This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on December 25, 2023 - January 7, 2024

With over 90,000 delegates attending the United Nations 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), we represented the Malaysian Youth Delegation (MYD) with the goals of following negotiations, networking, and forming regional and international collaborations with other youth groups and experts within the climate space.

Throughout the two weeks, MYD closely followed the tracks of Action for Climate Empowerment (otherwise known as ACE), carbon markets (under Article 6), Global Stocktake and just transition. Our detailed findings and outcomes regarding the key agenda items at COP28 will be published as a post-COP28 report in mid-January.

The youth play an important role in processes like COP. They provide check and balance and an additional perspective on policymaking. It is also a vital capacity-building measure to ensure that the planet’s future leaders have the exposure and knowledge needed to move forward.

The presence of Malaysian youth is vital to ensure inclusivity from a region that is largely underrepresented yet heavily affected by climate impacts, that being Southeast Asia and the Global South.

Access to COP remains inequitable, however. It still takes the privilege of opportunity and great cost, often requiring sponsorship, crowdfunding or hefty self-funding, which is often unavailable to the most vulnerable and those who need such platforms. Hence, there is an added responsibility for those who are present to ensure no one is left behind.

MYD, for instance, ran a fundraising campaign to send its three representatives to COP28.

At COP28’s second ministerial meeting, then Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad — now the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability — made a national statement emphasising the importance of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) in the policymaking process, a core UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) principle crucial in ensuring equity among nations’ contributions towards climate solutions.

He also shed light on Malaysia’s initiatives and ambitious goals in achieving the 1.5°C goal as the highest-ranking Southeast Asian country in the Energy Transition Index 2023 Report — including the National Energy Transition Roadmap and Green Electricity Tariffs, among other ambitious decarbonisation and renewable goals — on the global stage.

The Malaysian Pavilion made its mark at COP28 this year with the theme “Going Beyond: Green Growth, Resilient Community, and Sustainable Planet”, with a spotlight on Malaysia’s just energy transition and innovations. More than 100 climate experts and advocates from various countries and backgrounds were invited to speak at the pavilion, showcasing sustainability initiatives and collaborations in order to achieve national climate goals.

A highlight of the pavilion was Multi-Level Action Day, where youth, MYD included, were spotlighted as stakeholders in the climate crisis and provided dedicated programmes to showcase their work. However, more integration of varied stakeholders throughout the pavilion’s programmes would provide a more holistic approach to Malaysia’s commitment towards whole-of-nation climate advocacy.

Per MYD’s observations, there has been increased awareness and initiatives towards youth inclusion within climate diplomacy spaces. This has been reflected in the speaking opportunities given to YOUNGO, the youth constituency of the UNFCCC, within the negotiation halls. What’s more, the first-ever Youth Stocktake, which assesses the effectiveness of youth inclusion in UNFCCC processes, was hosted as a mandated forum event (“Youth Climate Dialogue”).

Although youth have been provided with more opportunities to speak, the question still remains as to whether their voices have been seriously heard and taken into account in decision-making processes. However, MYD believes that every step counts, and with the collective effort of stakeholders from all levels, more meaningful participation opportunities in decision-making processes can be created and we can strive further to enhance youth inputs in policy texts.

Overall, it is crucial that high-level spaces continue to push for equity and inclusivity. While it is a milestone that the very first global stocktake acknowledges the need to transition away from fossil fuels, care must be taken to ensure that developing nations and vulnerable groups are adequately accounted for and for the Global North to be held responsible for the level of ambition they are capable of achieving, once again returning to CBDR.

MYD hopes that Malaysia will push for more progressive climate goals as it grows into a high-income economy while holding the principles of inclusivity for indigenous groups, vulnerable communities and youth close to heart.

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