China Youth Position Paper Towards Rio+20

Introduction
20 years after the Rio Earth Summit, we are still far away from achieving many goals and targets that have been set by world leaders. Rio+20 now is of vital importance to international development cooperation. We, the Chinese youth, recognize the two themes that will be focus of the conference are: (1) Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development, (2) Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development. At the same time, we would like to stress our unique position and standpoint. As China Youth, we represent the voice of China and developing countries we demand all the stakeholders not to overlook the social pillar raised 20 years ago while pursuing the goal of green economy today. For developing countries, green economy can never be achieved before poverty eradication and sustainable development. On the other hand, as China Youth, we represent the voice of youth; it is we, the youth, who will lead the new era in effecting change, establishing economic structures and the preservation of our natural environment. We, the China youth, reckon the following challenges

Proposing new goals in green economy may undermine the initial goals in sustainable development Lacking incentives for public and private sectors to create green jobs Lacking competitiveness in green products and green technology among developing countries Emerging uncertainty in green jobs elasticity comparing to conventional jobs 2

Entailing jobs in certain conventional sectors due to a transition and adjustment to newly-invested green jobs Remaining uncertain that green economy would provide enough jobs and incentive to take those jobs Failing in deeper environmental decision making when youth continuously participate in global environmental forum Lacking technological and financial cooperation within developing countries and between developed countries and developing countries Absenting motivation for governments to comply to existed agreements and protocols Changing climate poses risks to marginal groups

We, as youth of a developing country, call for the global public sector to
Support scientific researches on sustainable agriculture. This can bring potential social impacts and green economy packages for different groups of countries. Promote freer trade, especially in environmentally friendly technologies or services that can benefit developing countries. Secure large-scale employment. Put in place social safety nets that support incomes. Limit the long-term negative impacts of unemployment through providing access to education and retraining of workers in developing countries. Emphasize private sector and regulatory mechanism. In addition to large corporations, private sector can contribute to green economy through environmentally conscious investment as well. Increase transparency of information disclosure. Corporate Social Responsibility Report (CSR) discloses information of social/environmental impacts caused by investments. Transparency of CSR report remains to be improved.

Provide financial support for marginal communities, whose basic rights and interests are likely to be affected by economic practices. Acknowledge youths active role in strengthening civil societys participation of national and international decision-making. Provide platforms for youth to speak their voice from schools, local communities, and relevant governmental agencies to international conventions, (with special focus on bringing collective voice from youth of developing countries to global communities).

Educate youth with green concept. The knowledge of green economy, social responsibility and creativity prepares future generation for the global challenge.

Cooperate internationally of technology development. Sharing talent and technology among countries, and professional exchange is necessary. Undertake quantified emission reduction. Support developing countries in countering climate change by transferring to them funds, technologies and personnel with stability and continuity.

Treat GHGs reduction not as means to confine the growth neither of developing countries, nor as disguises to trade protectionism, but as the common goal of the entire human race.

Support further solidarity and cooperation within developing countries, including the emerging economies that contribute to a rapid augmentation of carbon but still have low per-capita emission, and the Small Islands countries and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) that are most vulnerable to climate change despite their extremely minor GHGaccumulation responsibility.

Encourage fast developing countries to take international responsibility, to devote to their national commitments and to take the leading positions in promoting renewable energy instead of simply waiting for financial or technological transfer, considering the challenges, even opportunities, ahead of green economy trend.

Call for progressive co-striving for climate justice, which should be one of our priorities associated with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that officially addresses poverty eradication and environmental protection, in the context of the rich-poor gap being widened in different parts of the world.

Anticipate an amelioration of domestic policy-making in each developing country, including a better environment-related legislative system, an improved monitoring and feedback procedure, a harmonious balance between economic growth and societal progress, and a strengthened public participation.

Initiate youth NGOs and young representatives among developing countries, educational agencies to gather together during COP negotiations and Rio+20 to launch the Basic Four Youth Press Conference in the standpoint of young generation of these four countries.

Actively seek assistance from developed countries and cooperate with each other in sharing scientific knowledge, technological equipment and experienced personnel in order to improve the efficiency in GHGs emission reduction

We, as youth of a developing country, call for the global private sector to
Support green employment. This is another form of green investment where a long-term sustainable economic cycle is embedded Provide green job training. Advanced education should provide professional training including green technology development and green management Pay more attention to the promotion of adaptive capacity in sectors and groups that are more sensitive and more vulnerable to the risks posed by climate change than others, such as agriculture, fisheries and many other components that constitute the livelihood of rural populations

We, as youth of a global community, call for the global youth to

Encouraging youth participation both in national public policy implementation and inspection at local communities and in issues that are underrepresented by government policies. Encourage youths potential as effective agents to raise awareness and take actions towards eradicating poverty, promoting green technology transfer, innovating solutions to address environment, social, economic challenges. Involve youth in the design of and fund learning opportunities in national education system of environmental issues, in relationship to their economic, social, and political implications. Facilitate mutual learning of youth populations from different parts of the world, at local, national and international level by Internet and mass media. Increase youth responsibility not only as channels but also as missionaries between developing countries and developed countries in the process of technological, social, economical and environmental communication and negotiation.