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Two Malaysian youth climate activists just returned from COP30 and they’re breaking down their biggest insights, challenges, and why youth voices matter in global climate negotiations.
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00:00Hello and welcome to It's About Youth. I'm your host Fahna Sheh. Now COP30, one of the biggest
00:13climate gatherings in the world, just wrapped up not too long ago. Two Malaysian youth climate
00:18activists have returned from the negotiations and they're here to share what they saw, what they
00:23learn and what they believe Malaysia and our region should do next. Now joining us today
00:30in the studio is Henry from University Melayah as well as Hega Bisek Kumar from Kuwasa, Persatuan
00:36Activist Sahabat Alam. Thank you so much for joining me, you guys. Very dapper looking as
00:41well. You guys just returned from COP30 not too long ago. It wrapped up, what, 21st November
00:47I think, right? Yeah. So talk to me a little bit about your experience there. What was the
00:52moment that really defined the experience for you personally? Maybe Henry, we can start
00:57with you. I would say the most defined moment for me is the human moment. Because actually
01:03in fact COP30 is under United Nations for climate change. So we have around 198 countries that
01:11gather together, speak about climate change. So again, hearing the frontline voices, youth,
01:16indigenous, where this year they're focusing on, coastal community reps, they describe their
01:21life loss that cut through the negotiation. Also in personally, I would say there's a lot of
01:27session for me, there's a lot of side event, negotiation that I've witnessed from high level
01:31stakeholders to youth. I think the most defined experience for me in, okay, so in COP30, we have
01:38a lot of pavilion, we have a lot of representative venue. The most attending session for me is
01:43Malaysia pavilion where I chair a session where we're speaking about youth. And in there, there's a lot of
01:49youth from different country and maybe somewhere I didn't involve it. And seeing Malaysian youth
01:54speak up, made me feel real and actionable. Yeah.
01:59Must be truly an inspiring moment to represent Malaysia to go there and to speak to other youths
02:03from other countries as well. What about you, Hegao? What was the defining experience for you there? Talk to
02:08me a little bit about your time there. For me, this is my first COP. So for me, this is a very eye-opening
02:14experience for me because this COP is happening right in the city of Amazon rainforest, the same city
02:20that described as the lung of the rainforest. So yeah, and also this COP is special for me because I'm in
02:29Persatun Activist Sahabat Alam. We work closely with indigenous community and this is the COP that has the most
02:35highest number of representation from indigenous community. Indigenous community around the world
02:41and especially from Brazil have attended the COP and also they had around 300 representation in the
02:49blue zone itself. So blue zone is the zone that the actual negotiation take place and green zone is the
02:56zone for public society, I mean civil society and also public to engage in discussions. So for me,
03:02this COP is something that is meaningful for me personally in terms of my personal development
03:08and also it shows the true representation of indigenous community because they are the front line in the
03:15climate change and they are the stewards of the forest as well. Yeah. Yeah, I mean it sounded like both of you
03:21had a really meaningful time there and are ready to share with us, you know, your experience or lessons learned
03:28there. So we'll get to that. But okay, let's talk about some of the ideas or policy initiatives that we
03:34discussed there. You know, be it ideas, climate solution that I discussed showcase at COP30, what really
03:42changed your perspective or really sparked your interest? Is there anything that was discussed there that
03:46really made you go, huh, this is very interesting? I will say the venue itself is very interesting. Right. So as
03:54Hega has mentioned, this year is in Belém. So Belém is right in the Amazon forest. So they are focusing,
04:00part of their focus is about the indigenous people. So I will say they focus on also the green
04:06industrialization, which is like green steel, hydrogen, and also they show industrial skill transition
04:13planning beyond small projects. So there is, there's an impression for COP or maybe for like high level,
04:20usually they only do negotiation. But in fact, there's a lot of side events. We are showcasing a
04:26lot of very actionable plan. So they have very good adaptation towards all these solutions. I would say
04:32there's very impressive because this is my second COP. Last year was in Baku, Azerbaijan, a very developed
04:38city. But this year Belém, in fact, they also organize it very well. The people are very welcoming. And the very
04:45good impression for me is about the technology that people showcase around the world. So I remember there's a guy
04:50from Taiwan. He showcased about a bottle that can turn the dirty water to clean water. So this is
04:57Like a drinking bottle? Yeah, like a bottle. So you can use it. So the main initial plan, he is focusing on
05:04some country like Africa or maybe LDC, this development country, that they don't have clean water. But this is
05:12also useful for hiking. And also there's a lot of extendable. So I think this is part of the action that I saw.
05:18Oh, for a 16-year-old guy, they are doing something innovative.
05:21Right. And usually, you know, you don't get to see this kind of people unless, you know, they appear at
05:25this kind of events. And, you know, you get to talk to them and you get to share your ideas as well
05:30on your problems at home as well. What about you, Heger?
05:33For me, it's more on the policy side. So as you can see, this is the first COP that is hosted by an Amazonian nation. In this COP, they have initiated a plan called TFFF, Tropical Forest Forever Facility, which incentivizes nations that are taking efforts to conserve their tropical forests.
05:56And Malaysia has around 54% land cover. And this is something meaningful for nations, especially in the global south, that is protecting their tropical rainforest.
06:06Because in previous COP, similar kinds of grants, similar kinds of climate finance mechanisms have been announced. But what differentiates between the previous finance mechanisms and this TFFF is this policy is something that is focusing on long-term investment rather than short-term project-based funding.
06:30So, apart from that, the most interesting thing that I've seen in this plan is around 70 countries have ratified or endorsed this fund. But unfortunately, many developed countries have failed to, you know, fledge how much fund they are going to contribute to this fund.
06:52So, this is a major setback. Because global south, Malaysia is a global south as well. Developing countries are nowadays more prone to climate change, more prone to climate disaster as we can see right now.
07:06So, we are depending on global north for their funding. So, when even US is not sending any official negotiators for this COP, so this is a major setback.
07:15So, I believe that in an incoming COP, major developed nations have to send their negotiators and also have to announce their financial pledging for global south to fund their conservation efforts.
07:30Right. I mean, that's an important point that you bring there. And especially with the initiative, specific initiative that you mentioned, TFFF is definitely something that Malaysia can look into as well and can benefit as well.
07:41So, yeah, definitely an interesting point to take on when it comes to COP30 and some of the initiatives that were mentioned.
07:50Right. So, I want to know a little bit because I've never been to COP and I'm always curious at how Malaysian youth or Malaysian representative were to interact with all these global leaders and global negotiators, right?
08:02So, as Malaysian youth, how were your specific concerns? Let's say, for example, you mentioned about rainforests just now, right?
08:10Or maybe impact of sea level rising or even floods, for example. How were they received by the global delegates? Maybe Hikap, you can start.
08:18Yeah, okay. For me personally, I tracked two tracks, which is climate justice and also climate finance. And talking about climate justice in the context of Malaysia, we have a lot of indigenous community here.
08:30In Peninsula Malaysia, we have around 18 different tribes and in Sabah Sarawah, even a lot. So, what these communities are facing right now is they are facing the risk of deforestation and also losing the rights of the land.
08:43And interestingly, most of the nations, especially in the Southeast Asia nations, they are facing the same problem as well.
08:50Indigenous community in Indonesia, indigenous community in the Philippines, they are facing the risk of deforestation, risk of encroachment, risk of funding the illegal projects.
09:03So, engaging with them, interacting with them makes me realize that in this region, we are facing the same problem.
09:11And to tackle this problem, we need to, you know, youths have to come together and also we have to address the roots of the problem, is it?
09:20All right. What about you?
09:22Yeah, I would say, based on my perspective, so Hagar mentioned, he have two focuses.
09:27So, in fact, this is my second COP. I was in the COP 29 last year.
09:32So, last year, it's more about climate finance. And then this year, because I have well known all this logistics, I have all this connection.
09:39So, for me, the main focus for me is youth engagement.
09:42So, there's a platform for myself to connect the youth with specific niches, let's say Hagar from climate justice or maybe from adaptation, mitigation.
09:51So, this year, actually, I've hosted seven sessions for a site event in different pavilion and also part of a representative from UNC Melayor.
10:01We also share what our research base is doing.
10:05And speaking about the forest itself, so how, actually, I want to mention how Malaysia concerned about Borneo forest and also part of a sea level rise.
10:13Because Borneo, in the world, there's ABC, Amazon, Borneo, and Congo.
10:19These three are the largest forests that people are concerning.
10:23So, they were taken seriously about biodiversity because we are in the venue and we have the focuses, unlike climate finance.
10:30And, of course, the forest protection, coastal resilience will actively discuss with many countries.
10:36So, we not only have Malaysia pavilion, we have ASEAN pavilion as well.
10:39So, in Malaysia, we chair this session, so we invited a lot of experts, especially as a youth, we can have all this perspective, how we're going to further develop this forest or protect or maybe international collaboration.
10:54Because that's the only chance that gather around all people around the world, youth, stakeholders, professionals, and we can make something, we can make a climate impact, climate action.
11:04So, when I raised concern about Borneo forest and also coastal sea level impacts, these are global issues that link to biodiversity and this response, people want to know what partnership or finance mechanism could help Malaysia act.
11:17Right. You mentioned youth just now and you yourself gave talks, you know, at the Malaysian pavilion, for example.
11:23Because you've been to COP29 before, how was the youth representation compared to the year before and this year?
11:29Yeah, I want to say the fact that in actually COP29, everyone was kind of, in fact, COP starts from COP2, I think, 19 plus.
11:39But COP29, maybe there's a transition.
11:41So, what I can see is the youth is not really well know what they are doing.
11:48They are getting familiar with all these logistics, site events.
11:51But in fact, this year COP30, everyone is very clear what they are doing.
11:55They are chasing all the statements, they have their different focuses, and we are more united.
12:02Like, we can gather together and make something happen.
12:04Like, people from, my friend from last year, at least for myself, I was like, are you coming to COP this year?
12:09Let's make something happen.
12:10So, this year, Hagar, I was introduced to them.
12:13So, we are trying to not just be personal, you know.
12:16When someone comes, we invite them, and then, yeah, they have their own focuses.
12:20So, this is something that make the impact bigger.
12:23I mean, it's really inspiring that both of you are there, and like you said, you know, representing different, different problems that youth wants to voice out, right?
12:34Because obviously, you know, youths are the one who will inherit this earth one day, and these problems are steadily exacerbated by a lot of things.
12:44You know, and youths are the one who have to solve this one day, and live in this world, and live in this earth with all these problems.
12:49So, it's really inspiring to see that youths are, you know, at these big, big events to voice out their concerns.
12:56Now, we want to talk a little bit more about, you know, COP30, and Malaysia, and the next step for, you know, how we can bring some of these policy ideas home.
13:06But, we'll go for a quick break first.
13:08Hello, and welcome back to It's About Youth.
13:26Today, I'm joined by two young climate activists, Hagar as well as Henry, to talk about their experience at COP30, lessons learned, and what they can bring home.
13:35Now, they talked about their experience during the first blog before break just now.
13:39Now, we want to talk a little bit more about the ideas and the solutions that were presented, and how we can bring it home, right?
13:47First and foremost, let's set the setting here, at least for Malaysia.
13:50So, how do Malaysia's climate commitments compare to what you heard from other countries at COP30?
13:56Your own personal opinion on this.
13:59Maybe, Hagar, we can start with you?
14:00Yeah, okay. Since 2015, where the Paris Agreement were ratified by countries, for each five years, every country has to submit a document called Nationally Determined Contribution.
14:11That's what we call NDC in the context of UNFCCC.
14:15So, when we're talking about 2025 this year, Malaysia have submitted its NDC 3.0.
14:21So, let's look at the NDC 3.0.
14:26Malaysia have pledged that it would peak the greenhouse gas emissions by 2029 to 2034, which is a great thing.
14:36And one more thing, they have pledged that they will reduce the emission of greenhouse gas emissions from 15 to 30 million tons.
14:46That's a great thing as well.
14:47And in this NDC, compared to other previous NDCs before this, Malaysia have incorporated on efforts on mitigation, adaptation, and it also included on how we can, you know, the use of public transport, how we can make our economy more greener, and that sort of thing.
15:09So, when we compare our NDC with other countries' NDCs, it's quite good.
15:15But let's address the main issues in this NDC.
15:19In our NDC, there hasn't been clearly stated on how we are going to address the gender inequality in climate change.
15:28It is a major issue because women are more prone to climate change than men.
15:34So, we have to address in our official policy as well.
15:37And also, talking about youth, in our NDC 3.0, there hasn't been a clear roadmap or clear ways on how we are going to empower youth in the context of climate change.
15:50But when we compare to other countries, even in our region, Southeast Asia region, Singapore, Philippines, they have their clear guideline on how we are going to incorporate gender and also youth as well.
16:00So, yeah, when we compare with other nations, especially in terms of Southeast Asia, we are quite ambitious.
16:08Our NDC is quite fair when compared to other least developed nations, but we are a little bit behind in terms of we compare with major developed nations.
16:19Right. Okay.
16:20Henry, do you have thoughts on this?
16:22So, youth and gender inequality is not addressed in our targets.
16:27What's your thought on our targets and commitments here?
16:29Actually, in the fact that Heger mentioned when he compared to maybe Singapore, actually, it's a very good practicing when we learn.
16:39As Malaysia, we are a good learner.
16:41We always learn from the best and we practice.
16:43But in fact, I would say the answer is yes and no.
16:47So, when you look back to our NDC, as Heger mentioned, actually, they are targeting to absolute reduction around 15 to 30 megaton CO2 by 2035.
16:59But how they are addressing?
17:00So, I will make this picture to like a smaller scale.
17:03So, in one of my sessions in Japan Pavilion, we have, I'm proposing one of our university, I'm from University Melaya.
17:11So, University Melaya is a kind of sustainable campus.
17:14So, we are doing a University Melaya net zero blueprint.
17:16So, this is part of the NDC that Malaysia will contribute to the climate.
17:23And also, in University Melaya net zero blueprint 2030.
17:27So, we are also focusing on the greenhouse gas emissions.
17:30So, which is direct, indirect, the one and two.
17:33So, how we address like mobilizing the transportation and indirect, how we encounter all the transport.
17:39Like, now we are doing something like remotely, we are working hybrid, like hybrid classes.
17:43This is part of the action that we are taking for climate, not just for visibility.
17:48So, all this projection, even though I know Heger has a bigger picture as a youth, as a gender, we are worried because the climate is already happening.
17:56Last week, we have flooding.
17:57But all this small action and all this system changing is a progress in Malaysia.
18:02So, that's a hope.
18:04That's a hope.
18:04And also, in fact, why Malaysia contribute NDC 3.0?
18:08So, all this thing is a very good practicing for us.
18:12And yeah, we are all good learning.
18:13We will keep on practice and mitigate all this issue.
18:16Right.
18:16So, you're saying that, you know, we have this ambitious target.
18:19But there are certain things that we might have overmissed, might have not looked at, for example, youth and also gender.
18:26But also, there's a lot of also on-ground initiative that are ongoing in universities, like University Malaya, for example, that are looking into how they can contribute to this national target.
18:36So, it's a long road ahead, but progress bit by bit.
18:39But also, it's good to have those critics for people to really look into how we can make it more comprehensive.
18:46Yes.
18:46Right.
18:46Okay.
18:47Let's bring it back to COP a little bit.
18:50You know, the final agreement on fossil fuel, for example, was heavily criticized for failing to include a clear roadmap to phasing out fossil fuels.
19:00And as a representative of a nation that, with significant fossil fuel industry, you know, we talk about Petronas, for example, what was your reaction to this?
19:11You know, is Malaysia doing enough to push this transition, this fossil fuel transition within the region?
19:18Okay.
19:19When talking about fossil fuel, even the COP itself is mostly funded by the fossil fuel companies.
19:24Right.
19:25And most of the delegates are coming from the fossil fuel background.
19:29Yes.
19:29So, I think we had around 1,600 fossil fuel lobbyists.
19:33Yeah.
19:33So, the commitment to phasing out or commitment to end our dependency on fossil fuel have to come from the organization itself.
19:44Right.
19:44Okay.
19:44That's the one thing.
19:45And when we're talking about Malaysia's commitment in terms of ASEAN, Malaysia's negotiators have clearly indicated their intentions on how to phasing out fossil fuel in terms of green industry,
19:59and also they have drafted clear plans on how to end the dependency of fossil fuel.
20:05But when we're talking about in the region of ASEAN itself, not many countries have the potential, have the financial capability for just transition.
20:17When we're talking about just transition, we are focusing on green industry that, you know, we are cutting down the dependency of fossil fuel and move back, moving on to a green economy.
20:30So, many of, you know, many of the youth, many of the workers tend to lose their jobs.
20:36So, this is the great challenge for ASEAN itself because, as I mentioned earlier, ASEAN, when we have developing nations, we have emerging developing nations, we have least developing nations.
20:50So, in order to unify the efforts on how to phasing out the fossil fuel, we need to have a strong political will and also financial will to, you know, cut the dependency on fossil fuel as a region.
21:02Right. Right. I mean, it's definitely something that the region has to look into if you want to focus on, you know, greener economy and renewable energies in the near future, right?
21:13Right. Another thing that was mentioned was the loss and damage fund was operationalized as well this year.
21:21It was an initiative back then, but the announcement this year that it was operationalized.
21:25So, from your perspective, you know, how should funds allocated to Malaysia be prioritized and should it focus on recovery for major floods, for example, or, you know, coastal defenses?
21:37Like, what's your thought on this? Maybe we can have Henry on this?
21:40So, I would say for the priorities points that I've looked through, especially in Malaysia point of view, of course, it's the immediate humanitarian residence,
21:49which is the support for the most climate vulnerable communities, for the early warning system, emergency housing, local recovery,
21:57because when you have people, you are taking care of them because climate change is the one who's concerning of the people.
22:05So, of course, yeah.
22:06And the next one will be the nature-based and ecosystem restoration.
22:09So, we have a very good peatland rehabilitation, mangrove restoration.
22:13So, this is also core benefits for the carbon and also coastal protection.
22:16And for long-term adaptation, infrastructure is mainly for the seawalls where we manage appropriate and retreat planning, local life-old diversification.
22:28Yeah.
22:29And I would say if Malaysia receives loss and damage funding, the prioritization should rapid support for the frontline communities.
22:37Let's say a mangrove and peatland restoration and infrastructure for coastal residents with easy access for local groups.
22:43So, money reaches people fast and they can take actionable action for the climate change.
22:48I mean, definitely something that Malaysia needs to look at comprehensively as well when it comes to, you know, where the funds should go.
22:54Yeah.
22:54So, talking about that, I want your opinion, probably a brief one.
22:59You know, if Malaysia can adopt concretely and immediately settle an issue that we need to settle almost, you know, in immediate nature,
23:08whether in policy or youth engagement or climate finance, what would it be based on what you have observed?
23:14Maybe Andrew, you can go first?
23:15I will highlight the short term to adopt about, especially I want to mention about youth.
23:22So, the youth advisory seats in national climate communities and the funding, especially the funding.
23:28Funding is very important for the youth lead adaptation pillars.
23:31So, actually, as you can mention, last year, I think there's around maybe six youth from Malaysia.
23:36But this year, there's an initiative from KBS, the Comunitian Beli Asuka, Ministry of Youth and Sports.
23:43They funded the talented people like Hagar.
23:47They go to COP.
23:48I think this year is around eight to nine youth.
23:50There's increment.
23:51There's increment.
23:51So, everyone have their different focuses, different point of view.
23:55So, what I want to say is not just maybe government, maybe stakeholders working with the same industry in climate change.
24:02They can really do funding to have the youth-led adaptation pillars because I would say youth is the most energetic in the conference.
24:11And, in fact, sometimes we do more research than them.
24:15So, when we work closely, we can work together.
24:17We can learn together.
24:19And maybe it's an investment.
24:20It's an investment for us, for self-development and also for the country.
24:24So, I would say the shorter one, within one and three years, we can have more events.
24:28And also, I think about to do the post-conference like this channel, why we are bringing COP, why is it important for youth.
24:36So, all this information to let the stakeholders and also the government or even though everyone involved, so, yeah, they can have this, that adopt.
24:44And for long-term one, I would mention about a clear funded transition roadmap, which is, I mentioned about the coal face-out schedule, investment in grid and storage,
24:56green industrial policy, like the Bellam Green Industrial Corporation.
25:00So, I know we just realized carbon tax in Malaysia and some sort of the very, very new idea of the green technology or maybe green tax or stuff.
25:12But, in fact, I can see most of the stakeholders or maybe people who are in the industry, they are really, oh, why government do this?
25:20So, instead, I would suggest maybe we can have more knowledge on this.
25:24So, in the long run, we are used to it.
25:27We are humanized on it.
25:28It's like Japan.
25:29So, they are not trained to have a very good recycle system.
25:32But, in fact, it's a policy to make them to become like this.
25:35So, this is a very good practice in the long run.
25:37Yeah, I think that's all for me.
25:39Yeah, for Malaysia, as I mentioned, Malaysia have clearly stated in its NDC that it will cut the emission by 45% by around 2030.
25:50But, we still haven't have the, you know, a guided, a clear framework on how are we going to implement this emission card.
25:59So, I think Malaysia should really look back into its NDC and have to set a clear guideline on how are we going to make these things action in the right place.
26:11Okay, that's one thing.
26:11And another thing, this is for the long term, I think Malaysia should start work on legalizing the decarbonization.
26:20Because we are talking about decarbonization, we are talking about just transition, we are talking about fossil fuel emission.
26:26But, until now, we haven't have the legal power to, you know, to force or to pressure the fossil fuel companies to reduce their emissions.
26:37We still haven't have the legal binding.
26:40So, I think Malaysia should come up with a really cohesive, really comprehensive legal binding so that we can really, you know, realize the dream of cutting 45% emissions by 2030.
26:53Right, I mean, definitely clearer guidelines, clearer regulations as well and more actionable items, things that we can get done and get done quick, I think.
27:03Right, we've heard it here today, climate action isn't just something discussed at COP30, it's shaped by energy, ideas and leadership, especially from young people right here in Malaysia.
27:15So, we hope today's conversation will inspire you to take your own step forward, no matter how small or how big, towards a more sustainable future.
27:23Thank you so much, Hega and Henry, for joining me here and that's all from me, thank you so much for watching.
27:33Thank you so much, Hega and Henry.
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