by admin | Jul 26, 2015 | Blog, MYD2015
Day 2 Recap!
By Merryn Chong (MYD15)
Moving into day two at the ASEAN Power Shift! The Malaysian delegates started the day early with a brief meeting on what to look forward in drafting the National Position Paper in the policy track with other delegates. While that happened, the other session was focused on knowledge track in policy, media and communications and creative activism.
Policy track is an avenue where delegates from ASEAN meet and engage in deeper discussion, to voice out their stand and to achieve a consensus on what to include in the draft before submitting our position paper. Four main topics are being looked into, adaptation, mitigation, capacity building and climate finance. During the policy track, we listened to concerns and suggestions from delegates of the 10 ASEAN countries. It was an interesting yet challenging session as everyone has different point of reference and understanding towards the topic being discussed. One of the biggest take away from the policy track is that we learned so much more about the problems that our neighboring countries are facing. After listening to other perspective, we discussed the possible efforts that could be made to solve problems.
On the other hand, knowledge tracks comprise of talks presented on various topics related to climate change. There were many enriching presentation that were carried out, covering topics such as climate change and food security in Southeast Asia, creative activism, understanding INDC and what it means to ASEAN, utilizing art into environmental activism, leveraging social media to create change, media and communication, and restoring carbon sink as a mitigation measures. Experts from respective fields had an engaging session with the audience. Questions from students, activists, volunteers and concerned citizen were raised and it provided a fresh perspective in the subject discussed.
The last session of the day was a plenary lecture of Tri-partite strategy in ASEAN towards combating climate change. The knowledge, experience and expertise of representative from government, private sector and non-governmental party were shared to the participants and delegates. We were introduced to the utilization of green building designs, sustainable urban planning, youth effort in environmental effort, the inclusion of environmental protection activities in school, and governmental support against climate change action in Singapore. There was also an emphasis on individual effort in creating cumulative impact in our countries, Earth hour was an example raised frequently in creating action.
The Malaysian delegates ended the day with a group meeting to further discuss on their views and thoughts on their respective daily learning experience, be it in policy or knowledge track. We talked about areas to further enhance and improve on policy track tomorrow, to hopefully produce a well-represented youth position paper. It was definitely a productive day of learning and working with everyone!
#MYD15 – Malaysian Youth Delegation – Malaysian youth climate movement at international United Nations climate conferences, UNFCCC, participants will be mentored and hold engagements with various climate expert bodies and dialogue with Malaysian policy makers and negotiators.
#ASEANPOWERSHIFT – A conference gathering youths from 10 ASEAN countries with the focus on finding pragmatic and possible solutions to tackle climate change and empower youths with creative skills and knowledge to initiate their own actions.
by admin | Jul 25, 2015 | Blog, MYD2015
How lucky that the nine Malaysians youths are to be able to join the first ever ASEAN Power Shift happening in Singapore. While everyone is busy mingling around and gaining new knowledge from the various activities and sessions organized, the day quickly came to an end.
The first daily update is brought to you by our one and only Mohammad Shakirin Bin Shahrul Jamal or rather just Shak for short.
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by admin | Jul 23, 2015 | Blog, MYD2015
We are the MYD!
By Rachel Loh & Chua Wan Ji
MYD or The Malaysian Youth Delegation is made up of 23 youths who hail from Malaysia, just like you and me. They are just like Abu and Ah Chai or Siti and Kumar or Mei mei and Jane… you get the idea. The point that needs to be emphasized here is that, we are no children of rock stars or the VVIP, we do not possess any superhuman powers, and no, we are not rich nor influential like the Stark’s family.
The MYD was formed because each of us carried something small and invisible within us–a burning pinch of determination and passion to create a just, safe, and livable future for all. We pay attention to issues closed to heart such the climate, the environment and the carbon footprints left by the generations alive today. There is no doubt that many others agree on advocating for climate change and the environment, in fact, there are even more that are working in the same direction as where we are heading. For us, we want to be the voice that sings the song in everyone’s heart. By taking the initiative and lead, we want to encourage others to join in the fight for a sustainable future.
Ever since the official announcement of our success in the selection to join the MYD, we have held meetings and trainings, carried out surveys and even attended an interview with Traxx FM, a local radio station! We do all this because we wish to do a terrific job in presenting to you LIVE UPDATES at national conferences such as the ASEAN Power Shift 2015 that is happening tomorrow! Not only that, we want to do an awesome coverage of the pre-event, during-event and even post-event of the United Nations climate conferences, UNFCCC in Paris , France. We are acting in solidarity with frontline communities in Malaysia and across the globe to seek solutions to some of the biggest challenges humanity has ever faced.
While we strive to sharpen our skills in various fields (e.g. marketing, editing, fundraising, etc.) to bring the best stories to you, not only you can stay tune to our stories on this website, you can share them with your friends and family on your Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms to spread the awareness. If you want to gain some experience in what we do and learn a tip or two, join us during our training series organized by Power Shift Malaysia!
It is cruel fight against rapid development and massive environmental destruction, but with your full support, we can stand tall and proud in the eyes of the world and fight braver than ever to pursue justice for all that is suffering from the effects of climate change.
p/s: Remember to stay tune to our daily updates on ASEAN Power Shift (APS) happening 24-26th of July and keep the discussion active! Send us any questions you have to our Twitter account @Powershiftmsia or comment below and we will try to get it answered as soon as possible!
Also, we would like to thank everyone who has shown us their great support in everything that we do, including the recent survey to gather opinions about Climate Change. We have produced a report summary of our findings and it will be used during the Policy Track at APS! Once again, a sincere THANK YOU to all!
Before we forget, let’s introduce the members of MYD at APS!
Bottom row (from left): Rachel Loh, Amalen Sathananthar, Lai Yoke Hwa (Thomas), Merryn Chong Top row (from left): Chua Wan Ji, Low Pau Ling (Roxanne), Tan Mei Peng (Jolene), Mohammad Shakirin Bin Shahrul Jamal, FK Bella Septiarani, Oi Yen Tse (Emily),
You can also view our personal profiles here.
#MYD15 – Malaysian Youth Delegation – Malaysian youth climate movement at international United Nations climate conferences, UNFCCC, participants will be mentored and hold engagements with various climate expert bodies and dialogue with Malaysian policy makers and negotiators.
#ASEANPOWERSHIFT – A conference gathering youths from 10 ASEAN countries with the focus on finding pragmatic and possible solutions to tackle climate change and empower youths with skills and knowledge to initiate their own actions.
by admin | Jul 19, 2015 | Knowledge, MYD2015, UNFCCC, YOUNGO
More often than not, youths are perceived to be incapable, illiterate and immature to be able to make proper decisions. However, one particular youth organization network called YOUNGO is the group that you can entrust to make informed decisions in the UNFCCC intergovernmental process. This is the bunch of youths who holds true to being the guardian of our planet earth and will stand strong in protecting it for the future generation. Each and every YOUNGO member do not simply represent a single nation but they represent the global youth community fighting against climate change as a unity.
Photocredits by tcktcktck.org
“I represent all future generations yet to be born.”
“I represent the billions of children to be born before 2050.”
“I represent over 50% of the world’s population alive today.”
So please do not neglect us.
Continue reading to learn more about YOUNGO, the official youth constituency at UNFCCC.
Introducting YOUNGO
By Thomas Lai Yoke Hwa (MYD15)
Youth (Children and young people) are believed to be the key players in reaching innovative, inspiring and ambitious climate change solution. In fact, youth have been actively involved in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since COP 5 in Bonn.
To date, the idea of youth constituency status was first discussed at COP10 in Buenos Aires. Prior to Conferences of Parties (COP 15), the secretariat granted a provisional observer constituency status to admit youth non-governmental organisations (YOUNGO). As per definition by the UNFCCC secretariat, constituency has a functional role in the climate change negotiation process as a management tool. This status allow youth not only to strengthen their presence during negotiations process but also take part in it as a stakeholder. To make thing clear, YOUNGO is not an organisation but rather an official youth constituency status in UNFCCC. The objective of YOUNGO is youth empowerment
As a constituency, YOUNGO is given the opportunity to address the plenary and high level segment of a COP/CMP. YOUNGO have additional privileges to make official statements and provide technical and policy inputs to negotiation groups during the plenaries. They also invited to attend workshops taking place in between sessions and meet with officials of the Convention such as Chairs of the subsidiary bodies and the COP Presidency.
YOUNGO play an important role in becoming the conduit for the exchange of official information between youth and the secretariat. Focal points are representatives in charge of communicating with the secretariat of the UNFCCC on behalf of youth during negotiation. Besides, YOUNGO assisted the secretariat in ensuring an effective youth participation to an intergovernmental meeting. Besides, it also promote youth participation in specific projects at the local and national levels such as education, mitigation, adaptation and technology transfer. It also coordinated young people’s interaction at sessions including convening constituency meetings, organising meetings with officials, providing names for the speakers list and representation at official function
Starting in COP 11/CMP 1, youth have organised meetings called “Conferences of Youth (COY)” prior to the sessions of the COP/CMP. The annual COY provides a solidarity platform to bring young people from around the world to learn about UNFCCC, building networks and equip themselves in building capacity in participating in the UNFCCC negotiation process. COY is the main summit of the YOUNGO constituency. COY 11 will be held at 26th November 2015
Aside from COY, the youth continue to engage in the negotiation process through various activities. YOUNGO co-organises Young and Future Generation’s Day during the COP/CMP which will feature a series of youth-led events, exhibits, interviews, media stunts and etc. These events provide opportunities for the youth to showcase their project implemented, present a report they have written and even performing arts.
Last but not least, youth participation has brought moral and equity based values as well as transparency to the negotiations.
Photocredits by peoplesclimate.org
References
by admin | Jul 17, 2015 | Knowledge, MYD2015, UNFCCC
In a few more months, the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) will determine how we move forward to address climate change as a nation. You may be thinking, how is dealing with climate change more important that dealing with the issue of corruption and political unrest in this country. This is because by the end of the upcoming UNFCCC happening this December, it will be a world-wide effort or rather a long term global effort to resume the responsibility in protecting our planet earth and achieve a sustainable future. Nonetheless, with the understanding that, you may still have the opinion of there are other issues more in need of our country’s attention, the only thing implied here is that this INDCs that our nation will submit publicly SHOULD NOT be taken lighter than the issue on corruption and political unrest.
Get your explanation on INDCs in the articles below by Amalen Sathananthar and Mohammad Shakirin Bin Shahrul Jamal.
Photocredit: www.cakex.org
What is INDCs?
By Amalen Sathananthar (MYD15)
In preparation to create a new international climate agreement via the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris in December 2015, participating countries, parties have agreed to publicly outline what post-2020 climate actions they intend to take under a new international agreement, known as their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). The INDCs will largely determine whether the world achieves an ambitious 2015 agreement and is put on a path toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient future. All INDCs submitted to the Secretariat by October 1st will be included in a synthesis report prepared by the UNFCCC Secretariat that will be released by November 1st. The report will reflect the aggregate emissions impact of available INDCs ahead of COP21.
What exactly is it?
A country’s INDC indicates to the world that the country is doing its part to combat climate change and limit future climate risks. In their INDCs, UNFCCC Parties are requested to outline the steps they are taking/will take to reduce emissions at the national level. Most INDCs pairs national policy-setting and a global framework to determine their collective contributions in the context of their national priorities, circumstances and capabilities towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
It is important that countries follow a transparent process when preparing their INDC in order for the trust and accountability with domestic and international stakeholders be built. A good INDC should be ambitious, leading to transformation in carbon-intensive sectors and industry; transparent, so that stakeholders can track progress and ensure countries meet their stated goals; and equitable, so that each country does its fair share to address climate change. Essentially, INDCs must be clearly communicated so that domestic and international stakeholders can anticipate how these actions will contribute to global emissions reductions and climate resilience in the future.
References
Well, you see, all nations involved in the COP21 in Paris 2015, they should prepare and submit their INDCs before the Conference. On 3rd of July 2015, our close neighboring country, Singapore submitted their Climate Action Plan along with other countries such as Switzerland, Russia, Andorra, Mexico, Liechtenstein, Serbia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Morocco and many others. With that said, Malaysia certainly won’t want to be left behind.
Photocredit: www.theclimategroup.org
Continue reading more about INDCs from Shakirin Bin Shahrul Jamal (MYD15)
When will we see them?
What makes a good INDC?
Well-designed INDCs will signal to the world that the country is doing its part to combat climate change and limit future climate risks. Countries should follow a transparent process when preparing their INDC in order to build trust and accountability with domestic and international stakeholders. A good INDC should be ambitious, leading to transformation in carbon-intensive sectors and industry; transparent, so that stakeholders can track progress and ensure countries meet their stated goals; and equitable, so that each country does its fair share to address climate change. It is important that INDCs be clearly communicated so domestic and international stakeholders can anticipate how these actions will contribute to global emissions reductions and climate resilience in the future.
An INDC should also articulate how the country is integrating climate change into other national priorities, such as sustainable development and poverty reduction, and send signals to the private sector to contribute to these efforts.
What is World Resources Institute (WRI) doing on this topic?
WRI is working on a variety of projects that aim to assist governments in preparing INDCs and help stakeholders understand and evaluate INDCs:
The Open Climate Network is working with partners in eight focus countries to evaluate current emissions trends and abatement potential out to 2030, with a view to informing initial INDCs. Following the release of the INDCs, OCN and its partners will evaluate mitigation pledges based on insights from the GHG Protocol and other tools. This data will provide critical information to decision-makers in the world’s largest economies that will enable the development of ambitious GHG reduction targets in their INDCs.
In partnership with the UNDP, WRI is working on an INDC guidance document that will support the detailed design and preparation of INDCs, including for mitigation and adaptation components and explanations of fairness and ambition.
WRI also works on INDCs through our Open Book initiative that enhances INDC transparency. The ACT 2015 project works to catalyze agreement at COP21, including the ways in which countries’ commitments and other actions from their INDCs are finalized and linked to the 2015 agreement. Our CAIT Paris Contributions Map tracks and analyzes INDCs as countries submit them.
Reference
If this INDCs will determine the future of Malaysia, perhaps we need to stand up and voice out our opinion on in direction Malaysia should progress. We should make sure that this matter is taken seriously to ensure that Malaysia will be put on the right path forward rather than continue to regress.
