze: Indonesian fires have sent acrid smoke across the region, including Brunei. Malaysia plans to raise the recurring crisis with ASEAN foreign ministers, while Singapore is examining possible corporate responsibility for fires. Economic Shift: Brunei’s non-oil and gas share of GDP rose from 46% in 2015 to 55% in 2025, but the increase was largely driven by downstream petroleum and chemicals—not necessarily lower-carbon industries. Waste Management: Brunei has signed agreements with providers to strengthen house-to-house waste collection in national housing areas and build a more sustainable solid-waste system. Clean Energy: A regional energy report places Brunei in ASEAN’s “foundational” group for renewable-energy integration, with regulatory and market barriers still limiting battery storage.
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