KUCHING: Sustainability must not be reduced to technology and carbon targets alone, but must also address fairness, equity and empowerment of vulnerable communities.
At the ‘Powering the Future’ session, moderator Nur Khairin Bujang highlighted how global energy debates often overlook the realities of rural and indigenous communities.
“Across the globe, we’ve seen youth emerging as powerful voices for climate and sustainability.
“But when we talk about energy transition, the conversation often overlooks rural and indigenous communities that are still struggling with basic energy access,” she said.
Drawing from her work with rural communities in Sabah, Alice Jipius of Tonibung emphasised that clean energy projects must bring benefits rather than disruption.
“For rural and indigenous people, energy transition means solutions that empower and not displace.
“It should create economic opportunities alongside environmental benefits.
“Too often, decisions are made without meaningful consultation. Communities are rarely included, and that has to change,” she said.
From the Philippines, Jason Occidental, an Assistant Professor at Ateneo de Davao University, shared the challenges of deploying renewable energy in Mindanao.
“It’s not just about whether the technology works, it’s about navigating multiple layers of government, tribal leaders and community stakeholders.
“That’s why we need a pentahelix model; academia, government, the private sector, media and civil society, working together to co-create solutions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Danutcha Catriona Singh, who runs the SOLS Foundation, a humanitarian organisation in Peninsular Malaysia, said the path to inclusion lies in equipping rural and indigenous youth for renewable energy careers.
“We bring them into a workforce development programme so they can actually build careers in renewable energy.
“It’s about reducing barriers of entry; financial, educational and cultural, and showing young people that this is a viable opportunity,” she said.
She cited Laos’ Monsoon Wind Power Project as a model for inclusion, where local communities benefit directly through education, jobs and healthcare.
Youth for Energy Southeast Asia’s Research & Development Director, Dr. Ardhi Arsala Rahmani, argued that digital connectivity has created a generation with shared knowledge and aspirations across borders.
“Just like memes spread across countries, sustainability knowledge does too. We are more similar than ever in what we want for our future.
“In our research, 92 per cent of youth said they are ready to take action, provided they get the support they need,” he said.
He added that youth participation must go beyond tokenism.
“We’re thankful for the invitations to dialogues, but it must go beyond being heard.
“We need to be genuinely listened to, and given a seat at the table,” he stressed.
The session concluded by underscoring three lessons: youth must be recognised as leaders, justice means balancing ambition with lived realities, and inclusion must move from access to empowerment.
“Sustainability is not just about clean energy technologies, but about ensuring fairness and justice so no community, and no generation, is left behind,” Khairin said.
