From September 2024 to February 2025, Green Brunei embarked on an ambitious and transformative journey to restore one of the nation’s most vital ecosystems—the peat swamp forests. Funded by the prestigious ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge, organised by UNDP Indonesia, ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Government of Japan, this initiative marked a significant step forward in environmental conservation and climate action in Brunei Darussalam.
Why Peat Swamp Restoration Matters
Peat swamp forests are among the most valuable ecosystems on the planet. They act as natural carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and helping to mitigate climate change. These unique habitats are also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, many of which are endangered or endemic to the region. However, peat swamps are under threat from deforestation, drainage, and land conversion, leading to biodiversity loss and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
By restoring these ecosystems, Green Brunei aimed to:
- Combat Climate Change: Restored peat swamps can sequester carbon more effectively, reducing Brunei’s carbon footprint.
- Protect Biodiversity: Reviving these habitats provides a safe haven for endangered species and promotes ecological balance.
- Enhance Community Resilience: Healthy peat swamps play a crucial role in water regulation, reducing the risk of floods and droughts for local communities.
The Peat Swamp Restoration Project: A Closer Look
Over the course of six months, Green Brunei worked tirelessly to rehabilitate degraded peat swamp areas in the Anduki Forest Reserve, parts of which were destroyed by forest fires. The project focused on revitalising the area through a combination of reforestation, education, and community engagement.
Key Achievements:
- Reforestation Efforts:
- 500 Kapur Paya Trees Planted: Green Brunei successfully planted 500 native kapur paya trees across 0.11 hectares of land. These trees are well-suited to peat swamp environments and play a critical role in restoring the ecosystem.
- Carbon Sequestration Potential: Over the next 60 years, these 500 trees have the potential to absorb 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide, making a significant contribution to Brunei’s climate goals.
- Educational Visits:
- 11 School Groups Participated: A total of 317 students and 33 teachers from 11 schools visited the Tropical Biodiversity Centre to learn about Brunei’s forests and biodiversity. These visits were designed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and deepen their understanding of the importance of peat swamps.
- Social Media Campaigns:
- Raising Awareness: Green Brunei leveraged platforms like Instagram and TikTok to educate the public about the importance of peat swamps. Through engaging content, the campaigns reached a wide audience, spreading awareness about the environmental benefits of peat swamps and the need for their protection.
- Collaborative Support:
- The project was made possible through the support of key partners, including the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, as well as the Department of Schools under the Ministry of Education. Their collaboration ensured the project’s success and highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation in environmental conservation.
ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge
60 teams from ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste were selected as winners of the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge. The award recipients underwent 7 weeks of training and mentoring by UNDP Indonesia, followed by a 3-day business matching event in Jakarta.
Brunei Darussalam was represented by four teams, which also included Poni Group, Fatih Aquaculture and Universiti Teknologi Brunei.
A Collaborative Effort for a Greener Future
The Peat Swamp Restoration Project was made possible through the generous support of the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge, a platform that recognises and funds innovative solutions to environmental challenges in the ASEAN region. This initiative, endorsed by the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, implemented by UNDP Indonesia and funded by the Government of Japan, underscored the importance of regional cooperation in addressing global environmental issues.
Green Brunei is proud to have been part of this collaborative effort and remains committed to its mission of promoting environmental sustainability and youth engagement in conservation.