Back from

Copenhagen

Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore)

POST COP-15 REPORT
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CONTENTS PAGE

Group Message 4

The Team 5

Climate Change Imperative 6

COP15 / Hopenhagen 7

Activities Undertaken 8

Reflections 17

ECO’s perspective 18

Beyond COP15 21

Appendix 23

ECO Singapore would like to thank the following sponsors

for their kind generosity and support.
Banyan Tree Global Foundations, Singapore Airlines,
Young AMP and Chinapower Plus Pte Ltd.

For enquiries, please contact

Wilson Ang (President/Founder)
Tel: (65) 6333 5543 / 9147 4541
Email: marketing@eco-singapore.org

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
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Charity Reg. No: 1739
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There is no doubt that our world is changing and this includes

our climate. Impact will be felt beyond mere environmental loss.
Instead, this loss will induce geopolitical, social and economic
challenges which have already begun surfacing. The issue is
real, urgent and severe; silence (inaction) is no longer an option.
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GROUP MESSAGE

Climate change is real, urgent and severe. In the past few years, developments in climate science
and increasing observable occurrences of extreme weather events have brought climate change to the
forefront of the global agenda. The 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change has conclusively demonstrated climate change is unequivocally human-induced. Despite this,
measures being implemented so far have been woefully inadequate

At this critical juncture, we have a narrow window of opportunity to put in place concrete and far-
ranging measures that will determine the fate of humanity and the Earth at large. If we decide not to
do so, the cost of inaction will be massive and irreversible. Ultimately, climate change is not solely an
environmental issue, but also a humanitarian, moral, security, social and economic one, one that truly
affects all spheres of human civilization, from food security to the question of basic survival for the most
vulnerable.

Recognizing this, 15 of us from Singapore, took part in the United Nations Climate Change Conference
(UNCCC) held between the 7th and the 18th of December 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Working
with youth leaders and youth-led organizations from all corners of the globe, as part of the Youth
Constituency under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), better
known as YOUNGO, we participated in several of its initiatives to make our crucial voices heard

2009 was a landmark year for YOUNGO. For the first time, the youth constituency was formally
institutionalized and recognized by the UNFCCC as a stakeholder in the emissions reductions
negotiation process. The youth constituency, with its new status, will provide a much needed
perspective to the political negotiations. It is a great opportunity for passionate youth to come together
effectively in one unified voice to show the world that there is much at stake and that young people are
key stakeholders in finding solutions.

Recognition of the role of youth as pivotal stakeholders in the climate change negotiation is timely, well-
deserved and long overdue. Youth are essential stakeholders that will inherit decisions made today,
and will live in the social, economic and environmental condition that result from actions taken.

As constituents of YOUNGO, we pushed for greater efforts in tackling climate change by global
leaders. We have created a global network of alliances in hope to continue motivating leaders along
the directions of green policy formulation and spreading grassroots adoption of a sustainable lifestyle.
Together, we aim to continue strengthening this global youth movement in the months and years to
come.

In the following pages, we will share our experiences during the UN Climate Change Conference
and future direction we aim to take in promoting green movements locally and internationally. As
representatives of the Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore) delegation, we hope that you
will find our experience insightful and will continue to lend support to our cause.

The ECO Singapore Team

January, 2010

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THE TEAM

In-line with the organisation’s mission to engage Singapore youth on global efforts to curb climate
change, 15 youth were selected to attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Conference of Parties (COP 15) held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 7-18 Dec 09 under the banner of
ECO Singapore. The delegates were selected through a highly competitive process , which consisted of
passionate future leaders and budding environmentalists.

Partially sponsored by Banyan Tree Global Foundation, they worked closely with over 2000 youth
internationally to push for a legally binding agreement that would be fair to all parties and ambitious in
nature. The 15 delegates played lead roles in the International Conference of Youth (COY) held at the
sidelines of COP 15. They were also involved in consultations with eminent international leaders and
business groups. Refer to Appendix B for profile of the ECO Singapore delegation.

Objectives at COP-15
(i) Sensitize the Singapore public to climate change issues and what is at stake at the negotiations
(ii) Empower delegation members to be local and global leaders in the fight against climate change
(iii) Support and shape the global youth environmental movement to be a credible stakeholder in efforts to
mitigate climate change
(iv) Contribute the perspectives of Singapore youth to on-going global climate change negotiations

1) Refer to Appendix A for background on Environmental Challenge Organiszation (Singapore)

2) Participants were shortlisted based on the merits of two essays on climate change they submitted and were thereafter chosen after a series of presentations and discussions.
3) Our delegates are Singaporean youth from all races and walks of life. 12 of our delegates are Singaporean youth based in Singapore while 8 are studying in the UK and 1 in the United States.

Our Youth. Our Future

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CLIMATE CHANGE IMERATIVE

“Climate change” refers to
the change in weather patterns
over an extended period of
time, spanning from decades
to millennia. These changes
can manifest themselves in the
form of melting glaciers and
icecaps, changes in vegetation
cover distribution, collapse of
ecosystems unable to adapt and
perhaps most famously, rising sea
levels.
Though it has been debated
that climate change is a natural
cyclical phenomenon the earth
undergoes, human actions
have played a significant role
too as reflected conclusively in
the 4th Assessment Report of
the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change.
Global greenhouse gas
emission levels have increased
by 70% between 1970 and
2004. Following this trend, it is
expected that the global average
temperature will rise by 1.8 to
4.0°C by 2100. An increase
of 2°C is expected to have
catastrophic effects on our climate
and many ecosystems.
In this regard, climate change
will have a profound impact on
human rights as enshrined in the
Universal Declaration of Human
Rights such as the right to life,
security, food, and health. At the
same time, efforts to mitigate the
causes and effects of climate
change are raising complex
questions on the economic rights
of nations to prosper and improve
the lives of their people.
Pressing concerns include rising
sea level which threatens low
lying coastal cities and small
island states such as ours.
Proliferation of certain diseases
has increased as a result of
rising temperatures which enable
disease carrying micro-organisms
expand their geographical reach.
Weather patterns have also
become more unpredictable
and violent. Climate change has
been attributed to the increased
hurricane frequency and intensity
in the North Atlantic as well as
prolonged heat and cold spells in
different parts of the world over
the last few years.
Climate change will have
profound impact on national and
international security as conflicts
over natural resources may
rise dramatically. Changes in
migration patterns and a surge of
refugees may become inevitable.
If we do not act decisively and
with greater resolve, there will be
a major shift in global order and
we will have no one to blame but
ourselves.

Our Youth. Our Future

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Charity Reg. No: 1739
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COP15 / HOPENHAGEN

COP15 has been cited as a

disappointment by many. This
comes as no surprise as hopes
were high for a legally binding
and fair document which will lay
out concrete steps in mitigation,
adaptation, financing and
technology transfer. There were
no specific steps adopted to move
the process significantly forward.
In addition, there was a general
sense of mistrust between
many countries due to the lack
of transparency of some of the
negotiations.

While these developments do not

bode well for future talks, COP15
did not end in stalemate. Key
players eventually came together
to work out a Copenhagen Accord
which sets some foundation
towards the Mexico negotiations
in 2010. While the Accord is not a
legal document and does not bind
nations into action, it provides a
template for future discussions
by laying out points of agreement
among key nations.
In addition, progress was made
in narrowing the divide between
developed and developing
nations. These parties have
agreed to monitor, report
and verify the cuts they have
committed themselves to,
under the Copenhagen Accord,
albeit to different extents. This
is in contrast to the Kyoto
Protocol, where only developed
countries made commitments
that were subject to compliance
mechanisms.
Furthermore, this COP saw
a massive rise in civil society
participation which indicated
increased awareness regarding
the urgency of climate change.
Youth representatives provided
new perspectives to the
negotiations, especially at a
conference traditionally attended
by bureaucrats and politicians.
The high level of participation
in variety of non-violent actions,
from candlelight vigils to
hunger strikes, conveyed public
expectations on the delivery of a
concrete action plan at the end of
the conference.
A notable stumbling block for
COP15 was the NGO ‘lock-
out’ during the final days of the
negotiations. As a response to
the violent protests occurring
on the streets of Copenhagen,
many NGOs were prevented
from entering Bella Center, the
key negotiating area. This led to
further dissent which motivated
NGOs into doing more and
planning actions that were to
follow up on negotiations at
Copenhagen. These dedicated
NGO leaders continued to work
hard during the second week,
particularly on strategies that
focused on tasks post-COP 15.
NGOs tapped onto the networks
they have built with other
delegates and organizations
within and beyond their respective
countries.

Our Youth. Our Future

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ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

The team with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Copenhagen

“ You need idealistic people, especially young ones, who

will go out and campaign, champion for good environmental
causes and make sure people pay attention. ”

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressing the ECO delegation,

December 2009

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ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

Our strategy during COP15 was to have a wide participation across

different functions of YOUNGO. Being a small group, we effectively
split ourselves according to areas of interest and competencies
ensuring we were able to contribute significantly and effectively to the
youth movement.

Our delegation took lead roles in the organization of the annual Global
Conference of Youth (COY) held before the start of the UNCCC. Over
the course of the UNCCC, the team actively engaged Singaporeans
through online media tools. We participated in policy lobbying, assisted
YOUNGO with media and communications and increased capacity for
interaction between delegates and youth.

Our leader, Wilson Ang, actively served in the Youth NGO (YOUNGO)
Steering Committee, which provides oversight to all the youth activities
at COP 15 and facilitates coordination between the UNFCCC and
the global youth delegations attending the conference. Wilson was
also appointed as the Primary Focal Point tasked with facilitating
communication and coordination between the UNFCCC and the entire
youth delegation.

Along with the above, we attended side events organized by various

organizations and universities such as Cambridge University and the
University of Copenhagen. Issues ranged from politics, to the role of
businesses, to scientific studies on sustainability.

As a finale to our experience at COP 15, we were priviledged to meet

our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss the issue of climate
change at a policy and grassroots level relevant to Singapore.

Our Youth. Our Future

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ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

Organization of the Conference of Youth

ECO Singapore took lead roles in organizing the Conference of

Youth (COY), held between the 5th and 6th of December, before the
official start of the UNCCC. The conference aimed to educate youth
delegates about the UNFCCC process, build capacity and skills such
as lobbying, campaigning and using new media.

Breaking into different working teams, YOUNGO kept track of policy

developments, lobbied negotiators and engaged with media. Along
with this, we sought to make climate change a more tangible and
human issue, thereby motivating negotiators to see the bigger picture
of the issue.

Agathe Caviccholi was the chairwoman of COY. She actively hosted

events during the conference and effectively facilitated discussions.
Prior to COY, Loo Yong Ping designed the identity for COY and
Youngo as well as all related collaterals. Zhang Yi Tao and Ng Zhi Kai
also worked assiduously to assist the organizing of COY by managing
the registration and information counters.

Being a diverse group of youth, the interaction shared during COY

increased our openness to a variety of views, opinions and demands.
This motivated us to ensure that while projecting the opinions of
YOUNGO, due respect and support was given to the less represented
and underdeveloped states. Recognizing the importance of this, Yi Tao
played a leading role in the Global South Youth group that started from
COY. Together, the group pushed the agenda of increasing the voice
of Global South youth participants through coordinating events that
portrayed the global south as a united front with a strong voice.

Our Youth. Our Future

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This year’s COY, the 5th to be

organized, marked a significant
achievement for youth in the fight
against climate change. Over 1000
youth turned up this year, twice the
number seen in previous years. More
significantly, YOUNGO has been
granted provisional constituency status
which legitimizes the role of youth in the
negotiation process.

Formal constituency status of YOUNGO

is due to be granted by 2011.
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ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

On-The-Ground Conference Coverage

Through our team’s blog (www.unfcccecosingapore.

wordpress.com), which was started during COP14,
we provided on-the-ground coverage of COP15.
This blog proved to be a pivotal tool to educate
and engage with other youth who did not have the
opportunity to be at the negotiations.

During the conference, our delegation posted

regular updates and crafted think-pieces based on
the progress of the negotiations through our official
ECO delegation blog. We aimed to ensure that the
Singapore public is able to follow events closely and
garner our unique on-the-ground perspective.
Our blog had an average readership of 400 daily
readers during the conference. Along with this,
we were published in other widely read blogs and
websites including The Online Citizen, which is
known for its popularity with Singaporean youth,
Green Business Times, which is well-associated
with business followers, as well as ECO Walk the
Talk.
Further to this, we uploaded photographs and
videos providing a visual coverage of the conference
on ECO SmugMug and YouTube. These materials
were made available for use by youth participants at
the conference.
In order to provide a broader
perspective of the conference
to our readers, Loo Yong Ping
initiated a collaboration with
other Asian youth delegates to
blog on each other’s sites. We
currently have guest bloggers
from Malaysia and Japan and
have formed online networks
with official delegation blogs
from Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia,
Myanmar and South Korea!

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
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Charity Reg. No: 1739
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ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

Policy

As youth delegates, we aimed to provide constructive contributions to the negotiation process. To do so,
it was important for us to understand the policies at hand and the negotiation process. Through thorough
analysis of policy papers, we proposed concrete areas for amendments and inclusions.

Eileen Lee was involved in the YOUNGO Gender group which aimed to work on gender issues from a
youth perspective. She had the opportunity to work on the policy brief calling on official delegations to
acknowledge the need for gendered language in the accords.

Melissa Low and Amira Karim were active members in the YOUNGO Adaptation group. Pouring over texts
of the Ad-Hoc Working Group Long Term Cooperative Agreement (AWG-LCA) and acquainting themselves
with the legal texts, positions of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the African bloc, and Annex 1
countries, they pushed for greater cooperation among developed states in the assisting with the adaptation
of less developed, vulnerable states. They proposed alternative language to the text and called on leaders
to acknowledge that adaptation is crucial for the social and economic development of all parties and
therefore require global participation. Further, the team emphasized that adaptation and mitigation efforts
has to go hand in hand, as the level of adaptation required in the future depends on the level of mitigation
achieved now.

“Ladies and gentlemen,

Kyoto divided the world.
It divided us between rich
and poor, developed and
developing, Annex 1 and
non-Annex 1. Our task now is
to unite the world, behind the
shared vision of low-carbon
growth… I call on every
country in the room to join
us, not just for the sake of the
Maldives, but for all of us who
live on this beautiful planet.”

President Nasheed of the

Maldives

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ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

Intervention

Fear was common among members of the

youth that our efforts would be in vain with our
suggestions in policy negotiations left unheard.
To prevent this and to gain legitimacy, the media
was actively engaged along with active lobbying
of official delegates. Youth interventions were held
during official negotiation sessions to voice our
demands for a binding and fair agreement at the
end of COP15.

Our delegation was highly involved in the crafting

of youth interventions. Zhang Yi Tao and Amira
Karim were engaged in the preparation of the
youth interventions held during the AWG-KP and
COP Plenary. Pouring through documents from the
various sessions to distill the main issues where
negotiations were stalling at, they worked closely
with other youth to discuss how to well represent
these issues. Condemning developed nations for
carbon colonialism, Amira presented at the COP
plenary session, calling for greater concerted efforts
in regards to adaptation policies.

Refer to Appendix C for the transcripts of intervention

staged.

“We have recently been made aware that some of you present in this
room are proposing a fundamental overhaul of the UN process. You have
proposed a new framework that will overturn the balance of obligations
and responsibilities enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change. You have erected barriers to exclude your peers from
influencing their own futures, and in turn, have acted contrary to very
principles of inclusion and equality that lies at the core of the United
Nations. This imposition without discussion is tantamount to carbon
colonialism—a profoundly destructive development that the youth are
compelled to condemn.”

Amira Karim, Addressing the Conference of Parties-15 Plenary

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ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

Media and Communications

Communications play an
important role in providing
momentum to a cause being
fought. Especially in a global
issue such as this, civil society
beyond Bella Center and
Copenhagen is important.

Further to communicating to
Singaporeans, the delegation
worked within YOUNGO in
providing media coverage via new
media technologies and traditional
media sources. International
media were contacted to release
information on youth strategies
and actions during the course of
COP15. Live-feeds were provided
on mainstream media and blogs
through write-ups, photographs
and videos on an almost daily
Project Survival Media is a global
basis. This provided international
network of youth journalists reporting from
audience with an alternative
the front lines of regions already facing the
perspective of the climate change
climate crisis, and from COP 15. It aims to
conference while providing the
amplify the voice of the underrepresented
youth constituency a greater
by traditional media and launching
reach.
“Survival” to the forefront of the debate.
Gabriel Teo was the editor
G-1 Billion is a multilingual blog, where youths report on the non-
of the youth segment in the
negotiations aspect of COP15: events and festivals which do not
Stakeholders Forum, a newsletter
usually get coverage from mainstream media.
which, with an outreach of 30,000
readers, aims to amplify the
under-represented stakeholders
in COP15. Loo Yong Ping was the Asian Team Leader with PSM where prior to
COP15, he coordinated Media Teams in the Fiji Islands, Indonesia
Eileen Lee and Loo Yong Ping and Philippines to produce short documentaries along the theme of
worked with other Youth Media survival and rising sea levels. In addition, he also designed the PSM
groups such as G-1 Billion and trade stand for COP15, PSM logos (for Flickr, YouTube) and produced
Project Survival Media (PSM). the PSM opening title sequence.

Our Youth. Our Future

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ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN

Capacity Building
Capacity building is defined as the “process of developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities,
processes and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive in the fast-
changing world.”

This is the first Capacity Building Working Group to be created in COY with approximately 30 volunteers.
Breaking into smaller teams they facilitated projects such as World Café sessions and side workshops
which addressed issues of interest to environmentally-conscious youths. These projects facilitated
delegates to network and share knowledge and experience of different green activities organized by various
NGOs. Introductory seminars focused on educating interested delegates on topics such as adaptation,
carbon trading and green technologies.

The ECO delegation, led by LJ and Sye Yuet, were part of the organizing team for the COP15 World Café.
Connections were forged beyond geographical boundaries and the resulting ideas managed to solve
otherwise nation-centric issues.

Our Youth. Our Future

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Charity Reg. No: 1739

REFLECTIONS
Most of us hoped to see nations work together
towards a binding commitment. After over a decade
of negotiations, we wanted to see momentum in
coming to a decisive commitment on this urgent
issue. Though we were disappointed with the
outcome of COP15, we left feeling more empowered
and hopeful. Indeed, it is with this outlook that we
have embarked on our plans for the future.
Being able to witness the drama of the negotiations
was exciting and eye-opening; seeing the difficulties
of coming to an agreement at an international
level. We saw how complicated it was to formulate
consensus among negotiating parties. Frustrating
as it was as a mere observer, we saw that firmness
alone is not enough. Negotiations call for patience,
understanding, and willingness to compromise
which was sorely lacking during COP15.
One of the important lessons we have learnt,
especially through our experience in the youth
constituency, is that no effort is too small. It is
important to have the courage and conviction to
stand up for your beliefs.
When playing on an international field, it is especially
important to know what we are fighting for.
17
However, knowledge alone does not suffice. We
need to be smarter, wiser, more mature, and
effectively use our skills in persuasion and creativity
in order to be taken seriously. We also saw the
importance of developing relationships. Building
networks with others opened us up to new ideas
and perspectives. Beyond learning, it also increased
support and momentum in furthering the cause.
What was even more inspirational was witnessing
the power of youths during the conference.
We, youths, brought the gravity of the future to
the present. As one unified force, youths from
vulnerable, less-developed states and industrialized
countries called out for strategic efforts to be taken.
Together, we forged a stand that is no longer about
facts and figures, but rather, about how these
numbers and information have an impact on people
around the world.
In essence, our experience at COP 15 has endowed
us with substantive knowledge on the many issues
related to climate change. More importantly, it
has sharpened our sense of perspective on the
conduct of global affairs and developed our ability to
collaborate effectively with individuals with diverse
viewpoints from all walks of life.
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ECO’s PERSPECTIVES

Global Negotiations on Emissions Reductions

In line with well-substantiated climate science, ECO

is a proponent of deep emissions cuts to reach the
aim of stabilizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
below 450 parts per million (ppm) and stabilizing the
increase of global temperature rises at less than 2
degrees Celsius.

ECO believes in the principle of “common but

differentiated responsibilities” wherein the developed
and developing world should be bound to differing
emissions reductions targets based on factors
such as their past emissions rate and their financial
capacity to adapt. In relation to this, we recognize
that agreement on emissions targets could not be
reached without the cooperation of the developing
world and the financial assistance rendered by the
developed world.

We hold the opinion that the developed world can

and should accept the target of reducing GHG
emissions by 80% by 2050 and believe that it is
absolutely essential for the developing world to
be party to emissions reductions targets through
a phased approach. We advocate innovative
solutions through joint ventures such as the Carbon
Development Mechanism, technology transfer,
capacity building, while recognizing the importance
of maintaining a level of autonomy for countries
to decide on the best utilization of carbon pricing
systems.

To achieve these ends, ECO intends to galvanise

the support of government leaders from both
the developed and developing world to reach a
consensus through our collaborations with the
global youth, promote CDM and technology transfer
amongst the business community, and issue a
draft statement endorsed by all youth on the youth
perspective on climate change.

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ECO’s PERSPECTIVES

Singapore and Climate Change

Despite being a small nation, Singapore is globally recognized as being one of the highest per-capita
emitters of greenhouse gases in the world owing to our high-consumer lifestyles. Singapore is also
ranked around 50th in the world in terms of absolute emissions.

Negative Repercussions Singapore’s Potential

More crucially, Singapore will bear the brunt of
the negative consequences of climate change.
Climate change will have an impact not only
on our environment and ecosystem, but on
our livelihood and cost of living. Examples of
these impacts include threats to biodiversity,
a reduction in the availability of livable land,
sea-level increases, heightened incidences of
weather effects such as heat waves, scarcity of
food imports due to decreased crop yields as
well as numerous repercussions on the health of
our population.
We believe in Singapore’s immense potential
to be a leader in efforts to curb climate change.
With our robust capabilities in Research &
Development and innovation as well as our
position as a leading trade and financial
hub, Singapore has the potential to spur the
development of new technologies and financial
tools to help us, the region and the world at large
to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Private-Public Partnerships

This could vary from championing the development of solar energy catered to tropical climates,
energy efficiency and alternative energy test-bedding and the development of a regional/global
emissions trading market. By promulgating policies that assist companies to develop their
capabilities in these sectors, Singapore will be able to profile itself as an example of low-carbon
growth while allowing Singapore companies and MNCs based in Singapore to gain significant
first-mover advantage in the nascent Environmental Goods and Services (EGS) industry estimated
by the World Bank to be worth US $650 billion. Through its active participation in regional and
international platforms such as ASEAN, APEC, WTO, UN General Assembly, Singapore can play
a lead role in galvanizing support for the development of these clean technologies and innovative
financial solutions.

In this respect and contrary to popular opinion, ECO believes that economic growth and profit-
making is not mutually exclusive from the need to protect the environment. There are tremendous
economic opportunities in addressing climate change. By aligning private sector aims for profits
and market expansion with low-carbon development, sustainable resource management and
emissions trading, corporations play a key role in shaping and supporting government efforts.
Apart from government and private sector efforts, the public’s mindset has to be sensitized to the
urgent problem of climate change in order for Singaporeans to successfully transition to sustainable
lifestyles. ECO sees its role as a facilitator of change and aims to heighten public consciousness
towards the urgency of climate change and the role an individual can play.

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ECO’s PERSPECTIVES

In brief, we belief that greater government efforts can b e focused on the following areas:

1. Further reduction of carbon emission growth beyond the 16% level the Government has
proposed and to peak our carbon emissions before 2020

2. To act on the above without reliance on a legally binding global deal if an agreement is not
reached at the end of COP15

3. Introducing a regulatory framework and checks promoting minimum standards in reducing

emissions and increasing efficiency especially in key industrial sectors

4. Assistance towards funding for green technology adaptation for all key sectors of the
economy

5. Regional support especially for less developed nation in the form of technology transfer and
assistance

6. Taking the lead to ensure that the needs of small island states are not overlooked by major
players such as China, India and the US

7. To promote the creation of a common voice among South East Asian states so as to
strengthen focus on our interests as a region during negotiations

8. Greater focus on technology research in the area of environment sustainability to better

adapt Singapore against climate change

9. Raising awareness among the people, private and public sectors on the impacts and
opportunities arising from climate change

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BEYOND COP15

Our role in the youth climate movement does not end after the conference. Enriched with the experience
gained at COP15, we aim to establish a Singapore Youth Climate Movement to further grassroots
environmental movements and climate change awareness. Forging close ties with the government,
companies and community organizations, we hope to ultimately establish the youth constituency as a
pivotal, credible and indispensable stakeholder in public and private sector decisions concerning climate
change. We seek to enhance the imprint of youth perspectives on climate change through harnessing the
energy of Singapore youth all over the globe.

Upcoming Initiatives

Education tool kit:

This kit aims to inspire youths to take
actions to reduce their carbon footprint
and empower them to take lead in
encouraging their peers to join the
cause. Targeting pre-tertiary and tertiary
students, we hope to encourage active
participation in the green movement when
students are introduced to the concept of
organizing and leading programs as part
of their co-curricular activities.

Asian Youth Network:

Through the friendships forged with
members from other parts of Asia, ECO
Singapore is working on harnessing a
stronger regional network. Having seen
that the voices of smaller Asian nations
were usually weak during COP-15, we
aim to create more solidarity within this
network so as to strongly articulate the
Asian youth perspective. We also hope to
assist and learn from one another in local
programs devoted towards promoting a
more sustainable lifestyle.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
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Charity Reg. No: 1739
 22

BEYOND COP15

Seminars and workshops:

There is a need to increase engagement of Singaporeans in the climate change issue and awareness
of dedicated conferences. There is a dire lack of awareness on Singapore’s role and position at such
conferences which we hope to reduce as decisions made at an international level will have impact on us.
As such, workshops and seminars have been planned out through the year. Over the coming months, we
have planned sharing sessions with NTUC, local tertiary institutions and corporations such as Banyan
Tree. Most of the workshops planned will be announced on our official blog and ECO website to increase
attendance among the general public.

An Oxford Climate Forum is also being organized by one of our team members, Hu Ching, a Singaporean
currently pursuing his undergraduate studies at Oxford. With 80 student leaders selected to attend the
forum, it aims to build a vibrant student leadership among those who are equipped to drive the UK to a
sustainable future.

Policy development:
To increase identification with environmental issues within the Singapore context, we aim to increase
awareness among Singaporeans on policies and activities the government has been implementing in
tackling the issue of climate change. We look forward to engage the government in this and work with
them to create stronger grassroots awareness. Along with working with scientific organizations, we hope to
consult on further commitments the governments and corporations can undertake.

Publicity and Outreach:

Our official delegation blog saw an increase in readership during COP15 which continued even after its
conclusion. We therefore see potential in using this tool to further spread the awareness of climate change
and engage citizens beyond the context of the conference. Over the coming months, we aim to further
improve the layout of our blog and increase connections with other online sites to increase traffic. We
also seek to harness the connections build during the conferences and motivate our guest bloggers from
delegations within Asia to contribute more to the site. Further to this, we are working on our next issue of
ECO Express, a newsletter devoted to environmental issues, and working on collaborations with other local
magazines and media.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 23

APPENDIX A: ECO (SINGAPORE)

Background on Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore)

Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore), or ECO Singapore, is the leading non-governmental
youth environmental social enterprise in Singapore promoting sustainable lifestyle.

ECO Singapore has established an active environmentally-oriented voluntary youth foundation, creating
leadership opportunities for Singaporean youths, and instilling a sense of commitment and ownership in
local and global environmental issues and solutions.

By providing youths a holistic approach towards environmental issues, ECO Singapore’s mission is to
encourage youths to make environmentally-sustainable lifestyle choices.

Operational since the end 2005, ECO Singapore aims to challenge youth of age 17-35 to adopt a
sustainable lifestyle and embrace environmental issues holistically. ECO Singapore actively drives and
supports local and global environmental initiatives involving other environmental stakeholders. Besides
receiving support for our activities and programmes from the National Youth Council, we also work closely
with the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, National Environment Agency, Public Utilities
Board, local environmental groups and international environmental groups.

Our Vision
To be the leading environmental body advocating sustainable lifestyle for youth

Our Mission
1. To challenge youth of age 17-35 to adopt a sustainable lifestyle and embrace environmental issues
holistically*.
2. To drive local and global environmental initiatives.
3. To support environmental activities/initiatives as a resource platform involving other environmental
stakeholders.
*Holistic – In ECO Singapore, we categories human consumption issues into six areas. They are Food,
Energy, Water, Shelter, Waste and Biodiversity.

The organisation is mainly run and managed by volunteers. The volunteer pool stands at 120 and growing.
The organisation does its empowering and engaging outreach through its 5 departments. Each department
consists of five to six core committed volunteers that steers their respective departmental projects/
initiatives.

Departments:
Publication & Research;
Policy Department;
Marketing & Communications;
International Affairs; and
Volunteers Management & Development

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 24

APPENDIX A: ECO (SINGAPORE)

Apart from relying on the kind donations and sponsorships from the public and corporate, the organisation
offers a range of services through its service/enterprise arm to generate income to support its current
overheads.

Services/Enterprises:
ECO Training
Provides customized environmental training programmes.

ECO Travel
Provides customized eco-cultural and interactive experience in Asia region.

ECO Publications
Publishes “ECO-Express”, a magazine written by youth for youth. These are available both in PDF and
physical hardcopy

ECO RE:Store
Selling reusable, recycled and eco-friendly products that supports fair trade and cottage industry in the
region.

ECO Consultancy
Provides technical consultation on how to improve an organization’s environmental practices

ECO Agriculture
Working with developing countries to do organic plantation as job creating to help elevate poverty.

For more information, please visit www.eco-singapore.org

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 25

APPENDIX B: DELEGATION PROFILE

Photo Profile
Wilson Ang (Team Leader)

Having seen the state of the environment in many developed and

developing nations after the World Summit in 2002, Wilson believes
that the only way to create a better planet for human survivability is
for every individual to take responsibility of their own action by being
more conscious about their daily choices in consumption habits as
global citizens. He left his job as an Officer in the Air Force to start ECO
Singapore in 2006 and since reached out to over 2,000 youth leaders
and 310,000 members of the public both in Singapore and the region.
More recently, an office in Indonesia was being setup to further the
cause in the region.

He strongly believes that environment plays a very vital role in society

that his life mission can simply be phrased into one sentence, “To
create and maintain a sustainable lifestyle and culture”. At current,
apart from bringing ECO international, he is also building several small
green businesses to be able to create green jobs with the goal of
creating 10,000 green jobs by the age of 35. He is also the UNFCCC
Youth Constituency (YOUNGO) Primary Focal Point.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 26

APPENDIX B: DELEGATION PROFILE

Photo Profile

Agathe Cavicchioli

Agathe is a French student in Politics and International Relations.

She has been concerned with the state of our Mother Earth from a
tender age and is striving to lead a meaningful existence dedicated to
the preservation of our environment. Small contributions make great
changes thus one should always ponder between what is easy and
what is right…

Amira Karim

Amira is a rainforest enthusiast and foreign policy geek. She has

always been a keen advocate of the UNFCCC’s philosophy of
“common but differentiated responsibilities.” She believes in seeking
sensible solutions to climate change through creating common ground
with the private sector, governments, youth and communities. Her aim
for attending the COP 15 conference is to garner deeper insights on the
UNFCCC negotiation process, to foster meaningful dialogue between
youth and other stakeholders and to expand her knowledge in climate
change issues.

Her dream is to carve out a career in the area of sustainable

development. In her free time, Amira enjoys sailing, salsa dancing,
shoestring travel and working on international development issues as a
World Bank Youth Fellow.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 27

APPENDIX B: DELEGATION PROFILE

Photo Profile

Eleina Ailmchandani

An undergraduate student, Eleina has interest in intercultural

communications, social movements and rural development. An active
volunteer, she has been involved in reconstructing tsunami affected
areas in Aceh and has taken active part in several overseas projects
dealing with education and development.

Pumped up with the prospect of working with other youths at the

Copenhagen Conference this year, she hopes to push for stronger
legislation that will curb greenhouse gas emissions by bringing to the
forefront the future of island nations and developing nations which will
suffer the most with climate change.

Hu Ching

As a secondary school student, Hu Ching’s first introduction to climate

change came from the movie – ‘An Inconvenient Truth’.

Ever since, he has grown an avid interest in global environmental

issues, and was chairman of his Junior College’s Earth Club, rallying
friends and schoolmates together for his green crusade.

His main interest lies in understanding and overcoming the economic

and social inequalities that contribute to, and result from environmental
change. Having attended regional conferences, Hu Ching believes that
this delegation can be a model of leadership to the other Asian nations,
bridge the gap between participatory nations of varying wealth, as well
as relay key environmental messages back to fellow Singaporeans.

Hu Ching is currently reading Geography at the University of Oxford,

and is organizing the inaugural Oxford Climate Forum 2010.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 28

APPENDIX B: DELEGATION PROFILE

Photo Profile

Leong Chia Jang (LJ)

Born in Europe, raised in Singapore, educated in Australia & USA,

worked in Asia and the Middle East; Leong Chia Jang a.k.a. LJ is a
Water treatment engineer who is interested in investigating global
“green technologies” that improve the quality of life without adverse
impact on the environment.

Eileen Lee

A love for backpacking in Southeast Asia, coupled with a keen interest

in the feminization of poverty and food security, has led Eileen to realise
how vulnerable the poor are to the effects of climate change. This has
spurred the acquirement of relevant knowledge, resulting in much
enthusiasm on the language and psychology of climate change. Being
actively involved in volunteerism, Eileen wishes to spread the climate
change message through grassroots activities.
As a Political Science and Corporate Communications major, she will
be putting her knowledge to use as a writer with the COP15 youth
media team, G-1 Billion, and will be providing non-negotiations content
to international media.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 29

APPENDIX B: DELEGATION PROFILE

Photo Profile

Lee Zhe Yu

Zhe Yu has been a passionate greenie (and humanitarian) since young.

Concerned with the current ills of global (economic) development
especially with regards to the massive inequity that exists in the world.
Realizes that climate change is the most severe global issue affecting
mankind and yearns to find solutions that will promote true sustainable
development for all. Desires for a new age of multilateralism,
internationalism and global citizenship to solve the many interrelated
global problems ranging from biodiversity conservation to chronic
poverty, overfishing, deforestation, hunger and fair trade.

Loo Yong Ping

Yong Ping’s creative journey started with the doodling in his school
books, and continued throughout Mass Communication studies at
Ngee Polytechnic, and extended to the running of a Campus Television
Station, to the creation of his own T-shirt company, then onto becoming
an Officer in the Army, to running the Nationa l Day Parade website and
he is now pursuing a BA (Hons) in Graphic Media Design at the London
College of Communication.

Yong Ping staunchly believes that a designer’s job is not just about
making things look good, but to be the creative mind in the market
place. Amongst his freelance work, personal projects and internships,
he has strong beliefs in using his creative skills and knowledge to help
the under represented and less fortunate.

As an Asian Team Leader for Project Survival Media, Yong Ping

coordinates media teams in China, the Fiji Islands, Vietnam, Indonesia
and Singapore in reporting from the front lines of the climate crisis. In
his second year as an International Youth Delegate for the UNFCCC,
Yong Ping hopes to use his creative abilities for the greater good. More
about Yong Ping and his work can be found @ www.iampingpong.com

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 30

APPENDIX B: DELEGATION PROFILE

Photo Profile

Melissa Low Yu Xing

Melissa majors in Geography and has a keen interest urban civility

and sustainability. She took part in this year’s Universitas 21 Climate
Change Adaptation Summer School Program held at the University of
Queensland, Brisbane which involved youths from around the world
engaging in climate change debate. She hopes to again work with
passionate youths in Copenhagen and to achieve greater heights
in climate awareness. Melissa hopes to make a difference with the
support of fellow youths to push for climate action TODAY.

Ng Zhi Kai

Zhi Kai is an adventurer who challenges his limits whenever possible.

Starting at the young age of 15, he has been actively involved in
volunteering for the environment in and outside of school. He firmly
believes that youths can be a catalyst in pushing for changes,
especially in the field of environment. He hopes to use his passion
and dedication to inspire more youths to step up and lead their fellow
peers in environment efforts, and hence creating a more environment
conscious Singapore.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 31

APPENDIX B: DELEGATION PROFILE

Photo Profile

Gabriel Teo

Many 18 year olds have strong aspirations and interests in a diversified

range of fields. So does Gabriel. His interest revolves around reshaping
his fellow friends and peers into developing an interest and personal
conviction in the aspect of climate change. Through this conference,
Gabriel endeavors to develop a deeper insight into the climate change
policies and impact a change on governmental determination. He
hopes to bring back these experiences from Copenhagen and share it
amongst his friends, to enthuse them on this green movement.

Zhang Yi Tao

Yi Tao has been involved in the environment scene since he was

14. He began with just encouraging those around him to recycle and
do their part for the Earth. As he grew up, his passion pushed him
to aspire higher and take his dedication for the environmental cause
to a deeper level. Now, at the age of 18, Yi Tao has organized a
series of nationwide events to spread the environmental cause to the
general public. He has also initiated and chaired the inaugural World
Leadership Conference on Environment and Economics in Singapore,
which drew over 150 international and 70 local participants. Yi Tao
hopes to bring the dreams and aspirations expressed by the youths
who took part in the conference to Copenhagen, and ensure the youth
voice is heard as governments around the world decide the fate of our
future environment.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 32

APPENDIX B: DELEGATION PROFILE

Photo Profile

Loy Syeyuet

Sye Yuet loves to sip on a cuppacino, tasting the bitter-sweet aftertaste

of it and fingering the edges of her holiday read while lounging in a little
cafe. She has traded her holiday read for environmental textbooks,
because she knows that she has to learn about change to create it.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 33

APPENDIX C: INTERVENTIONS

Amira Karim’s Intervention Transcript

Thank you for the floor, Madam President. I speak on behalf of the youth when I say that we value the
opportunity to address the Conference on this critical day.

We have recently been made aware that some of you present in this room are proposing a fundamental
overhaul of the UN process. You have proposed a new framework that will overturn the balance of
obligations and responsibilities enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

You have erected barriers to exclude your peers from influencing their own futures, and in turn, have
acted contrary to very principles of inclusion and equality that lies at the core of the United Nations. This
imposition without discussion is tantamount to carbon colonialism—a profoundly destructive development
that the youth are compelled to condemn.

Madam President, we call on all parties to respect the UN process and the values which buttress it. We
posit that an agreement that creates divisions erodes the good faith that we need to address the fierce
urgency of addressing climate change.

The youth urge all parties to remain accountable for their historical contributions to this global crisis. We
maintain that all countries should uphold and enhance the Kyoto protocol and deliver on their promises for
an adequate adaptation fund that is democratically-run and accountable to the UN treaty.

Madam President, we face an unprecedented challenge that calls for unity and responsibility. It is not
enough to say “yes we can” but rather “yes we can, yes we must, yes we will.”

Thank you, Madam President.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
 34

APPENDIX C: INTERVENTIONS

AWG-KP Intervention Transcript

Thank you for the floor Mr. President. On behalf of the youth, we appreciate this intervention opportunity
and would first like to applaud the Kyoto Protocol as the beacon of hope for people since its inception in
1997.

The youths call for climate justice on the principle of common but differentiated responsibility and hold
the Annex 1 countries who failed to ratify the protocol and those who failed to meet their modest targets
accountable to their pledges.

Empty words and futile promises will not resolve climate change. Thus, Mr President, youths would like to
strongly urge for a legally binding treaty to hold parties accountable to their pledges. Strong enforcement
mechanisms should be enacted and penalties imposed to further strengthen compliance to the protocol.

The present Flexible Mechanisms are laudable, yet youths would like to request for an increase in
transparency and verifiability in the process to ensure that credits are only awarded where there are actual
reductions in emissions. Youths stress the importance of co-benefits through these schemes and support
the proposition for a discount factor on the carbon credits transfer in the CDM project to slant it in favor of
the developing countries.

Modest numbers are equivalent to inaction, as our survival will inevitably be compromised. Youths would
like to remind world leaders that our survival is non-negotiable, whatever the cost. Youths compel delegates
to allow history to remember Copenhagen as Hopenhagen, where leaders at COP15 sealed the deal that
guaranteed the survival of posterity.

As Edmund Burke famously proclaimed “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good man do
nothing.” May all the good men and women present in COP15 rise to the challenge and allow fairness and
ambition to triumph over the evils of inaction on climate change.

Our Youth. Our Future

Society Reg. No:
ROS326/2002
Charity Reg. No: 1739
http://www.eco-singapore.org