Speaking Up,

Speaking Out
–the Asian youth voice

by
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 ― BACKGROUND 2

SECTION 1.1 – OBJECTIVES 2

SECTION 1.2 – PREFACE 2
1.2.1 – THE ASIAN BODY
1.2.2 – WHAT IT IMPLIES
1.2.3 – OUR VOICE
SECTION 1.3 –THE WORLD LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2009 IN DETAIL 6

CHAPTER 2 ― OUR STATEMENT 7

SECTION 2.1 – WE DESERVE A LOW-CARBON ECONOMY 8

SECTION 2.2 – THE CURRENT SITUATION 9
SECTION 2.3 – WHAT HAS BEEN LACKING 10
SECTION 2.4 – TARGETS – WHAT WE ENVISION 12

CHAPTER 3 ― SPEAKING UP – STEPS NEEDED 14

SECTION 3.1 – ADOPTION OF APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY 14

SECTION 3.2 – STRENGTHENING OF LAWS 15
SECTION 3.3 – ENHANCE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 18
SECTION 3.4 – GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP 21
SECTION 3.5 – SYNERGISTIC RELATIONSHIPS 23
SECTION 3.6 – INTEGRATION OF EDUCATION 25
SECTION 3.7 – RECRUITMENT OF NGOS 26
SECTION 3.8 – AGGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL ACTION 27

CHAPTER 4 ― SPEAKING OUT – CLOSING WORD 29

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 interest passion action

BACKGROUND | WHO WE ARE

The combined youth statement is a document that will be traveling to various

conferences engaging youth to inputs their position for a low carbon future of what they
want from their government. The document will eventually bring together 5,000 youth
positions, views and support to be presented at the UNFCCC Copenhagen negotiations.

This document challenges youths to come up with refreshing solutions to tackle age-old
environmental economic problems faced by world leaders. Throughout the course of
the conference, participants engaged in intellectual discourse with a multitude of
leaders and experts in varying fields related to environmental economics. The various
youth conference that this document will travel to will provide a platform for
participants from across the globe to actively engage in open-minded, cross-cultural
exchange of ideas with their peers; allowing them to work together to foster effective
long-term solutions to existing environmental and economic issues.

OBJECTIVES | OUR AIM

This position paper wraps up the proceedings of the conference in Singapore, and marks
the beginning of an unprecedented youth effort that will see this paper traverse many
countries as youths gathering at subsequent youth environmental conferences and
summits in 2009 add on their contributions to this very paper. Collectively, we seek to
strengthen the youth voice and make a strong statement of intent by the youths at COP-
15 in Copenhagen, 2009, that the youths are registering their strong disquiet with the
stagnation of efforts on the environmental front due to the impasses attributed to a
mere lack of political will and unnecessary politicking. Every chance to make an
improvement that is wasted implies that the youths of today continue to face the
consequences of inaction by political leaders. This is blithely oblivious to the impending
environmental catastrophe, one that the youths will inherit in the future.

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 Every chance to make an improvement that is wasted
implies that the youths of today continue to face the
consequences of inaction by political leaders.

This paper consolidates the youth voice, representing the show of solidarity by Asian
youth as we rally to impress upon the global community to display leadership that is
forthcoming and robust, to reinforce the need to seal a new and groundbreaking
climate pact in Copenhagen, and to remind them that the future of the youth tomorrow
is created by the actions of the leaders today.

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 PREFACE | THE CONTEXT

THE ASIAN BODY | ASIAN DIVERSITY

The Asian youth body represents the microcosm of cultural backgrounds and native
experiences that span across the entire region. This region can hardly be represented by
any one generalization alone; to speak of the Asian region would be to invoke the vastly
differing states of development and the different customs, habits and manner of life of
each nation and culture.

WHAT IT IMPLIES | THE WAY AHEAD

It is precisely this diversity that has contributed to its success as an economic body. The
Asian region is a thriving place of commerce, and looks poised to increase its scale of
economic activity greatly over the next few decades as its economies mature. In tandem
with this, however, it is becoming increasingly clear that as development revs up, the
integrity of the environment and its protection has to be factored into the
developmental quotient, or risk incurring an ecological debt that places the quality of
human life and the needs of subsequent generations at grave peril. There needs to be a
consolidated effort to confront the environmental issues that are plaguing societies,
particularly in this sphere of the world.

The diversity that characterizes the Asian body makes it certain that there can be no one
common model of development and no one common solution to the environmental
problems, just some common problems, and above all, the common need to tackle
these issues for posterity. Where recognition of this need has lagged behind, it is timely
to address this, and develop a common platform whereby there can be conducive
discussion and sharing on the steps forward, with regard to guiding principles that
should underlie policy adoptions and institutional framework adjustments. The Asian
diversity necessitates individualized solutions.

OUR VOICE | ASIAN SOLIDARITY

Hence this is a first step towards crystallizing the solidarity of the Asian body, driven by
Asian youth, to embrace a more inclusive and participatory medium of exchange. This
paper embodies the shared determination of all Asian youth to tackle the particular
issues that are facing their countries and the region; in this paper the solidarity of Asian
youth is displayed, as well as the strength of voice that comes from consensus reached
and common goals shared over the course of the formation of the combined youth
statement.

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 Looking ahead, youths can expect to take back this paper to their respective countries,
acting as pivot points for their respective countries by spearheading local initiatives on
the ground where they can, or by submitting this paper to government officials to share
the outcomes of the consolidation process so that the importance of environmental
leadership by young people is reinforced. Furthermore, by catalyzing discussion and
action in society, this can be a forerunner of many more transnational dealings that will
enhance the adoption of best practices and pave the way for further solutions.

At the same time, this is just the beginning of the long journey this paper is destined to
travel, all the while gathering momentum as youths throw their weight behind the call
for a new age of environmental leadership, one that transcends all political ideologies
and geographical boundaries.

We invite everyone to join us.

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 THE WORLD LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2009 | IN DETAIL

The conference was marked by the adoption of 6 thematic issues for further
discussion and analysis, with invited experts in these areas giving talks about the
complexities each issue entailed, and carefully chosen site visits that concur with
these issues to enable a more holistic discussion and enriching conference.

CLOSING THE FEEDBACK LOOP

Keeping in mind the unique characteristics that define the region, the choice of the
topics of waste management and resource depletion seeks to meet the need for more
considered use of environmental resources even as society’s escalating demands
continue to accentuate the need to draw upon available raw materials. These two topics
aim to close the feedback loop, from reducing consumption, to reducing waste
production and enhancing the proper handling of waste to maximize their uses and
exemplify the “cradle-to-cradle” concept.

INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE

Hand-in-hand with this is the nascent field of green technology, a widely-encompassing

term that promises to deliver unprecedented benefits to society in mitigating existing
crises and extracting a maximum amount of benefit from the constrained environment
and resource situation. In fact, the choice also of alternative energy sources as another
topic seeks to be complementary both to the idea of green technology as well as to the
emergent efforts made globally to develop new energy sources and increase their
uptake as viable alternatives to the present reliance on fossil fuels.

GRASSROOTS AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT

Lastly, to make the connections between industry and society, the choice of the final
two topics of environmental law, as well as education and environmental awareness,
will tie up seamlessly with the other themes, as they involve ensuring that enhanced
methods and technologies are complemented by more supportive and nuanced
attitudes towards environmentalism and conservation from the population.
Environmental law is a crucial aspect of harnessing the improved technologies and
methods by laying down a favorable framework of regulations and policies, while
education and environmental awareness promote greater understanding and a more
favorable mindset towards conservation.

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 INTRODUCTION | OUR STATEMENT

Humanity stands at another crossroad in 2009, where yet another important choice has
to be made. Faced with the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012, this generation is
standing on a brink of a new era that will be heralded by the drafting of a new climate
accord that will last for the next decade.

Ever since the release of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) report
in 2007 that declared climate change as a human-wrought condition, brought about by
extravagant consumption and pollutive emissions, the capacity of Mankind to once
again reinvent himself in the face of novel challenges has once more been subjected to
the sternest of tests.

There is no illusion of the arduous task that lies ahead. The consensus-building process,
and by extension the mission to push for greater sustainability is one that has time and
again been complicated by the political implications of such international agreements --
particularly one whose effects last far into an unknown future. The nebulous nature of
the days ahead often incur great hesitancy and indecisiveness -- hesitancy to leave
behind the security of the status quo, even if it is one that looks increasingly bleak; and
the indecisiveness borne out of the inability to make choices when confronted with a
whole array of options that offer no definite outcome.

As we turn the final page on the last era characterized by the Kyoto Protocol, we have
the opportunity to leave behind the self-centrism that has been portrayed through the
decisions made; the very decisions which have "failed the world's poor". Those decisions
were made when there was still an emergent understanding of the need for a collective
consciousness and global ownership of the environment and its resources, regardless of
geographic location and surpassing all borders of artificial human construct. These same
mistakes cannot be repeated as we step into the next decade, for no longer will there be
any pardon for what can only be attributed to a belligerence that pays scant heed to the
crisis that is upon our heads.

It is our ardent belief that multi-lateral agreements have the profound ability to effect
change in the world today, and the reversal of our self-wrought environmental
degradation is only possible through the cementing of these agreements. What we are
presenting here is the culmination of the efforts of a group of youths dedicated to the
environment on designing frameworks by which Man can redeem himself. We believe
that these frameworks, put together by this group of youths, can work.

Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States of America, once declared, "You
cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." The yoke of
responsibility is not one that can be shrugged off, especially when it is a duty to
successive generations to secure their future by insuring the present.

Perhaps the most difficult of all tasks is how Man, at the end of the day, can stand up to
himself, and what he has done -- and still live with it.

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 WE DESERVE A LOW-CARBON ECONOMY

It is not a new fact that economic development has caused unprecedented stress on the
environment; in fact this phrase has been used to the death. With this growing
recognition, the youth of today have come to have high expectations of world leaders
that they will act upon their words to fashion a sustainable, low-carbon world. However,
current efforts have not realized the tremendous potential that remains to be exploited.

With this in mind, we have taken the first step as youths to pen in this paper our vision
of a low-carbon economy. We urge all policy-makers to consider our paper seriously for
its true value as a reflection of the grassroots intimate with the direct effects of
environmental policies. Furthermore, we implore governments who are serious to the
environmental cause to receive with an open mind the pragmatic, workable suggestions
included that uncover pockets of potential within society where change can be effected.
Where current efforts have coincided with our suggestions, or where we have found
current efforts to be right in principle but lacking in execution, we hope the world
leaders will examine these shortcomings and make the necessary changes for
improvement.

An achievable aim and worthwhile objective

to reduce carbon emissions
by 50% below 1990 levels by 2050

To this aim, we deem it an achievable aim and a worthwhile objective to reduce total
carbon emissions by 50% below the 1990 levels by 2050. Seldom have great things been
accomplished without similarly ambitious aims; we as youth take the bold stand in
reaffirming our claim that this can be achieved. We ask the governments and
international community to support us by breaking out of the current thinking
paradigm. Together, we can make great strides.

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 THE CURRENT SITUATION

1. Nations understand that most of the degradation has come and is coming from
economic development; nevertheless it is their primary pursuit. Predominant
state policy still views creating wealth for society as national interest even
where it contradicts environmental principles

2. Environmental degradation is not an isolated problem. It is a global problem

and we firmly call for every nation state to reaffirm that each of them has a
social, political and moral obligation to prevent it from becoming worse. The
Stern Review states that climate change is the greatest and widest-ranging
market failure ever seen, presenting a unique challenge for economics. This gap
is not unbridgeable, provided governments are first able to shift towards
viewing the environment as a global good and a long-term economic asset that
deserves equal consideration with current economic needs.

3. The impacts of existing environmental deterioration can be observed on our

ecosystems in terms of biodiversity reduction, furthermore evidenced by the
existence of food scarcity a lack of drinking water, and depletion of the ozone
layer. This problem of resource depletion, among others, is of massive
proportions and requires an effective and pragmatic leadership to find a
solution. We cannot afford to dally further upon an ever-evolving problem
whose magnitude increases with each day of inaction.

4. Future generations deserve a chance to experience these wonderful natural

flora and fauna that we see today. We therefore have to do our part in
conserving our precious environment. Otherwise, the quality of life
experienced today will always come at the expense of that enjoyed by future
generations.

5. Any action taken needs to draw upon principles of environmentalism, including

ecology, conservation, stewardship, responsibility and sustainability.

6. Furthermore, to better protect our environment and make significant progress

towards a more sustainable world, our real engagement is required on a daily
basis. Only then can we change our lifestyle into a greener one, nurture the
discourse on environment in the society and enshrine it as our vital interest for
the public sector, the private sector, and governments alike.

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 WHAT HAS BEEN LACKING

1. The weighing between the environment and the economy needs to break free
of the prevailing market economic paradigm that has shaped current social and
political institutions and people’s lifestyles. These are unseen and intangible
restrictions that limit the scope and breadth of our thinking, and have
contributed to the inertia over environmental projects.

2. Past champions for the environment have been inspiring but they have not
been mainstreamed to affect fertile minds, hands and hearts. They have
become voices in the wilderness and have remained so till this generation.

3. States, civil society and private enterprises have made efforts but only few
concrete steps left imprints.

4. What is often found lacking has been the nurturing of a common commitment
to which all states are bound to and which all states can be held accountable
for, with the upkeep of this shared pledge. In fact, the continual information
flux and data inflow means that governments should be willing and
forthcoming in agreeing to further advances made upon this pledge in
accordance to the demands of the environmental situation.

5. Governments have been found wanting in exemplifying environmental

leadership, passing over numerous opportunities to make critical adjustments
to the current global model.

6. This has been attributed to a lack of commitment, compounded by the inability

to make tough choices that may necessitate trade-offs and a loss of political
capital

7. Governments must realize that a direct consequence of this is an overall

shortfall in action, especially since the public and private sector take their cues
from government policy action. Any hesitancy by policymakers will be
magnified several-fold. There exists a lack of regulations that the government
provides and gaps in implementation of environmental policies. Further
progress will be limited if this is not recognized and corrected.

8. In areas such as the promotion of alternative energy sources or public display

of pro-environmental action, for example, there is a wide array of possible
options that have been presented. A shared commitment is needed to
transform these into mainstays of society. This is the transformative push that
will change our way of living into one that is less environmentally-taxing.

9. At the same time, all aspects of sustainable living cannot be discounted. For
example despite the UN Year of Sanitation 2008, progress on waste

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 management still remains woefully inadequate. Greater collective action to
stimulate public and private participation is thus needed.

10. The diversity of perspectives used in judging the state of the environment
tremendously affects the way solutions are developed. Solutions are scattered
as they are suggested by various stakeholders across countries. Furthermore,
civil society movements work separately and lack coordination for a holistic
approach.

11. Current insufficiencies in the Kyoto Protocol should be targeted in the drafting
of the new carbon reduction agreement. We believe that the debate over
common but differentiated responsibility can be very misleading with regards
to our purpose of creating a more sustainable world. That debate only creates
an apology of who creates the environmental damage and who is supposed to
take responsibility of it. This only leads to an antropocene and not ecocentric
view of protecting the environment.

12. Furthermore, existing carbon emission regulations have unwittingly

engendered an environment where the private sector can justify pollution on
an affordability basis. Although existing carbon taxes do have benefits on
reducing emissions, more needs to be done to rectify the situation such that
corporate social responsibility is reinforced.

13. Therefore, we, the youth of today, have decided to take the CHOICE to seize
the future by choosing today. This paper aims to provide assistance towards
formulating proper solutions by expressing the perspective of the youth,
displaying a unified resolve towards reforming the existing models of resource
capitalization, energy production and environmental protection.

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 TARGETS | WHAT WE ENVISION

Pertaining to the 6 specific areas of focus, resource depletion, alternative energy

sources, environmental law, green technology, environmental education and
awareness, and waste management, the youth have come up with a broad set of
objectives, namely:

1. A reduction in human dependency on fossil fuel, characterized by:

a. Reduction in electricity consumption per capita for each and every

nation

b. Recycling of 40% of global household waste by 2015

c. Re-process and re-usage of 50% of global water by 2025

d. Increase in the number of regulations governing consumption of

natural resources by corporations

2. Broad-based promotion of alternative energy sources

a. Increase global usage of alternative energy sources up to 35% by 2050

b. Reduce global carbon emissions from energy production by 45-55% by

2050

3. Greater sensitivity of policies towards the need for cultivating environmentally-

responsible attitudes and lifestyles

a. Integration of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and additionally, Refuse,

elements and concepts in policy drafting and legislation in all countries
by 2015

b. Incorporation of green technology by all stakeholders of society,

particular in two areas: buildings and consumer products by all
countries by 2050

4. Bolster the role of education in supporting and protecting our environment by

filling the gaps between the top-down approaches of the state with the
bottom-up approaches of civil society

a. Improve and expand new discourse on the viability of introducing

development and “Ecopreneurship”

b. Optimize the media in greening the world within and beyond

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 c. Rework education systems to emphasize the role of youth in making a
more sustainable world a visible goal

5. Amend current international laws to alleviate environmental problems while

ensuring continued economic growth

a. Enhancing the supervisory and policing role of regional blocs to

enforce carbon emission cuts

b. Codification of a common, shared system of principles and laws shared

globally by 2015 so as to consolidate the current fragmented
environmental laws

c. Creation of International Environment Court under UNEP to deal with

cases of non-compliance

d. Creation of a differentiated payment mechanism for developed and

developing countries for their carbon emissions, with the latter
working on a delayed payment basis

e. Creation of new eco policies to resolve outstanding environmental

issues. These should be available to be signed and ratified in 4 years,
by 2013

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 APPROACH | STEPS NEEDED

ADOPTION OF APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY

1. We call upon governments to recognize that the pursuit of economic growth can be
mediated by adoption of appropriate technology. Where the impacts of society on
the environment can be buffered by technology, governments should spare no
expense in utilizing this technology.

a. The development of green technology can mediate the impact of

urbanized areas on the environment and reduce society’s carbon footprint
and hence its uptake and continued research should be encouraged by the
government through actual policies and legislation.

i. Legislation: Governments need to spearhead the uptake of

green buildings through promotion and regulation of green
building projects since legislation is able to push society
effectively in a direction that is beneficial to all

ii. Loan incentives: More collaboration is needed with non-

public banking sectors to offer loan incentives to the
public/private developers of the green buildings and/or
providing tax rebates to contractors as well as architects who
are involved in green buildings projects.

iii. Universal Eco-labeling scheme: Standards should be placed

and enforced upon industrial sectors which evaluates the
entire production cycle including materials used, machine
efficiency, water and waste management, shipping and
logistics for their environmental friendliness and
sustainability, occurring through a universal eco-labeling
scheme. This alerts both producers and consumers to the
importance of environmental friendliness

b. Broad-based promotion of alternative energy sources by world

governments is needed. These should be seen not only as potential
opportunities to explore, but also as imperatives for diversification away
from an unsustainable way of living to harness energy better with less
environmental costs, and so should be regarded as every government’s
primary responsibility towards the global problem of climate change

i. Monetary Assistance: Governments should provide monetary

benefits, including low-interest loans subsidies, to adopt
alternative energy sources (AES) technologies for wide-spread
use. Annex 1 countries can commit towards technology

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 transfer and knowledge-sharing by experts to Annex 2
countries in the area of AES research as part of the condition
on loans for development aid, and Annex 2 countries should
reciprocate by guaranteeing transparency and allowing
monitoring by an international environmental authority
appointed in the agreement

ii. Development of Expertise: Education institutions should be

set up to train and develop the people’s expertise and boost
R & D to increase the efficiency and safety of AES. The
combining of education of all AES variances under one
umbrella will facilitate the ease of inter-field collaboration,
due to the highly interrelated nature between the different
AES technologies.

iii. Anti-monopoly policy and Regulation: Regulate alternative

energy technologies through forming an intergovernmental
regulating body to prevent monopolization of the industry in
future. In the light of present experience with energy related
cartels such as the OPEC, the world should ensure that
alternative energy sources will not end up commoditized to
serve the interest of several energy elites. This will ensure
that future energy prices will remain competitive yet stable.

STRENGTHENING OF LAWS

2. A watertight system of monitoring and enforcing environmentally-friendly behavior

to ensure universal application of the same code of conduct for governments,
society and industries alike. As such, the strengthening of laws should be regarded
as a priority to establish an international benchmark to regulate behavior.

a. Consolidation of Laws: There needs to be a unified and codified

international environmental law which both developed and developing
countries are amenable to ratify, with the presence of a cooperative
bureaucracy within member states on implementing the law in terms of
social, economic, environmental and political areas. The existing
environmental laws in the world today are fragmented, and are generated
sporadically. They have diverse aims, without any main global codification.
This very codification is imperative in order to create an effective global
policy and an integrated movement.

b. Enhanced role for regional blocs: Regional blocs should not act merely as
economic trading bodies, but also as mutual checks on member countries
with regards to their efforts in environmental protection. Furthermore,
since there are still disparities between countries in terms of both

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 economical and technological capacities to fight environmental issues,
therefore, through regional blocs, countries in that bloc that can muster
greater resources and expertise will be able to augment the progress in
developing countries by facilitating the transfer of technology and
investments.

c. Establishment of Neutral Governing Body: We recommend that an

effective and powerful supranational body be established to ensure that
the environmental interests remain stable. Under these provisions, the
governing body will be endowed with the authority to monitor and enforce
its member countries’ compliance by introducing a stricter sanction
mechanism.

d. Separation of function: We opine that the structure of the neutral

governing should be such that there are three sub-structures comprising
the monitoring body, international environmental court, and enforcement
body.

i. Monitoring Body: This body should have two main

responsibilities: the facilitating and reporting of the
implementation of law. The facilitators should comprise of
member states and international Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs) as well as relevant experts. These
member states would be countries that have shown good
records in achieving their emission targets, but whose
memberships are reviewed annually. Its functions are to
proffer suggestions regarding the best possible
implementation of environmental law. On the other hand,
the members who conduct the reporting function shall
include only INGOs. Their neutrality can be more assured
since they represent the varied interests of the society in
protecting the environment.

ii. Establishment of International Environment Court: This

mechanism should be implemented as the last resort. The
afore-mentioned court will be established as a subsidiary
under the UNEP, who should ensure that countries deliver on
their promises towards environmental sustainability. This
new court composes of several mechanisms including:

 State’s consent not mandatory for court’s functioning:

The creation of this court stems from the inherent
environmental vulnerability in international law
enforcement. Considering the past failings of the ICC and
ICJ were mostly caused by the weakness of international
law and the lack of cooperation of member states, it is
paramount the IEC has greater autonomy and clout to
uphold its efficacy.

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  Decision-making elements are independent parties to
ensure neutrality: The team of judges should be entirely
neutral, by consisting of ten members who comprise of
international environmental activists, INGO
representatives, and epistemic communities.

iii. Enforcement Body: This body serves to compel all ratifying

members to impose the indicated sanctions on accused
entities that have been proven guilty by the IEC. Sanctions are
primarily economic in nature, and involve imposing additional
taxes on all products that are exported by the guilty country
to all members bound by the protocol.

e. Immediate effort needed: This is required to resolve any final impediments

towards all countries adopting a common stand with the agreement that
succeeds the Kyoto Protocol so that universal emission reduction is
renewed and enshrined as the core of any future environmental
sustainability policies, the standard of which needs to be worked out by
COP-15 so that the agreement is readily poised to enter into effect once
the Kyoto Protocol expires. Participation and compliance of all states
should be secured and each state should view this as an essential duty
arising from their membership in the global community forum that is the
United Nations.

i. Confirm Emission Reduction Targets: We suggest countries

outside Annex I to set their targets of carbon emission
reduction in the next global conference. Keeping in mind that
there should be a global movement towards the
standardization of global carbon reduction target, the precise
magnitude of each country’s carbon emission reduction should
be subject to further negotiation within the conference.
Emission reduction should be made in accordance with the
1990 standard for fairness, considering the efforts that have
been made by some countries even before the obligations
imposed in this Protocol.

ii. Harmonization of Law: Any new international law relevant to

the topic of carbon emission reduction made after the Protocol
should be in accordance with this Protocol. For example, the
creation of Article 211 of 1982 United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea incorporates the precise standard of
operational oil pollution sets by the earlier the 73/78 MARPOL
Convention. All states that agreed to be bound by UNCLOS are
also bound by MARPOL Convention (David Wilkinson, p.66,
2002).

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 iii. Annual Review Mechanism: Pursuant to the gradual movement
of the global CO2 reduction percentage, every year there should
be an annual review of the progress of the emission reduction
for each country done by the annual conference. Each country
is given full right to establish its own suitable mechanism to
achieve the agreed target. The annual meeting will review the
implementation and provide suggestions if considered as
necessary.

iv. Post-protocol Action: After the treaty has ceased and/or the
target is reached, member countries should meet and discuss
the continuance of the efforts to reach the initial goal or to
create and set new targets of carbon emission reduction, as
seen fit by parties involved. We envision the ideal situation
where countries are amenable to enforce gradually improving
targets of carbon emission reduction so that there will be a
continual drive to “green” lifestyles, attitudes, and technology.
Measures to reach emission reduction should be sustainable
and hence should be continued even after the Protocol has
ceased

ENHANCE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

3. Creation of a conducive environment for cross-border technology transfer through

streamlining of existing laws to provide the necessary protection or to cover the
loopholes where needed.

a. Abolishment of Patents: We suggest that Annex 1 countries abolish or

reduce the price of patents for different types of AES technology for Annex
2 countries in exchange for the preservation of forests and reforestation,
the framework of which has been negotiated under the REDD mechanism.
Abolishing patents will reduce the cost of adopting AES technology in
Annex 2 countries, while the mutual benefit garnered from such exchanges
enable the Annex 1 countries to fulfill their obligation towards taking a
leadership role in helping out developing nations.

b. Rethink IP Laws: Developed countries are unwilling to share their

technology with developing countries so as to remain more economically
competitive. Often, government-led research and development are
protected from distribution by strict IP laws that make such technology
expensive and inaccessible. Since state-owned enterprises are limited in
helping with the transfer of technology, it is up to the MNCs from these
developed countries to help distribute technology evenly among the
countries.

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 i. Multi National Companies (MNCs) are key pillars in their
economy’s growth and are able to coordinate a complex series
of functions that cut across national boundaries to ensure
development in various regions all over the world. Transfer of
technology between developed and developing countries are
facilitated by MNCs through investments in other countries.

ii. Industrialization to raise the standard of living is a key focus;

hence governments are unwilling to focus on environmental
sustainability. As such, it is of the utmost importance for them
to acquire the technology necessary for them to develop. With
the fulfillment of basic needs as the prerequisite for greater
environmental care, accelerating the development of
developing countries through MNC involvement would allow a
greater focus on environmental issues and minimize the
pollution produced per unit of GDP as the period of time taken
to develop is shorter. Therefore, this situation presents a win-
win solution for both parties.

iii. It is also unfair to dissuade developing countries from

industrializing on environmental grounds when developed
nations have been polluting the environment for many years.

iv. The crux is how we can start encouraging the transfer of

technology, whilst continuing to allow the economies of
countries in both Annex 1 and Annex 2 to grow.

v. MNCs must also know the limitations in their projects, as well

as understand and keep in mind the international
environmental laws agreed to by all countries and control their
carbon emissions.

 An example of effectively tackling environmental issues

through indirect MNC catalyzing of economic growth is
that of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city. Memorandum
of Understandings (MOUs) were signed related to the
development of an eco-business park, and the Eco-city
Administrative Committee (ECAC) and the Joint Venture
Company (JVC) have made efforts to secure investments
in targeted sectors; for instance, businesses related to
energy conservation and environmental protection, in
the eco-city. These investments will help to kick-start the
development of the startup area and provide jobs.

c. Recognition of Differing Responsibilities: Developed and developing

countries contribute differently to the current state of environmental

19
 degradation. Hence, they should be given different responsibilities when
tackling the issue.

i. The cost should be paid mainly by developed countries with

greater collaboration between developed and developing
countries. Developed countries should aid in the
industrialization of third world countries through investments,
especially in green economies in the country.

ii. While developing countries are expected to share the

responsibility, they should not have to bear an equal amount of
it owing to less responsibility for past carbon emissions and less
financial and technological capabilities.

iii. A benchmark for carbon emission levels (based on the Principle

of Common but Differentiated Responsibility stated in the
Kyoto Protocol) must be set for both developed and developing
countries; developed countries’ emission levels should aim to
reach the agreed lower levels and their R&D will help to
promote this.

iv. At the same time, developing countries also have to take on the
responsibility to curb carbon emissions. We propose that a
mechanism be put in place to ensure that developing countries
also bear the costs of environmental consequences from their
industrialization, but this can be paid forth at a later date, such
as 30 years later. This draws a parallel to developed countries
paying the price for their irresponsible polluting during the
industrial revolution, and mandates environmental
responsibility in an equitable manner.

v. The agreed reduction of emissions from developed countries

and developing countries should be different due to the
Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibility.

vi. To encourage developed countries to invest in developing

countries, there should be a cap imposed on the maximum
number of carbon credits in each carbon market, and additional
carbon credits offered to developing countries to create an
incentive for firms to look towards investing in regions outside
of China and India.

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 GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP

4. Government leadership is needed to transform society’s attitudes and the existing

socio-economic paradigm into one that is more environmentally-friendly. Central to
this is the government’s conduct in the area of sustainability and its own actions in
addition to policies, and how it is able to bring across its beliefs and promote them
to society at large.

a. Refuse Overconsumption by the People: Government refusal of over-

consumption will directly reduce waste production. This has to be driven
through society-centric policies that aim to discourage unnecessary
consumption and superfluous needs through a penalty-reward system and
promote environmentally-friendly behavior through education, whereas of
present, these two areas of concern are lacking. Whereas awareness of the
latter is catching up, it is inadequate as of present, and governments need
to be more cognizant of their ability to incentivize positive behavior by
enacting appropriate policies that are suitable to the local context, based
on the locals’ habits of consumption and the main contributions to waste
production

b. Enforce the Adherence of Offices to Universal, Environmentally-friendly

Guidelines: Authorities should harness recent technological advancements,
such as through green architecture, to compel the corporate sector to
abide by more eco- friendly yardsticks by 2012. These include the
establishment of “Green Offices”. A head start to the policy would include
the gradual introduction of better natural lighting, ventilation, and double
shift work in current offices. In addition, the widespread usage of e-paper
is encouraged to reduce excessive paper usage. Streamlining of
bureaucratic procedures is urgently required and it is recommended that a
task force be set up to look into how government operations can better
internalize the concept of environmental friendliness, with the
accumulation of experience being able to be passed to the private sector,
thus epitomizing government leadership by example.

c. Make Non-disposable Products Mandatory: Generation of excessive waste

can partly be attributed to the profit-making motive of companies in its
usage of cheap and convenient disposable products, in addition to the
consumerist attitudes prevalent in developed societies. Governments can
signal a shift towards heavier usage of biodegradable items and away from
non-biodegradable ones through relevant policies that need to start by
identifying potential points of intervention in individuals’ everyday lives
and making an impact there so as to alert them to the costs of their
behavior.

i. An example can be drawn from Ireland’s Plastic Bag

Environmental Levy which came into effect in 2002, charging 15

21
 cents for every plastic bag used except for those used to store
non-packaged goods, resulting in a 90% usage cut almost
overnight. This legislation has proved to be effective in
transferring the burden of responsibility for their consumerist
choices onto consumers and altering behavior patterns to
better align with environmental sustainability

ii. Germany has enacted a Green Dot system where

manufacturers and retailers pay for a “Green Dot” on products,
with the levy proportional to the amount of packaging. The
green dot then indicates to the consumer that it should be
discarded in special collection bins sponsored by the industry.
This created an incentive to reduce the amount of materials in
packaging resulting in less garbage produced and recycled.
Furthermore it is able to make consumer waste part of the
manufacturer’s cost calculations, thus harnessing the
innovation and efficiency of the private sector

d. Mandatory Recycling: Governments can tackle the lack of recycling habit

by making recycling compulsory, especially so in countries where such a
culture has yet to take root and people lack the discipline or initiative to
recycle actively. Complementary to this is the provision of expertise and
advice to expedite the recycling process.

e. Initiation of Aggressive Campaigns to Increase Awareness: We find that the

capability and goals of developed and developing countries should differ
due to the disparate profiles of their population bases as well as
differences in attitudes and practices. We have outlined a few proposed
goals for each group of nations, as follows:

i. Developed Nations:

 The people should start paying environmental tax now or

at the beginning of the new fiscal year of 2011.

 Industries should be receptive towards implementing

greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes, an example
of which is the New South Wales Greenhouse Gas
Abatement Scheme that obliges environmentally friendly
technologies such as electricity generators and energy
efficient compliances. All developing nations should have
done similar actions by the year 2014.

 Finding and developing a mass executable prototype of

an alternative and sustainable source of energy. This new
source of energy should be able to efficiently done in
every country, by the year 2020.

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 ii. Developing Nations:

 Inserting an environment awareness subject in

elementary schools by the year 2013.

 Implement a short term alternative energy source, such

as the biogas program in Indonesia and the gobar gas
program in India. By the year 2015, 60% of people should
have shifted their reliance of fossil fuel to these new
alternatives.

 Implement technology transferred from developed

countries by the year 2021.

 Initiating various lifestyle-changing campaigns by

government and corporate that should start right away
in 2009. Examples of such program/policies are “One
Rinse” from Unilever Indonesia which reformulated its
“Molto” fabric conditioner to need only one rinse instead
of three to save on water costs, or possible household
energy competitions

SYNERGISTIC RELATIONSHIPS

5. Interaction between developed and developing countries should be conducive for

mutual growth and any interaction needs to keep in mind the disparate
backgrounds of the countries involved as well as any synergies that can be tapped
upon in order to make mutual strides towards environmental sustainability and a
low-carbon economy

a. Allocating Responsibilities: There needs to be a shift away from the current

mindset of attributing blame towards a more constructive approach that
emphasizes on future intervention and contributions. These have to be
worked out based on the present situation and avoid further dalliances
due to pinpointing blame on past actions. As stated above, the creation of
an apology for past environmental damage and attribution of responsibility
is not forward-looking and will only serve to hamper future progress

b. Differentiated paying mechanisms: There should be adequate provision for

the fulfillment of different responsibilities as set out above, through a
flexible payment structure that accommodates the present ability to pay
and weighs it with the future impact of pollution for both developed and
developing countries, without excusing any country from bearing the costs
of environmental mismanagement

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 c. Budget cuts

i. Attempts to shrink the national budget tend to be done by

cutting spending on environment-related expenditure such as
environmental satellite spending. As there has always been the
need for every state or country to classify environmental
concerns among their core, centrifugal concerns, it is necessary
to protect environmental laws from regime changes.

ii. Existing environmental legislations also need continuity in

implementation regardless of changes in regimes or ruling
electorates to achieve sustainability, and to spend on initiatives
to rehabilitate and preserve the environment before the
situation becomes intractable.

iii. There is a need for developed countries to subsidize the

environmental programs to be implemented in developing
countries since they have larger financial capacities, and to
develop loan schemes between countries, where developed
countries can loan developing countries some capital and
resources to execute the necessary adaptations to fulfill the
legislations.

iv. To avoid the pitfalls of excessive debts of developing countries,

returns can be made in alternative ways, like conferring trading
privileges for the creditor country, or benefits for its nationals
working in the borrowing country.

v. Also, a global fund can be created from the monetary collection

of pollution damages or emission taxes from polluting agents
over the world and its reserves can be channeled towards green
policy implementation. This is based on the ‘polluter pays’
principle.

d. Solve Current Impasses Based on Recognition of Common Good: There

should be nurturing of the “environment-first” attitude firstly at the
international level where consensus should be reached that in issues of
common global good, individual grievances should be laid aside and
mediation prioritized with global partners weighing in on the process to
contribute an equal amount of pressure for early settlement. This must
include among the first the ratification of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty and supporting treaties including the Comprehensive Test Ban
Treaty which are essential to make readily available the benefits of nuclear
technology without fears of misuse

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 INTEGRATION OF EDUCATION

6. Education should be integrated as one of the most effective arms of any policy
aiming to achieve carbon emission reduction as it cultivates a future pool of leaders
who are aware of its importance and sets the tone and direction for the rest of
society to follow in subsequent decades. This should include:

a. Inculcating Awareness on Available Energy Sources: Public support is

crucial in developing high-cost alternative energy projects. Any lingering
doubts of misbelieves should be dispelled so that the public can fully
appreciate the rationale behind it. Campaigns to generate awareness
supplemented by the integration of the preservation of the environment
through alternative energy sources into the school curriculum can play a
useful role in public education. Global events such as Earth Hour and Live
Aid are able to reach out to a worldwide audience to generate support for
environmental issues.

b. Boost Alliance for Knowledge: Allowing Non-Government Organizations

(NGOs) to develop test-phase environmentally-beneficial projects
eliminates the need to spend taxpayer’s money on expensive early stage
project assessments which might be of high risk. In 2005, only 32 percent
of Bangladesh’s population had grid electricity, despite the country’s
successful rural electrification program. Because of innovative off-grid
projects that include renewable energy applications, 250,000 more low-
income rural households in both countries now enjoy the benefits of an
electricity connection. These are driven by community-based organizations
such as the Electricity Consumer Societies with the help of NGOs

c. Comprehensive Education Policies on the 3Rs of Consumption: This

imparts environmental knowledge to school-going children and would
enable people to refuse unnecessary consumption or excessive packaging,
imbuing the awareness at an early age so that society can respond
positively to government actions to reduce waste and understand the
rationale behind such maneuvers, even when such actions might be
penalizing on their behavior

d. Internalizing Sweat Equity: “Sweat equity”, a scheme which allows the

unemployed to contribute their labor, involves the entire community in
micro-hydroelectric plant project development and is a feasible way to
reduce the financial burden of the ordinary in developing such projects
while increasing their sense of ownership and awareness towards such
projects

e. Harnessing youth energies: Youth play a crucial role as the main

stakeholders in the future of the world by protecting the environment.
With regard to youth involvement in supporting the environment and

25
 moving towards a low-carbon economy, there is an urgent need to
implement the following proposed solutions:

i. Ensure that premises of environmental leadership resonate in

the respective youth groups, institutions, and communities
through creative and participative echo seminars and programs
in all countries across all continents
ii. Seek to continue and sustain youth energies by giving
appropriate support for youths to pursue existing programs and
projects in each country, redefining the view of youths from an
“at-risk” group to people who are willing to contribute
positively and who actively seek the acknowledgement and
support of the government to actualize their ideas and passion
for society’s benefit

iii. Expand local networks by sharing practices and efforts in order

to replicate best practices and together learn how to achieve
our common goals

iv. Government and other institutions should encourage young

children and students to voice their opinions to policy or
decision-makers, while academia and students can conduct
school-hopping activities where teachers and students will be
exposed to environment related projects.

v. Non-government organizations and the civil society should be

invited to conduct formal and informal public discussions by
inviting community members to participate and develop
context-specific mitigation and adaptation mechanisms. A role
can be given to environment advocacy groups in terms of
facilitating communication and networking through the conduct
of workshops and action planning, both in civil society as well as
among government bodies or statutory boards

vi. Youth leaders can be encouraged to develop campaign

materials (videos, music, MTVs, flyers, logos, advertisements,
among others) that can be shared electronically.

RECRUTIMENT OF NGOS

7. Recruitment of NGOs to spearhead efforts on part of civil society as they can form
the bridges between governments and society, reflecting the ground situation and
the actual needs of the communities they serve, while playing a supportive role by
translating government policies and direction into a form that can be easily

26
 understood by the community and lending their weight by changing the way they
conduct themselves. Some goals are to:

a. Educate the society in rural areas, such as farmers, fishermen, people who
live from the forests, and slums in the proximity of NGOs. There should be
60% of the society that is already well educated by the year 2017.

b. Facilitate dialogue and partnerships between all actors of the

environment, from governments to the grassroots. These partnerships and
dialogue should be feasible by the year 2015

c. Provide 75% human resources to areas in need in the proximity by the year
2017.

d. Abolish the policy practice gap by acting as the check and balance for
corporations and the government by the year 2020.

AGGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL ACTION

8. More aggressive international action is needed to redefine the way carbon emission
reduction targets are treated, by integrating them into the economic structure that
the world relies upon today so that the perspective of carbon emission reduction
can be shaped such that it becomes a valued commodity.

a. Establishment of a Carbon Trading Stock Market: Benefits of the carbon

market system have been skewed towards China and India, which are now
key targets for investors all over the world due to the rising Chinese and
Indian markets that have become an attractive place due to their growing
economy and large market size. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that
Carbon trade occurs between more countries, and reach out to other
developing countries which have seen much less proportions of world
trade, such as the African Continent.

i. Building on the Kyoto Protocol concept and factoring in

considerations of the issue of the self-serving interests of each
sovereign state, the Carbon Trading Market and the existing
WTO/ free-trade market should be either linked or combined.
This would incentivize both developed and developing markets
to ‘voluntarily’ partake based on economic interest, but adopt
environmentally friendly measures when they build and grow
their economies.

ii. The current stock market should include an element of

environmentally-driven trade in it. Under the Carbon Trading
“Stock Market”, countries will also be trading carbon credits via

27
 investments, research and development and technology in the
green industry. This brings greater trade and development to
both developed and developing countries.

iii. When this carbon trade market becomes successful, it would

result in the overall creation of a new global trading market
which would promote global economic growth, and at the same
time, lead to environmental sustainability in countries.

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 CLOSING WORD

 Recognizing that the thematic issues under discussion have significant bearing
on the quality of human life;

 Acknowledging that building a global consensus on pertinent environmental

issues requires effective leadership and a shared sense of direction;

 Understanding that any functioning international or intergovernmental process

needs to first involve prioritization of common aims and objectives;

 Endorsing that critical intervention is needed to ensure the continued

relevance of such multi-stakeholder platforms; and

 Committing towards upholding the global good as an overarching aim in all

future endeavors,

We as youth reaffirm our support towards protecting the environment and making this
world a visible future. With conviction, we, the generation of today, once more confirm
and commit that we will make the choice today to seize a better future tomorrow, and
we urge all global leaders to demonstrate the same conviction. The decisions of youth
are unburdened by political and economic considerations and should be seriously
considered as honest appraisals without baggage. This resolute stand made by youth
should be taken up as a clarion call for governments and enterprises to reject dithering
and adopt a global perspective. The youth represent a formidable resource in tackling
the global climate change crisis, but we need to be supported by both governments and
corporations with the recognition that the common action problem is best resolved by
simultaneous agreements on shared action plans.

We, as youth, will inspire our fellow youth to be empowered to choose the decision of
making the world a livable community of unity amidst diversity.

To all governments, we invite you to demonstrate the kinship that exists among all of us
through mutual cooperation to deliver upon shared promises and take the steps of
change for the global good.

To all private corporations, we invite you to step into the shoes of responsible
companies that, inasmuch as they recognize that they are one of the pillars of modern-
day society, fulfill the role bequeathed to them by supporting society’s progress down a
beneficial path.

To civil society and all NGOs, we invite you into a warm partnership whereby we will be
able to look towards you for guidance and experience, and for the receptiveness that
will see us maximize each of our potentials.

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 We, as youth, are committed towards a future where our descendants and other
generations to come will not have to suffer unduly as a result of the ecological and
environmental debt that was placed upon them by the irresponsibility of all the past
deeds of our generation. To this cause, we are committed towards creating a strong
pressure that defies political boundaries on the stake that we, as youth, will make a
choice about.

The global truth is that climate change is upon all of us ― unless we do something to
stop it. And the youth believe that it is in each and every one of us to do so. Because we
know. We must. And we can.

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