Why has the Asean haze pact failed to prevent recurring transboundary pollution?

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The Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution has been in effect for over two decades without fully preventing recurring transboundary pollution due to a perceived lack of robust enforcement and a reactive rather than preventive approach.

Despite the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution being signed in June 2002 and entering into force in 2003, the region continues to experience recurring fires, cross-border smoke, and deteriorating air quality. Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has called for an urgent high-level review of the agreement, advocating for a stronger, time-bound, and enforceable regional action plan to shift from a reactive stance to one focused on prevention. The haze crisis is viewed as a multifaceted problem encompassing governance, environmental, and public health responsibilities, rather than solely a weather-related issue.
Lack of Measurable Targets and Accountability

A key aspect of the agreement's perceived shortcomings is the absence of clear, measurable targets for fire prevention and the reduction of hotspots. Furthermore, there is a call for enhanced accountability for companies or individuals responsible for open burning and illegal land clearing. The current framework appears to lack effective mechanisms for investigation, evidence-sharing, and enforcement when fires result in cross-border damage, suggesting a gap in holding perpetrators responsible.
Reactive Approach to a Preventable Crisis

The ongoing transboundary haze situation is described as a crisis that can no longer be treated as a mere seasonal inconvenience. There is an urgent need for Asean to move from a reactive mode, addressing the haze after it occurs, to a preventive strategy. This shift requires a more proactive regional preparedness and a commitment to actively mitigate the conditions that lead to widespread fires and subsequent pollution.
Inadequate Regional Response Mechanisms

Lee Lam Thye has proposed the establishment of a permanent regional haze response mechanism. Such a mechanism would ideally involve real-time satellite monitoring and rapid sharing of hotspot information, coupled with joint firefighting capabilities and clearly defined responsibilities during severe haze episodes. The current systems may not be sufficiently integrated or equipped to provide a timely and coordinated response across the region.
Need for Enhanced Cooperation and Transparency

To effectively combat transboundary haze, Asean countries are urged to establish joint prevention and early-warning systems in anticipation of dry seasons. Strengthening cooperation on peatland and forest management is also crucial, alongside improving transparency in the sharing of information related to hotspots, fire sources, and enforcement actions. This suggests that current levels of inter-country collaboration and openness may be insufficient.

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Why has the Asean haze pact failed to prevent recurring transboundary pollution?

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