Last summer, Ariane Desrosiers and Vincent (Wing Shun) Tang, students in Columbia University’s M.P.A. in Environmental Science and Policy Program (MPA-ESP) at the School of International and Public Affairs, made waves by participating in the 2023 Youth Voice Competition for Just Energy Transition. This global event, co-sponsored by the International Society for Energy Transition Studies (ISETS) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), brought together young problem-solvers to devise innovative solutions for climate change.
Competing under the moniker “Team Power Parity Pioneers,” Desrosiers and Tang clinched second place with their proposal and were subsequently invited to present at the 2023 Youth Voice Dialogue in Bangkok, Thailand last October. Below, they share their reflections on this enriching experience and the valuable lessons they brought back.
What prompted you to participate in this competition?
Tang: Ariane and I shared a common philosophy on the significance of energy and equitable transition. During the summer and fall terms, we collaborated in the same workshop focused on House Resolution (H.R.) 891 – the Energy Resilient Communities Act. When a connection posted about the competition on LinkedIn, we felt it dovetailed with our interests and ongoing workshop activities, prompting us to sign up despite our hectic schedules.
Can you tell us about your project?
Desrosiers: Our project centered around proposing climate-resilient energy investment schemes in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We structured our proposal into two components: a written report and a panel presentation for expert feedback. Our policy packages for Southeast Asia aimed to facilitate the transition to renewable energy through innovative solutions.
Our first solution focused on building a distributed energy infrastructure to empower communities through “prosumerism,” where consumers have an active production role.
The second solution involved implementing transnational power grid revenue-sharing to enhance regional equity by prioritizing economically disadvantaged countries.
The third solution proposed restructuring energy subsidies in ASEAN nations using mechanisms like feed-in tariffs to support renewable energy expansion and address disparities in low-income communities.
Lastly, our fourth solution advocated for establishing an ASEAN carbon-pricing scheme to optimize decarbonization strategies via standardized emissions trading.
After submitting our report, we defended our proposal in front of a panel and secured second place, earning us a spot at the Youth Voice Dialogue in Bangkok.
How did you manage your coursework alongside this competition?
Tang: We developed the proposal during the summer months, well ahead of the August deadline, allowing us to prepare adequately for the October conference. To balance our commitments, I coordinated with professors to receive assignments in advance and plan my workload efficiently.
Did you have time to explore Bangkok outside of the event?
Desrosiers: While the event schedule was packed with panels and discussions, we did manage some brief sightseeing and indulged in Thai cuisine and foot massages to unwind. It was a nice balance to our intense engagement at the event.
Were you able to apply the knowledge gained from the competition to your workshop?
Desrosiers: The experience in Bangkok complemented the workshop’s focus on presentation building and validation of our recommendations through engaging discussions. Our interactions with other participants reinforced our confidence in the proposed solutions.
What insights did you take away from this experience?
Tang: Networking in the Asian energy sector proved invaluable, emphasizing the importance of expanding connections and nurturing existing relationships. It was enlightening to meet and engage with professionals like Hongpeng Liu, the director of the energy division at UN ESCAP.
Desrosiers: Learning about the UN’s energy decision-making process and participating in an energy policy simulation at the competition were eye-opening experiences. The opportunity to interact with senior figures like Liu broadened our understanding of global energy challenges and policymaking.
