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ASIA PACIFIC YOUTH POSITION PAPER TOWARDS RIO2012

Preamble
1. In recent years, the Asia-Pacific region has experienced robust economic growth. However, key challenges remain in ensuring that negative environmental and social consequences are vigorously tackled and that economic opportunities benefit all. 2. Severe and pressing issues which have arisen as consequences include climate change, biodiversity loss, energy and food security, natural resource management, natural disaster risks and deforestation. The transition to a green economy, revision of institutional frameworks on sustainable development and enabling of low-carbon solutions to energy issues are therefore central to address these interconnected challenges. 3. It is our firm belief as Asia Pacific youth, that Rio+20 marks an important milestone for the global community to critically reassess our collective commitment towards sustainable development and to implement the reforms that are necessary to transform our societies and economies. The decisions made at Rio+20 will have potentially widespread implications for the Asia-Pacific region. It is us, the youth, who will lead the new era in effecting change, establishing economic structures and the preservation of our natural environment. 4. Therefore, it is crucial that we effectively and strongly participate in decision making processes through the provision of important perspectives, thereby taking ownership of the trajectory of the Asia-Pacific's development path leading to a more sustainable future. 5. Keeping in view the diversity of the Asia-Pacific region, this paper sheds light on the most pragmatic recommendations made by youth, as vital change makers, to address our regional problems.

Green Economy to Eradicate Poverty


Introduction 6. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines a green economy to be one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. We, the youth of Asia Pacific, call for action at all levels towards the implementation of a green economy. We believe that it will address the problems we face in the region. With respect to problems of human welfare and equity, progress has been relatively slow. As for environmental problems, the region faces threats such as deforestation, pollution and impacts of climate change. Given that all countries face shared issues, we reaffirm the importance for nations to synchronize their national interests with that of regional goals and help each other progress towards achieving a green economy. 7. The Green Economy to Eradicate Poverty is an approach of three integrated sectors; Planet, People and Profit. The Asia Pacific region is more vulnerable towards the impact of climate change; therefore, urgent adaptations and actions to protect the environment have become an utmost priority. The world is faced with a dual challenge: climate change and poverty. If the current generation does not adequately address these, the planet in 2050 could become unbearable for human habitation. Every person on the planet has the right his or her share of consumption and production opportunities; right to access his or her share of resources and the right to live a life of dignity and quality. This will minimize ecological scarcities and environmental degradation. Horizontal economic growth will develop the quality of life, ensuring social equity and the right to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations. Therefore, we need to take leadership in designing a better world where equity, wellbeing, happiness, prosperity and peace for all is assured. 8. About 1.4 billion people in developing countries live under US$1 a day (World Bank, 2008). A recent study shows that in the Asia-pacific region, yields in 2050 for wheat will decline by 50% from 2000 due to climate change (IFPRI, 2009). We need to alter the current trickle down approach to actual action to alleviate poverty. Food security can best be achieved via a green economy. 9. The benefits of a green economy can be seen in the three sectors which are environment, economy, and society. It increases the resilience capacity of the ecosystem and quality of life as well as creates employment and business opportunities. Although it is difficult to shift to a green economy as there are short-term costs involved, we can take strategic steps to minimise these costs in view of the long term benefits. 10. The upcoming Rio+20 summit could be our last chance to save the planet. The world does not have the luxury to wait; steps must be taken to provide international policies and an actionable framework to transit to a green economy in the future. Challenges Poverty 11. Barring a few outliers, the Asia Pacific region has seen a significant amount of economic growth in the recent past. However, the standard of living of the lower strata in their respective societies has changed little, if not worsened. The promise of growth has often resulted in a mass influx to urban areas, creating slums, while corporate and urban oriented policies have meant that rural areas, and areas most in need of government help have been neglected. Thus, the poverty

cycle is perpetuated by problems such as a lack of access to affordable education, malnutrition, poor sanitary conditions and unemployment. In many cases a blind drive for improved economic indicators has meant that environmental issues have been sidelined or ignored, further exacerbating the problems faced by the poor as they are directly affected by a worsening environment, with polluted water supplies being the most common culprit. Climate change and natural disasters in Asia Pacific 12. The Business As Usual (BAU) attitude has caused climate change which led to an increased frequency in occurrence of natural disasters. Much attention has been placed on the recent natural disasters in the Asia Pacific region such as floods, earthquakes, glacial melting, coastal erosion, and other problems. Additionally, the worsening climate is closely bound with problems of coastal erosion, which affects island nations such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS) including Singapore, Sri Lanka and Micronesian states as well as nations which have populous coastal/low-lying areas such as Malaysia and Bangladesh. Glaciers in the mountains, the water tower of Asia, are also melting rapidly due to climate change and consequently, sea levels are rising, putting the entire human civilization at risk. To minimize the impact of climate change, we have to consider a new economic model which safeguards our natural capital. Industrial Pollution 13. BAU can also lead to environmental destruction from pollution released by companies. Some industries can indirectly cause damage to the environment; for example, shipping industries and tourism destroy coral reefs through unsustainable practices. A green economy with cleaner processes can help reduce industrial pollution. Over-exploitation of natural resources 14. People depend on natural resources for their basic necessities and other commodities. However, due to over exploitation by human activities, our natural environment has been continuously destroyed, and has made people susceptible to various health risks, natural disasters and loss of biodiversity, among others. Moreover, over-exploitation of natural resources has resulted in their rapid depletion and their inability to replenish themselves, making them no longer available for future use. An example would be marine pollution leading to the destruction of marine biodiversity and nurseries, and the contamination of food supplies from the sea. Furthermore, the lack of political will has paralyzed the policy making process preventing the realization of environmental aims. Already, Indonesia and Malaysia are facing deforestation rates of up to 70%. We have to balance economic growth and sustainable development so that we can let the environment and resources replenish themselves. Unsustainable agriculture practices 15. A large sector of Asia Pacific country economies is agriculture, usually accounting for most of Gross Domestic Product figures and/or employing the most people out of all other industries. There is extensive research that indicates strong correlation between agricultural growth and poverty reduction in such countries whose primary resource is arable land, including Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and Philippines Therefore, if our agriculture is unsustainable, we cannot solve problems of the development of insect resistance to pesticides and consequent use of stronger chemicals; destruction of primary rainforest; environmental pollution (soil, water, air) due to surface run-off; loss of land fertility, we will not have enough food to eat and consequently lose our land while sustainable agriculture will offer us the opportunities to diversify economies, reduce poverty through increased yields and creates new green jobs especially in rural areas, ensure food security on sustainable basis, and significantly reduce the environmental and economic costs of agriculture. Depletion of fresh water resources 16. Asia has more than 60 percent of the world population but only 36 percent of river runoff. In addition, our population and industries are growing exponentially. Therefore, there is an

increasing need for quality water. The lack of freshwater is likely to become one of the major factors limiting economic development. Water shortages are implicating the global grain markets, as regions highly dependent on agriculture have to rely on imports instead. The industrial pollution of water has simultaneously led to the deteriorating quality of water, spreading water-related diseases. As such there is a dire need to move away from the current economic model. Poor waste management 17. As a rapidly growing region, more and more waste is being produced at the individual and corporate level. Such wastes, especially chemical and hazardous waste substances, have to be treated properly before disposal. Recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives also have to be encouraged to reduce waste volumes and lessen strain on need for new raw materials. Lack of access to clean and renewable energy technologies 18. Access to a reliable and abundant source of energy is inextricably linked to sustained progress and growth. However, the most common sources of energy production in the region continue to be fossil fuel based and thus pose considerable risks to the environment in the short and long-term. These risks can be found in both the extraction of these fuels, where issues such as the toxicity of open-cast mines for coal and oil spills must be dealt with, as well as in their usage in production of these fuels. A concerted effort needs to be made to encourage new, and utilize existing, alternative energy sources that are less burdensome on the environment. Successful precedents already exist in the region, although a true transition is yet to be underway. Without more widespread implementation or research into the viability of other potential options such as wind and solar power, the present dependence on oil and other fossil fuels could lead to both an acute energy-shortage and a significant environmental crisis. We would also like to reduce the usage of renewable but unclean sources of fuel like biomass. Unsustainable urban development 19. More Asia Pacific cities have become the focal points as major consumers and distributors of goods and services. However, many cities tend to lack sustainable services such as buildings and transport systems. Therefore the need to build eco-friendly green cities is crucial since green cities will bring us a better quality of life for future generations. Inefficient Institutions and governance 20. There is a general lack of good institutional frameworks and structure in the Asia Pacific. Also lacking is the understanding of the concept of the green economy at governments, public and private sectors which leads to ignorance towards the benefits of a green economy. The current governance system is a centralized system which is based upon concentration of supreme power to a higher body resulting in an inefficient string of procedures that leaves way for corruption and time consumerism. The Governance has to be decentralized and adopt a bottom-up approach. The green economy initiative provides an opportunity for community based governance that benefits all. Lack of priority given to research and development 21. Achieving a green economy is also not a priority of many Asia Pacific governments because it is seen as a luxury and an impediment to economic development. More focus is placed on shortterm growth and problems, rather than long term sustainable development goals. This requires a change in mindset both on the ground and at the higher levels. Investing in greener practices in important sectors of the economy like agriculture and fisheries can not only increase efficiency and reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, it also creates new employment opportunities while conserving the natural resources of a country, giving the Asia Pacific countries a competitive edge. Unsustainable production practices 22. Asia Pacific has been in the spotlight for unsustainable production and consumption practices

on the global forum and is pressurized to comply with international environmental standards. Intellectual property protection rights prevent third world countries to reproduce the same technology for themselves. They are unable to purchase these eco-efficient technologies due to its high cost. The lack of resources for research and development hinders green growth and limits the potential of the youth of Asia Pacific who want to work on these issues and make a difference, but are held back because of unavailability of funds. Quality of Life 23. It is commonly agreed that there is an alternate way of measuring success in development instead of relying traditionally on economic growth. Currently, happiness, mindfulness and wellbeing of society that reflects the true quality of life is not taken into account. In a green economy, the social and environmental aspects of life have to be given equal weight. For example, although Thailand had 4.5% GDP growth rate in 2006, this does not capture the fact that in Bangkok alone, gaseous pollutants emitted from industries have led to an average of 100 deaths per day. Less pollution in a greener world means cleaner air and rivers, decreasing pollution-related health effects. Less harmful chemical use in the production of commodities will also lead to healthier work places and environmentally friendly products. Holistic indicators like the Gross National Happiness Index can be used to evaluate the quality of life in a country, which includes environmental health and standard of living. New concept 24. The green economy is still a relatively new concept, commonly believed to be a term used only amongst the educated. Poverty and social inequality in the region represents a large challenge to the achievement of a green economy. The large informal sector in various industries here might not be governed formally, and requires better integration into the economy. Recommendations 25. As the Asia Pacific youth, we believe that everyone, from governments to industries to the people, has a role to play in working towards a green economy to eradicate poverty. Our recommendations below are thus categorized based on action points for these 3 groups. A problem-based recommendation matrix according to the challenges above is available in the Appendix. Government 26. Current institutional mechanisms and infrastructure have to be strengthened, and good governance supporting sustainable development is also necessary. Governments need to be more involved in stewardship of natural resources rather than privatizing their management. They need to provide and commit to a clear and consistent long-term policy framework, including specific carbon emission reduction targets. Sustainable development strategies also have to be included in all sectors of government policy. In addition, the governments also need to ensure that these policies are implemented with continuous evaluations. Some policy options are to: 26 a) Introduce legislation and ensure strict enforcement of new and existing environmental laws which can provide for clean air, clean water, community-based trade and solid waste management, as well as implement international programmes like REDD+, among others. These not only regulate the extraction of our natural resources, they also improve the condition of our environment. 26 b) Introduce economic and financial reforms, starting with the government policy to internalize the externalities associated with unsustainable practices, for example, a tax on specific greenhouse gas emissions or implementing carbon trading. Subsidies for development of resource-efficient and renewable energy industries, investment schemes for research and development of such industries and payments for ecosystem services can create green jobs and

new employment opportunities. 26 c) Ensure government investments are spent on sustainable economic development. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis and other forms of risk assessment should be carried out to ensure that funds are not wasted and investments are worthwhile. This may become a role model for private and corporate sectors. 26 d) Introduce standards to facilitate the shift to green buildings and infrastructure to achieve low-carbon economies. 26 e) Make mandatory comprehensive studies such as Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) before sanctioning development projects. Similarly, Mountain Risk Engineering (MRE) and Tourism Impact Assessments (TIA) have to be done before developing mountainous regions in Asia Pacific. 26 f) Create policies towards sustainable agriculture by promoting land, pest and water management techniques such as Sloping Agriculture Land Technology (SALT), no-till farming and crop rotation which are found to be very effective for the Asia Pacific region. 26 g) Periodically assess the performance of approved activities, programs and projects through results-based monitoring and evaluation, focusing on the sustainability of projects and programs to decrease risks of failure. 26 h) Educate the local population to facilitate knowledge and technological innovation as well as to adapt the population to the more skills-based green economy. Firstly, the government can mandate more universities to conduct courses that focus specifically on the green economy and its challenges as well as increase funding for research and development. Secondly, there should be an inclusion of environmentalism in formal school curricula as part of the national education strategy to help the mass population (especially the less-educated) to adapt to the green economy. 26 i) Create an enabling environment for youth to organize their own initiatives, such as support through seed funding, entrepreneurship programs, research grants and relaxing civil liberties. 26 j) Enforce stricter anti-corruption laws in order to provide trusted and improved government services. Industry 27. Industry contributes largely to global GDP and the sustainability of its production processes is a very important component in the transition to a green economy. We suggest to: 27 a) Invest in long-term business strategies including research and development of clean and greener technology to reduce carbon and pollutants emission and increase energy efficiency. 27 b) Apply the Life Cycle Analysis in the production and effective use phase as a means to reduce business costs and impact on the environment. Using such information, carbon labelling can indicate to the consumer the amount of carbon emission generated during the production and consumption of the products. 27 c) Increase private and public cooperation to complement where there is a lack of government funding 27 d) Implement the 5Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, residual management) and invest in waste-to-energy initiatives to reduce waste volumes and lessen strain on need for new raw

materials. 27 e) Reduce use of harmful chemical substances in agricultural practices which will end up in our foods. To this end, we recommend organic farming as a method towards cleaner food production. 27 f) Make publicly available reports on corporate social responsibility initiatives and impacts of business practices by introducing green reporting systems to monitor, report and evaluate progress based on environmental, social and economic indicators. 27 g) Develop the eco-tourism industry to educate locals and tourists on environmental conservation, including sound management of such tourism to prevent green-washing, with guidelines and a council set up to monitor and evaluate progress. 27 h) Provide training programmes and workshops on corporate sustainability for white- and bluecollared employees. 28. Companies should be held accountable for polluting public goods like air and water. They should be held liable for the cost of cleaning up any polluted areas. People Increasing awareness 29. Education of the general public will reinforce government policies and legislation targeted at changing the unsustainable lifestyle of a consumerist society. It can address the lack of awareness and understanding of the people, empowering consumers to create demand for more environmentally friendly practices to reduce current unsustainable options. Education can nurture the paradigm shift in mindset required for sustainable living. Such can be achieved through incremental steps: 29 a) Observance of days and celebrations, for example, Earth Hour, Earth Day and World Water Day to increase the profile of the environmental movement and inculcate a greener culture in the community. 29 b) Youth making use of all channels of communication, for example, social media, traditional media, arts and cultural activities, to advocate the benefits of a green economy and lifestyle. A network of activists can be established to continue engaging with the public. 29 c) Encouraging youth to participate in the legislative process as a youth parliament to gain better understanding of how policies are created and implemented in their local communities. Additionally, youth can participate through feedback channels on government legislation, giving them a sense of representation and ownership in the development of their respective countries and thus encourage them to be more active in shaping their future. Monitoring Mechanisms 30. The people can serve as a system of checks-and-balances on corporations and on the government to prevent corruption by keeping track of implementation of policies. Regional and Global Cooperation 31. Regional and global cooperation has to be fostered to enhance management and effectiveness of implementation of environmental policies. This enables a better fit to global movements and conventions like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 31 a) Knowledge and technology transfer from developed to developing countries should be encouraged to aid developing countries in the transition to a green economy. This can be done through conferences and meetings within the region to share information and ideas, or review of

the barriers to technology transfer, while respecting Intellectual Property rights . 31 b) Increase the collaboration in waste management, including a regional monitoring and restriction of trans-boundary movement of waste. 31 c) Instead of countries trying to focus on localized damaged control, better coordination between the regional governments should be fostered to avoid fragmentation in environmental protection initiatives. Using a different development index 32. Holistic indicators of development like the Genuine Progress Index and Gross National Happiness Index may be used as better indications of true development of a country. Although difficult to quantify, these indices can help gauge the social, economic and environmental aspects of development. Such factors, when included in measurements of progress of a country, can help urge governments not to focus only on economic growth but other aspects of growth as well.

Conclusion 33. According to UNEPs Green Economy Report, just 2% of global GDP can kick-start a transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy. By achieving such a green economy, mutual compatibility of the environment, society and economy can be increased. A green economy can alleviate poverty, outperform the Business As Usual scenario, create employment and improve energy efficiency, while at the same time preserving natural capital. In this region where natural resources and ecosystem services make up 47% - 89% of the GDP of the poor, a green economy is the only way to secure our present and our future. As Asia Pacific youth, we call upon man, woman and child to take a step forward to a green economy now.

Energy for Low Carbon Future


Introduction 34. This section of the position paper presents the collective vision of the Asia Pacific youth on measures to be adopted to drive a low carbon future. 35. The Asia Pacific youth envisions a low carbon future as one in which 35 i) sustainable energy management is practiced; 35 ii) renewable energy sources are used widely effectively and safely; 35 iii) access and affordability of energy are enhanced thus ensuring the well-being of all; and 35 Iv) emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants are minimized to combat adverse climate change. 36. Firstly, this section of the position paper discusses the importance of the need to drive a low carbon future by highlighting the consequences of not doing so. Secondly, it discusses the key barriers to transitioning to a low carbon future. Finally, it describes the recommendations of the youth on how these barriers may be overcome through participation of various key stakeholders whilst emphasizing the role of the youth and the support the youth desires. Key Issues & Barriers Key Issues Adverse impact of global warming on the ecosystem 37. The use of fossil fuels and other conventional sources of energy is contributing to global warming, which is impacting hydrological regimes, and leading to consequences such as increase in sea levels, accelerated glacial melting, changing monsoon patterns, and extreme weather events. The increase in sea level is endangering the very existence of island nations in the Asia Pacific. With the increasing water levels, not only is the geographical landscape of the islands changing, but salt water is entering the water tables and destroying vegetation that is necessary for the survival of island people. If this pattern is to continue, displacement of people is inevitable due to lack of land and food. Similarly due to the accelerated melting of glaciers, several regions are faced with the risk of intensified floods, destruction of habitats, droughts and food shortages. Rise of energy prices and competition for energy resources 38. Rapid economic growth has led to the increase in energy consumption and production. Without a corresponding surge in the supply of energy, energy prices will increase. Competition for energy resources will leave many developing countries at a disadvantage. Lowered energy security because of increased competition of energy resources 39. The dependence of several Asia Pacific countries on certain other nations for fossil fuel imports is currently high and expected to grow steeply with rapid population increase and economic development. This is especially so for those countries with no known reserves of fossil fuels within their territories. This leaves the region highly vulnerable to volatile oil prices which can

be dictated by strong industry players in the energy market. For example, 98% of Singapores fuel mix is comprised of imported fuel oil and natural gas. Lack of affordable and accessible energy 40. In the present economic climate, energy is not sufficiently available and affordable to the masses which hinders equitable socio-economic growth. As supplies of fossil fuel dwindle, low carbon technologies will have increasing importance in meeting the ever-growing demand for energy and keeping energy prices affordable especially to poorer communities. Hence, it is foreseen to have multiplier effects on other markers of sustainable development such as health, education, access to clean water and sanitation, etc. Adverse Impact on Human health 41. There is also growing concern on the adverse impacts of fossil fuel use on human health, for example, emissions from fossil fuel combustion may lead to some respiratory illnesses. Such health impacts have tremendously increased the medical cost burden to the people and contributed to a reduction in labour productivity. Conflict over territorial rights which will provide access to limited supplies of crude oil 42. Crude oil, yet another leading fuel in the region is at the core of complex geopolitical entanglements triggered by conflicting territorial claims. Barriers 43. The Asia Pacific faces several challenges in the development of a sustainable low carbon future despite strong consensus that this is of significant long-term socio-economic benefit to the region. Key barriers to a low carbon future have been identified in following paragraphs. Ineffective collaboration & partnership 44. There is a lack of effective collaboration between public and private sectors and amongst nations in pursuing a low carbon future. 45. Lack of effective cooperation between national-level and regional-level governmental bodies and between governmental bodies and the public has led to inefficient and incongruent energy policies. 46. Governments are not participating actively enough in international environmental frameworks. Without international consensus, it is difficult to coordinate a concerted effort towards achieving a low carbon future between countries. Financial Barriers 47. The high start-up and operational costs and long payback periods associated with investment in low carbon technologies such as renewable energy production pose a financial barrier to potential investors. As such, it is difficult to attract investors. Consumers may not switch from conventional to alternative energy consumption as it is relatively more expensive which may affect the future profitability of alternative energy producers. Unless grid power parity is achieved between conventional and low carbon energy technologies, companies may not be willing to embark on renewable energy production.

48. Moreover, the financial attractiveness of renewable energy is dependent on the relative price of fossil fuels, which can be volatile. As such, this heightens the uncertainty of returns on investment. All these reasons pose financial constraints, which serve as a high barrier to entry for this industry. 49. In addition, there is a lack of seed funding for youth driven entrepreneurial initiatives in the area of low carbon energy for instance, innovations in energy efficient appliances. Barriers to social change 50. Currently, a majority of the society is using fossil fuel without sufficient knowledge of the consequences of their actions. This will cause a decrease in the reserves of fossil fuel, thus driving up the fossil fuel prices in the market. Moreover, it also decreases the demand for renewable energy. That creates more barriers for businesses interested in entering the renewable energy industry. Resistance to change 51. People seem unwilling to change due to the difficulties in both accessing renewable energy resources and changing their own daily lifestyle. There are only few companies working in the renewable energy industry currently, which further worsens the problem. Also, attitudes and habits are quite hard to break. Technological Barriers 52. Low carbon energies have shortages and limitations that hinder them from large-scale adoption. For example, as solar power is intermittent, efficient storage, which has not been realized technologically, is necessary if it is to be used as a main source for energy supply. Similarly, nuclear technology has not come into wide spread use because of residual problems related to safety and nuclear waste disposal. However, in most Asia Pacific countries, research and development (R&D) is quite insufficient due to limited funding amongst other factors. 53. In addition, the lack of human expertise slows down the speed of development of low carbon energy. Without researchers with rich knowledge and experience in green energy, technology breakthroughs can hardly be realized. Furthermore, the application of green energy calls for an increased number of skilled workers.

Lack of Sustainable Urban Development 54. As a result of growing urbanization, cities in the Asia Pacific region have to deal with rising motorization and energy consumption which lead to an increase in the global demand for energy. Cities suffer from a lack of institutional and policy frameworks to balance the increasing energy demand with the need to achieve sustainable development. Problems such as the lack of efficient energy infrastructure, public transport availability, and clean energy access have led to the rise of emissions contributing to climate change which impede a low carbon future. Absence/Lack of enforcement 55. There is a lack of definitive policies and strong legislation promoting the development of low carbon energy. The existing policies and regulations are not implemented effectively due to weak

and ineffective institutional mechanisms. In particular, there is significant potential for energy efficiency improvements particularly in the transport and building sector. However, lax governmental policies governing energy efficiency and conservation have resulted in little action. Recommendations To address Ineffective collaboration & partnership 56. National-level governmental bodies should communicate with regional-level governmental bodies in a timely manner. This will enable governmental institutions to perform their duties by certain deadlines. A way that we as youth would like to see the government increase its collaboration at the national level is by enhancing civil societys role, especially the youths role and having an open channel of communication with the government, allowing civil society to have a say in the policy making process, increasing NGO funding and increasing awareness of local NGOs. 57. Governments should actively participate in international frameworks and inter-governmental collaborations. Such collaborative processes should be transparent, fair, inclusive and demand accountability. Further, it is important to ensure continued collaboration, and sharing of knowledge and good practices after such collaborative events to ensure that the words are translated into effective action. To address Financial Barriers 58. In order to lower the high financial costs associated with alternative energy setups, it is imperative for governments to provide greater funding and incentives to encourage the production of alternative energy by the private sector. Potential measures include tax concessions or exemptions, feed-in tariffs, subsidies, grants, and easy credit availability for the procurement of production equipment. In addition, international energy agencies can also provide seed funding for alternative energy start-ups and research. Youth can encourage a higher willingness to pay for green products. To Address Barriers to social change 59. We need to improve education on low carbon technologies, sustainability, sufficiency and efficiency in using energy. This can be implemented via the increase in workshops, trainings, social environmental activities, public campaigns, advocacy via social networking platforms such as Facebook and environmentally oriented competitions which generate interest within the youth population. Innovative and interactive educational initiatives on environment and energy should be encouraged and institutionalized as well. This will increase peoples awareness on long-term benefits of a low carbon future and help them to tackle the fear of change. Implementation of carbon footprint labeling can help the public to make better purchasing decisions. To Address Technological Barriers 60. There needs to be enhanced diffusion of low carbon technologies from technologically advanced nations to other nations. It is proposed that efforts be made to establish an attractive investment climate for foreign clean energy companies and thus make technology transfer mutually beneficial to both the donor and recipient parties. Knowledge transfer through educational scholarships and student exchange programs should go hand-in-hand with

technology transfer. There needs to be more research & development into alternative energy technologies such as nuclear power to enhance their viability. To Address Lack of Sustainable Urban Development 61. As dominant consumers of energy, cities have an important role in energy conservation and efficiency. Being aware of unsustainable energy patterns and practices, cities should focus more on an integrated view of urban development including environment protection, which does not emphasize on socio-economic growth alone. Sustainable urban planning should integrate landuse and transportation planning that take into account sustainable energy production and consumption. The local context is critical for determining the policies and programs that should be undertaken by each country in Asia Pacific. In order to progress towards a low carbon future, urban planning should set low carbon footprint as one of its strategic objectives 62. Policies and programs to be considered for sustainable urban infrastructure whose adoption is contingent on each countrys and citys situation include those that: 62 a) Encourage the development and use of public transport systems and the decrease in the use of personal vehicles; 62 b) Promote the use of non-motorized transport i.e. walking and cycling; 62 c) Promote integrated and collaborative energy demand management initiatives; 62 d) Promote the development of energy efficient and energy conserving buildings, industries and districts 62 e) Increase and connecting green spaces and wildlife corridors Lack of enforcement 63. The legislative framework needs to be strengthened in a way that would promote a low carbon future, enhance compliance monitoring and accountability and establish an index for the measurement of energy sustainability.

Institutional Framework of Sustainable Development


Introduction 64. The Asia Pacific youth recognize public awareness & engagement, capacity building, policy and governance as key areas that encompass the concept of sustainable development. 65. This paper looks into identifying the issues and challenges in the Asia Pacific region and proposes recommendations under the above-mentioned categories. 66. Public awareness & engagement allows the community to identify the problems, while capacity building ensures a good and effective deliverance of policy implementation for sustainable governance. In addition, as policies are the tools towards better governance, the use of the right policies is mandatory to ensure authoritative and operative governance in setting the values towards sustainability. Finally, good governance is necessary for effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the policies. Issues & Challenges Public Awareness and Engagement 67. There is a lack of public awareness and sense of individual responsibility and civic engagement in the change of environmental laws. The basic definitions and the importance of environmental laws, conservation and sustainable development are not understood. Due to this lack of awareness, the public becomes less open to positive environmental change. 68. The public, especially youth, does not receive adequate impactful education on the participatory processes that enable effective engagement with the government or government agencies on sustainable development. On the government side, there is a lack of political will to engage different stakeholders and the public in these participatory processes. 69. The inability to access pertinent information, as well as the absence of proper benchmarking of environmental standards that can be referred to, contributes to the lack of accountability of the government to the public. Information on environmental policies and initiatives that are already available in public, such as Local Agenda 21, is not communicated effectively to communities, especially the youth. Due to this lack of accountability and information, the capacity and motivation of the public, especially the youth, to engage effectively with the government regarding the environment is minimized. 70. Even if there is growing interest among the youth to engage in the processes of environmental protection and sustainable development, most countries in the Asia-Pacific region do not have a sufficiently effective platforms for the youth to convey their messages, initiatives, and innovations.

In many countries, it is widely perceived by the youth that governments will not fully support their environmental initiatives. Capacity Building 71. There is an absence of by-laws, a lack of full understanding of technical regulations, and also unclear regulations and mechanisms for enforcement, which have left government and voluntary authorities relatively free to interpret them. They are also limited by their own knowledge and capacities, leading to difficulties with proper implementation of policies. 72. Most of the communities consulted across the Asia Pacific reflected on the poor state of environmental governance as a result of the ineptitude of the government and government officers, and their lack of knowledge, skills and political will to deal with environmental problems. Government officials low technical capacity and the high cost of training hamper their ability to incorporate environmental issues into their plans for their areas. Government officials also lack knowledge and experience in partnering positively through participatory processes with civil society organizations and local community groups in sustainable development. In addition, they lack awareness of available funding for environmentally friendly projects. 73. The insufficient skills, knowledge and experience of government officials leads to poor conceptualization, implementation and enforcement of policies, resulting in ineffective practices, inefficiencies, incongruent policies, and the lack of a long-term perspective. Insufficient governmental capacity makes it difficult to identify synergies of existing and future policies, resulting in the lack of an integrated and cohesive approach towards sustainable development polices. 74. People who are less well-informed about environmental issues make poor choices which leads to further environmental degradation, as they do not fully realize the consequences of their actions are contributing to the deterioration of the environment. There is also insufficient emphasis on environmental studies in Asia Pacifics education system. This accounts for inaction and apathy of the people. Policy 75. The existence of several Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), conventions, and organizations with no proper coordination and authority hinders progress regarding solving environment and sustainable development issues. 76. There is a lack of youth participation in policy making processes which in turn neglects the voice, opinions, and ideas of the future generation that could be vital in the formulation of comprehensive environmental policies. 77. The complex nature of the socio-economic and political fabric of communities is not always taken into consideration during the design and implementation of fair and equitable policies. 78. Lack of incorporation of environmental issues into socio-economic development policies and plans make it difficult to address sustainable development goal. Also, weak implementation of existing laws, rules, and regulations regarding environmental regarding environmental conservation is a major issue in most Asian countries.

79. As evident from the recent economic downturn, there is a greater tendency for governments to prioritize the expansion of the countrys fiscal and defence policy at the expense of implementing sustainable development plans. 80. There is a lack of awareness of potential revenue and economic growth from other resources that do not damage the environment, such as REDD (Reduces Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects, if necessary safeguards are taken. 81. The lack of advanced scientific expertise along with inconsistencies in research methodologies, creates a barrier to the formulation of effective environmental policies. Governance 82. Although most Asia Pacific countries have introduced a number of globally accepted principles on natural resources and sustainable environmental management in their legislative systems, in effective implementation, lack of monitoring and evaluation systems, and corruption hinders sustainable development. 83. Corruption, vested political and business interests across countries in the Asia Pacific contribute to massive exploitation of natural resources, that impacts sustainable development and stifles innovations. 84. Where there is corruption there is often obstruction of access to information and justice and en-curtailment of the freedom of speech. Hence, the participatory process is negatively compromised and the voice of youth is nullified. 85. There are a number of issues during the design and implementation of equitable policies such as the chain of corruption, poor compliance, poor due process, lack of accountability, transparency and ineffective monitoring processes within the communities. These issues exacerbate environmental degradation. 86. There is a lack in management and monitoring of sustainable development policies and programmes. If carried out, they usually are not open to public scrutiny and processes for change. 87. Ineffective evaluation results in a lack of accountability weakening the implementation and rationalisation of environmental policies. Absence of evaluation also means the youth fail to learn from past initiatives. Therefore their capacity is compromised. Recommendations Public Awareness and Engagement 88. Impactful environmental initiatives from the youth, civil society organisations (CSO), nongovernmental organisations (NGO), academia and the private sector should be encouraged to create a focused and targeted approach in order to raise public awareness and engagement in environmental issues. The government and relevant stakeholders should cooperate and coordinate in order to support these initiatives.

89. The youth should have access to official and professional platforms to voice out and their concerns to be heard at every level of the decision making process, in regards to issues such as environmental policies. There should be structural mechanisms in place to facilitate their voice, such as setting up youth councils, giving proper consideration to their recommendations, and implementing them at the local, national, and international level. Therefore, assistance must be provided to help youth to build awareness and capacity to take on such a role and be able to impact sustainable development in their respective countries and the world. 90. Development of discussion platforms which are particularly inclusive of affected communities on environmental issues is critical in ensuring the success of government initiatives. Having a more open public consultation process gives better access to information about government policies. This will also create an avenue for the government to better communicate their position of sustainable development and garner support for environmental policies. To diversify and gather perspectives as well as to promote the exchange of ideas and solutions, it is recommended that multiple generations and stakeholders be included in environmental dialogues and consultations. 91. Governments should also prioritize and allocate proper funding for mechanisms which are designed to increase public awareness and engagement regarding environmental policies and issues through education. Capacity Building 92. Government officials involved in the policy making process must be selected through a stringent selection process based on merits, experiences, academic achievement and technical knowledge. A review on the countries environmental regulations must be carried out and timelines must be set and kept through proper monitoring and evaluation and the youth should be an integral part of this process. 93. Governments should address low capacity of their officer to handle partnership collaborations with all stakeholders especially the youth through training and building up skills in community development. 94. Governments should form collaborations with international organizations so that knowledge, expertise and external help are available to the country to actively tackle environmental issues. Governments must maintain an open channel of communication with the grassroots so that feedback from the public can be worked out between the youth, other communities and the government, and partnership practices, for example participatory dialogues set in place. This builds a cohesive relationship between the people and the government. 95. Environmental studies can be introduced as a compulsory subject in pre-tertiary education institutions. Civil society and private sectors should establish an active collaboration with local communities, especially the youth, to educate the community and act as an avenue where members of the community can turn to for environmental advice and help. Annual events that promote awareness such as Earth Day can be adopted and actively participated in across Asia Pacific. These actions will enable better understanding and keep the people updated on environmental know-how. Capacity-building should be carried out by all stakeholders to enable the youth to take the lead in organising such events.

Policy 96. An effective development policy strategy should involve innovative and creative thinking supported by the youth while taking into account each countrys unique situation. This will be important in ensuring sustainable economic growth without compromising the environment and standard of living. 97. As each country has been guilty of causing pollution at some level, price-based policy instruments should be created by integrating environmental considerations into every day market decisions. 98. International, national, and local governments need to recognize the importance of environment services under the existing development plans carried out by communities. This could be carried out by using mechanisms that facilitate payment for environmental services. Furthermore, countries could raise awareness and facilitate the implementation of mechanism among the youth and public. 99. Governments should direct more funds towards environmental protection such as research and development for environmental initiatives. More importance should be given to other policies than it is being given right now so as to increase the facilitation of sustainable development. 100. Governments should take steps to create non-price instruments such as the implementation of performance standards that are at scaled and managed levels as opposed to being punitive. This could allow a certain level of reduction in environmentally damaging practices such as pollution. 101. Minimum environmental standards for areas such as energy consumption can be set to encourage use of green technologies. In addition, the value-added system should be revised to include direct and indirect environmental benefits encouraging businesses to implement green practices. 102. Governments should take steps to ensure the equitable and fair distribution of economic gains to communities, while ensuring that policies are sustainable and designed to be robust enough to withstand economic downturns. 103. The design and formulation of environmental policies need to accommodate environmental, social and political aspects. To promote environmental policy innovations, it is recommended that environmental innovation policy centers and pilot projects be established. The innovation policy centre can be set up based on a partnership approach, spearheaded by a governmental interagency committee with collaboration with academic institutions, private associations, CSOs, NGOs and youth groups. 104. Existing organisations with more governing and implementation power could push countries towards more environmentally friendly trade, for example, the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This could be carried out by methods such as environmentally- friendly trade and eco-labeling. This will help countries to evolve from a Business-as-Usual (BAU) system to a more sustainable one.

105. Governments should work together in creating an umbrella organization, with active participation of youth and public, to solve the coordination and authority problem caused by the fragmented existence of several MEAs, conventions, and organizations. 106. Civil society, academia, and the government should exchange ideas, information, and scientific expertise regarding environmental research and development through dialogue sessions and public seminars. Governments should also take steps to collaborate with the youth in environmental projects which could lead to better understanding of environmental issues. Governance 107. Comprehensive environmental governance must be a top priority and all sectors must cooperate towards it. 108. A general regulatory framework for the development and enforcement of environmental rules and regulations should be created and a specific global body should be assigned the general responsibility for this framework. This specific governmental body should co-ordinate with other government agencies, UN agencies, youth NGOs and other key development stakeholders, regarding the development and enforcement of environmental standards and imposes penalties for violations of any applicable environmental standards. 109. The chain of corruption can be broken by increased accountability transparency and responsiveness on a local, district level or a federal system through the involvement of community governance. 110 NGOs and the public can be empowered to take on responsibility of monitoring and evaluating the protection of the environment. They also need to be held accountable for their actions and remain independent from government. 111. There should be an international environmental assessment tool to annually measure how well countries are moving towards their commitments to sustainable development under Local Agenda 21. Youth organisations can produce a shadow report to complement the official government report.

Conclusion
112. Since 1972, the international community has been trying to reconcile economical growth with environmental protection. In the past 40 years, there has been a change in focus to protecting the environment as a basis for societies to progress and economies to flourish. 113. In this respect, this paper has outlined our priorities for Rio+20 as the Asia Pacific youth. We believe that the achievement of the three themes will provide for a future that ensures the wellbeing of all people in an equitable manner while conserving natural capital for current and future generations. As youth, we will be facing the implications of any action plans implemented now that are the stepping-stones towards such a future. 114. Therefore, we are eager to be a part of the forward momentum towards a green economy to eradicate poverty, towards energy innovations for a low carbon future and towards an institutional framework for sustainable development. However, in charting these territories and amidst new terminologies, the original intent of the meeting of the nations in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, should not be obscured or forgotten. 115. Principle One of the Rio Declaration states that human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. Chapter 25 of Agenda 21 states that The involvement of today's youth in environment and development decision-making and in the implementation of programmes is critical to the long-term success of Agenda 21. We, the youth, are not simply the germinal core of human beings. We bear the consequences and impact the nexus of the past, present and future actions and decisions. Any agenda or outcome of Rio+20 that sidelines the youth, at this opportune moment, is one that is not realistically sustainable. It is not participatory; it is not equitable. It goes against the spirit of the Rio Declaration. 116. We, the youth, as global citizens reaffirm and advocate the Rio Declaration to our nations, to the international bodies concerned, to private sector organizations and to all stakeholders. We must be heard in the policy arena. We must be involved in the planning and implementation stages. We must participate in the design of good governance structures. We must be included in accountability and evaluation processes. 117. We hold the guardianship of the planet. We are the future.

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