UNFCCC. Image was taken from: http://unfccc.int/2860.php
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is one of the three multilateral environmental treaties, which was signed at the Earth Summit that was held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. This has earned it the name of “Rio Convention”. Although its implementation had only begun on the 21st of March 1994.
The main aim of the UNFCCC is to ensure “stabilisation greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”1 Such levels should be achieved whereby the given period of time determined should account and be sufficient for the natural recovery and adaptation of ecosystems in response to climate change, the threats available to the production of food and the sustainability of economic development.
Also, the UNFCCC functions as a framework for the global collaborative efforts of countries in their pursuit of combating climate change. Furthermore, developed countries have to bear the responsibility of leading the movement. The UNFCCC also took precedence in setting measures to ensure rates of economic sustainability are balanced out by climate change mitigation. Thus, it has sparked the beginning of formal consideration for climate change adaptation in the world.
Message from UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres. Image was taken from: http://unfccc.int/secretariat/items/1629.php
During the time of the Convention’s implementation in 1994, 194 countries have agreed to sign the UNFCCC signalling their acknowledgement of climate change as an international issue that is in need of cooperative efforts to overcome. At present, the UNFCCC enjoys near full international membership with 197 Parties who have ratified the Convention, whom are known as Parties to the Convention. Furthermore, the Convention is improved upon via the complementation of Kyoto Protocol that was ratified by 192 parties in 2002.
The treaty is the parent body of Kyoto Protocol. However, unlike the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, it is neither legally binding, nor does it possess mechanisms for enforcement. Decidedly, the mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions for Parties to the Convention are also absent in the Convention.
The Malaysian Youth Delegation (MYD) is a youth climate movement representing the youths of Malaysia under YOUNGO, a constituent within the UNFCCC. As such, members of MYD will be equipped with knowledge of the UNFCCC and have the opportunity to attend the COP (Conference of Parties) annually, address the plenary, High Level Segment of a COP/CMP, make submissions (individual youth organizations also), attend workshops, meet with officials of the Convention such as Chairs of the subsidiary bodies and the COP Presidency.
Written by: Yong Khye Lynn
Edited by: Nicole Lim Pei Pey
The new batch of delegates for Malaysian Youth Delegation 2016 who will be representing Malaysia to COP22 in Marrakesh, Morocco is finally released! A total of 18 fresh faces has been selected to proudly represent Malaysian youths in making a combined effort to combat climate change.
The #MYD is the voice of the Malaysian youths climate movement at the United Nations climate conference. Made up of dedicated and inspiring youth leaders from across the country, the delegation represents the demands of a generation working towards creating a just, safe, and sustainable future for all. COP22 will be another historic conference to continue the momentum of the Paris Agreement last December.
Theme: Paris Agreement – Challenges & Opportunities
Date: Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Time: 9am – 1pm (followed by lunch)
Venue: Hotel Armada Petaling Jaya (opposite Asia Jaya LRT Station)
Programme
Welcome by Engr Gurmit Singh, CETDEM Chairman & Forum Moderator
YB Dato Sri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, Minister of Natural Resources & Environment Malaysia’s perspective of the Paris Agreement
HE Mr Christophe Penot, French Ambassador to Malaysia – Perspectives on behalf of the French Presidency of COP21
Mr Adrian Yeo, Malaysian Youth Delegation #MYD – What do the Youth expect from the Paris Agreement?
Mr Anthony Tan, CETDEM Executive Director – NGO persepective of the Paris Agreement
Dear Parties of the International Civil Aviation Organization, dear Ministers,
We, the undersigned, representing 64 networks, organizations and concerned European Members of the European Parliament from 28 countries, call on you to show bold political leadership and do everything in your power to reach an ambitious, binding, environmentally robust agreement to address aviation emissions in order to contribute to fulfilling the Paris commitment to limit global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels.
International aviation is a top ten global polluter. In 2014, the sector emitted more CO2 into the atmosphere than the combined emissions of the 129 lowest emitting countries, causing an estimated 4.9% of all global warming. Left unaddressed, aviation emissions are expected to grow by up to 300% by 2050, which will breach our global carbon budget and significantly undermine the Paris target.
ICAO’s next General Assembly in October is your best opportunity to make sure aviation does its fair share to tackle climate change, in line with the rest of the world’s efforts. ICAO has taken almost 20 years to get to this point and we cannot afford any further delay.
The global market-based mechanism (GMBM), designed to fulfill the ‘carbon neutral growth 2020’ goal, can only deliver real climate action if you adopt stringent and transparent rules as well as high environmental standards. Consequently, we, the undersigned organisations, call on you to:
Set ambitious targets: ICAO resolution must acknowledge the Paris agreement and recognise the need to pursue urgent efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C. In this regard, the carbon neutral growth 2020 goal must be a binding first step, with provisions to increase ambition over time. In order to preserve the overall goal, any exemptions, e.g. for new entrants or poorer countries, in the GMBM should be compensated by greater emissions reductions by non-exempt participants.
Guarantee environmental integrity: it is of utmost importance that mitigation projects developed to compensate for aviation’s emissions actually deliver real, additional, permanent, verified reductions and fulfill strong environmental and social criteria. Consequently, credit quality criteria for purchasing offset credits should be mandatory for all operators and a negative list banning projects with known negative environmental or social impacts (e.g. large hydro, fossil fuel projects) should be established.
Avoid double counting: the resolution must include provisions for robust accounting and MRV to ensure that credits are not counted multiple times, while being transparent and consistent with efforts and actions taken under the UNFCCC.
Adopt transparent decision making: more transparency will bring more confidence in the measure. Negotiating documents should be made public and options for public participation should be provided.
The ICAO High Level Meeting held in Montreal from May 11 to May 13 will be an important moment for you to discuss the integrity and the ambition of the GMBM. We ask that you keep in mind our requests for a robust GMBM during the discussions.
Sincerely,
List of organisations supporting, by country:
International
Climates
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Transport & Environment
WWF
Australia
Friends of the Earth Australia
Austria
Nature Code
Bangladesh
Aid Organization
Center for Participatory Research and Development -CPRD-
Belgium
Carbon Market Watch
Burkina Faso
Association Faso Enviprotek -AFEP-BURKINA-
Burundi:
Center for Support to Local Initiatives Development and assistance to vulnerable persons -CIDEP BURUNDI-
ABEJEV
APROSANTE
Cameroon
Actions Citoyennes des Volontaires pour l’Emergence du Cameroun en 2035 –ACVEC-2035-
Association Camerounaise pour le Développement, l’Entraide Sociale et la Protection de l’Environnement –ACDESPE-
Cameroon League for Development
Cameroon Youth Initiative for Rural Development –CAMYIRD-
CAMERWASH
Cercle des chrétiens pour la promotion des louanges, l’adoration, le réveil, l’intercession, le témoignage, l’évangélisation et les actions humanitaires -Mission CLARITE
Environmental Protection and Development Association -EPDA-
Education for all Cameroon –EFACAM-
Fondation des Femmes Actives pour la Promotion de l’Education de la Femme et de l’Enfant –FAPEFE-
Global Forestry Conclave and Sustainable Development
Green Horizon
Universal Union for Consumer Protection and Civil Abuse –UNUCOPCA-
Women In Development
Canada
Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique –AQLPA-
Sierra Club Canada Foundation
Colombia
Mujeres del comun
Democratic Republic of Congo
Actions communautaires pour le développement intégral
Republic of the Congo
Association Congolaise pour le Développement Agricole –ACDA-
Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement
Germany
Bread for the World
Naturschutzbund Deutschland –NABU-
Ghana
Abibimman Foundation
Guatemala
Mesa Nacional de Cambio Climático
Hungary
Clean Air Action Group
India
Gujarat Forum on CDM
Manipur Nature Society
Malaysia
#PowerShiftMsia
México
Entornos educativos
Nepal
Global south initiative
The Netherlands
Hivos
Nigeria
Climate Change Network Nigeria
Development Research and Synergy Initiative
International Centre For Women Empowerment & Child Dev –ICWECD-
Poverty Alleviation for the Poor Initiative
Smiles Africa International
Poland
Stowarzyszenie Ekologiczne EKO-UNIA
Polish Climate Coalition
Portugal
Quercus – Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza
Switzerland
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse –INPEA-
COP22 is the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is the main annual meeting of all nations under the UNFCCC to build and strengthen intergovernmental climate policy. COP22 will be from November 7-18, 2016, in Marrakech, Morocco. This year’s COP is deemed as “COP of Action” to build up the momentum after Paris Agreement.
Who is Malaysian Youth Delegation (MYD)?
The Malaysian Youth Delegation (MYD) is the voice of the Malaysian youth climate movement at international United Nations climate conferences, UNFCCC. We strike to represent the demands of a generation working and to advocate for a just, safe, and livable future for all.
What does the delegation do?
Prior to COP22, delegates are expected to undergo trainings and perform other operational work such as fundraising, logistical support, leading on artistic elements of action. Our trainings will cover the 3 primary tracks of MYD: Media, Mobilisation and Advocacy.
Media: maintain our online social media presence, produce knowledge articles before COP, craft MYD newsletter during COP, write press release template, pitch delegation stories to larger media outlets, track media hits
Mobilization: train delegates for how to plan actions in the UN Space, coordinate with other action planning hubs,
Advocacy: tracking policy development in the UNFCCC, train delegates in advocacy aspects of the UNFCCC and the MYD support strategic policy engagements for the delegation through lobbying and other associated efforts.
Delegates will be constantly producing knowledge articles based on the above tracks, and will be published on PowerShift Malaysia website as part of the training. This year, we also aimed to conduct a national climate change survey which acts as the basis of producing a Malaysian youth statement on climate change. Besides, we will have the opportunity to work with government officials, civil society representatives, and youth from around the world, all while organizing direct actions, coordinating media outreach, and lobbying government delegates.
Nevertheless, we are open to new and creative ideas on how our delegation can most effectively push for the world we need!
One of our fund raising and outreach event @ Malaysiaku Rice Festival 2015
MYD Representative giving opening speech on the Promulgation Ceremony of Malaysian Youth Statement on Climate Change 2015 Find out more about the statement: http://powershiftmalaysia.org.my/malaysian-youth-statement-on-climate-change-towards-cop21/
MYD 2015 meeting up with ASEAN Youths @ ASEAN PowerShift.
What are we going to do in COP22?
The selected delegation to COP22 is expected to track the negotiation process and report back to local and online audiences via social media updates and articles writing. You also have the chance to take part in youth-led mobilisations or actions that will be happening in or outside of the venue.
For a better picture, you may read the article collections of MYD 2015 in COP21:
Delegates are expected to begin work around mid-June. Delegates are expected to commit ~5 hours per week on preparations for COP22 from June to October 2016. A crucial aspect of this is participating in bi-weekly conference calls with other delegation members. This time commitment will increase as the negotiations draw closer.
Delegates are strongly encouraged to attend the Conference of Youth 12 (4-6 November 2016), the entire COP22 conference (7-18 November 2016), and a post-conference reflection (19-21 November 2016). We also anticipate hosting a 2-day in-person delegation preparatory training. We will determine the dates and location for this in-person training after the delegation is finalised.
Note that your commitment will fluctuate depending on your role in the team.
MYD facilitating the Asia Regional Breakout Group at Conference of Youth (COY 11) @ Paris prior to COP21.
Who are we looking for?
We welcome any Malaysian youths (age 18-30 by 1st Nov 2016) or youths who are currently based in Malaysia. If you are a Malaysian citizen who is overseas, you are welcomed to apply too!
MYD is hoping to have a diverse team of climate fighters: from action-oriented climate advocators to climate policy geeks and climate storytellers. No prior or minimum requirement is needed, as we believe everyone is here to learn. If you are a risk-taker who is willing to step out from your comfort zone and constantly challenge yourself, we want you!
Do I need to pay for anything?
We will do our very best to make this program financially accessible to all delegates – and with that said, delegates are inevitably responsible for covering their travel, housing, and food expenses. MYD and PowerShift Malaysia will work to secure grants, hold fundraisers, and help raise money to cover trip expenses. Delegates also typically undertake individual efforts to raise funds to cover their costs of attendance. Leading up to COP22, we’ll have members of the delegation, who are experienced in fundraising to support others through the process of personal fundraising.
When will I get the application results?
The application deadline is 15 May 23:59 (GMT8+). You will receive an application receipt once we received your Application Form AND Creative/Writing component. Kindly email us at powershiftmsia@gmail.com if you have not receive any reply from us after your submission.
First round of results will be out by end of May and you will be informed regardless of being shortlisted or not. Shortlisted applicants will then be called for an online screening interview. Final announcement of the delegation shall be on the early of June.
For more enquiries, write to us at powershiftmsia@gmail.com
The new batch of delegates for Malaysian Youth Delegation 2016 who will be representing Malaysia to 
