The Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) programme in Malaysia has been one of the most enduring programs, having been run without fail each year from 2001. Organized annually by UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Education, the TEY programme has created among Malaysian youth awareness of the importance of preserving the environment and cultivating good habits to achieve that goal.
Theme for 2022 This year, it will have the theme of ‘Championing Mobility’ which ties in with Toyota’s ongoing commitment towards paving the way forward as a mobility company that supports the creation of more independent, safe, and eco-friendly mobility solutions.
Shell Malaysia and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Malaysia today hosted a virtual forum in conjunction with the launch of Shell Malaysia’s “The Tree, The Sky, The Sun: A Pathway towards Malaysia’s Carbon Neutral Future”.
The Tree, The Sky, The Sun tells the story of how Malaysia could reach for the sky – becoming carbon-neutral by 2065 – with its unique advantages of tree and sun. Shell’s story illustrates a technically possible yet challenging pathway for this country to meet the goal of the Paris Agreement to keep the rise in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with a stretch goal of 1.5°C.
Developed by Shell in consultation with key local stakeholders, Shell’s pathway forum gathered more than 1,500 participants and stakeholders from the government, private sector, media, academia, non-governmental organisations, and energy consumers. The launch also saw a roundtable discussion by the CEO Action Network, featuring energy leaders and representatives from Shell, The Ministry of Environment and Water, Climate Governance Malaysia, and Boston Consulting Group.
Becoming a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050
“It is exciting to see Malaysia having open and more transparent discussions on the true scale of the climate challenge and the actions needed for achieving carbon-neutrality. By publishing The Tree, The Sky, The Sun, Shell hopes to contribute to the national conversation about Malaysia’s energy transition and to the framing of the nation’s priorities in the run-up to COP26 and beyond. This is in line with the global ambition embodied in Shell’s Powering Progress strategy to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050,” said Ivan Tan, Chairman of Shell Malaysia.
“The Tree, The Sky, The Sun combines policy-making with science-based targets to help us all see the benefits and opportunities of a sustainable future more clearly. The support of everyone – from energy producers to energy consumers – will be critical for achieving the milestones described by Shell’s aspirational pathway. We hope today’s gathering will spur more informed conversations about how we can all contribute towards building a carbon-neutral energy system for Malaysia and the world,” explained Marco Winter, Executive Director of MDBC.
5 significant influences to moderate emissions
The pathway described by The Tree, The Sky, The Sun highlights 5 critical ‘increase levers’ that are likely to have the greatest influence on moderating carbon emissions in Malaysia. These levers are: 1) the increase in forest acreage and density; 2) the introduction and gradual increase in the carbon price; 3) the emphasis on energy efficiency; 4) the greater push for electrification; and 5) a more widespread use of renewables, especially solar energy.
Solar has become the country’s single largest source of energy, as coal has been phased out. Factories like this one in Selangor make substantial use of solar energy which is available in abundance with our tropical sunshine.
Shell’s aspirational pathway reveals that the Malaysian energy system of 2065 will look significantly different from today. The economy-wide transformation required to achieve a carbon-neutral state will be underpinned by carbon pricing, or the external cost of carbon, which is phased in starting from 2026, the commencement year of the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026 – 2030). This drives reallocation of capital and resources toward low-carbon and energy-efficient choices.
Renewable energy sources to dominate by 2065
By 2065, renewable sources of energy will dominate a deeply electrified energy system. Solar has become the country’s single largest source of energy, coal has been phased out, while the remaining natural gas in the energy mix acts primarily as a means of supporting the use of renewable energy sources. Biofuel has displaced oil as the preferred liquid fuel for transportation and is used increasingly to meet the demand of difficult-to-electrify sectors such as aviation and shipping.
Reforestation of Malaysia’s land mass can capture up to 29 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
Gains in energy efficiency lead to a marginal increase in the country’s final energy demand, despite healthy economic growth during this period. Any remaining emissions from the energy system are removed by nature or technology – reforestation of an additional 5.8% of Malaysia’s land mass can capture up to 29 million tonnes of CO2 each year, effectively bringing forward Malaysia’s carbon-neutral date by 15 years to 2065.
Major shift required
Ultimately, the point at which Malaysia achieves carbon-neutrality depends on how aggressively these levers discussed are pursued in steering the economy towards a more sustainable post-pandemic recovery. Other pathways are possible and depend on societal and policy preferences, but a major shift in how society produces and consumes energy is required to limit the rise in global temperature and address the risks of climate change.
Crucially, it will take robust policy frameworks and more open public engagement to create societal support for action and enable the development of lower-carbon solutions and green technologies. Strong collaboration across government, business, and society will be crucial to make progress at the pace required for Malaysia’s energy system to be carbon-neutral by 2065.
One of the longest running environmental program for Malaysian youth has reached its 20th edition this year. It’s the Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) program organised by UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The 20th edition recently came to a satisfying and exciting conclusion with the announcement of the Top 5 winning teams from secondary schools around Malaysia. A total of 16 teams participated in the program which had a revised format and presentation due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To overcome the new challenges and limitations brought on by the Movement Control Order (MCO), the activities were moved online with interactive e-learning lessons and workshops. In all previous years, TEY activities involved face-to-face interactions but the need for social distancing and to protect each other meant that this approach could no longer be used.
During the online sessions, the participants were trained on project management skills that incorporate Toyota’s Problem-Solving Methodology. This new e-learning approach, conceived within a few months, proved so successful that it will be adopted for future programs.
This year’s program had the theme of ‘Reimagining Mobility’, with the spirit of inclusivity and freedom of ideas as the foundation to this theme which depicts the creation of safe and eco-friendly mobility.
The winning teams
Following the final judging phase after each of the 10 finalists made their respective ‘pitches’ with live presentations on May 29, 2021, the winning teams were chosen. They are, in first place, Maktab Tentera Diraja, Kuala Lumpur (We-Sea-It Smart Tool); second place, SMAP Labu, Negeri Sembilan (UCOnverter Smart Tool); third place, SMK Kubang Kerian, Kelantan (Recybin App); fourth place, SMK Chung Hua, Sarawak (Recyclo Smart Tools), and in fifth place, SMJK Katholik, Selangor (MOSS AFV Smart Tools).
The winning team from Maktab Tentera Diraja with their project that developed the ‘We-Sea-It Smart Tool’ that can help to address microplastics pollution in water sources.
SMK Saujana Utama, Selangor won recognition for the ‘Best Community Engagement’, with Noor Liyana Shamsudin from Maktab Tentera Diraja nominated as the ‘Most Supportive Teacher’. Three students were selected as the Top ‘Agent M’ – Hani Nabila from SMAP Labu, Negeri Sembilan; Lim Bo Jing from SMJK Katholik, Selangor and Muhammad Uwais Darwis from SMK Majakir, Sabah.
Increased prize money
For 2021, the total prize money has been doubled to RM64,000 to further reward ingenuity amongst the youth. This year, the winning team received RM20,000 in cash, followed by RM15,000 for second place; RM 10,000 for third place; RM7,000 for fourth place and RM5,000 for fifth place. The Most Supportive Teacher was rewarded with RM3,000 and RM1,000 each was offered for Best Community Engagement and Top Agent M.
The Closing Ceremony was conducted live via a virtual platform with Dato’ Haji Adzman bin Talib, Deputy Director-General of Education Malaysia (School Operational Sector), Ministry of Education, as the Guest of Honour. Also present for the virtual gathering was Mohd. Shamsor Mohd. Zain, Director of Marketing, UMW Toyota Motor, as well as other senior representatives from the Ministry of Education and UMWT.
Holistic learning experience
“This year’s Toyota Eco Youth program reflected the adaptability of the new generation to embrace technological advancements and take on an innovative approach in solving the environmental problems. The fundamental training which is the Toyota Problem-Solving methodology was done virtually and I’m proud to say that all students were extremely receptive towards it,” said Encik Mohd Shamsor.
“Throughout the program, with the guidance of teachers and mentors, the participants would have learnt team spirit, confidence, communication, presentation skills, all of which encompass a more holistic learning experience,” he added.
The well-thought proposals of the 16 teams were posted on social media channels for the public to view. Additionally, each team developed a podcast episode presented on the TEY Channel in two platforms – Agency on Leaderonomics FM and On TEY Channel.
Winners continue involvement
For the winners, the program does not end, as it did in previous years. The duration of the program will now be for 3 years and the winners from the 2020/2021 edition will continue as facilitators for the following year’s batch. They will thus be able to contribute their experience to the next batch. At the same time, digitalization of TEY is taken up a notch by setting up a TEY Apprentice online club.
About the Toyota Eco Youth program
Over the course of two decades, participants in the TEY have included 258 schools, 1,910 secondary school students and 762 teachers. Each year, challenging and interesting themes have been provided, and participants have come up with interesting, innovative solutions and proposals applicable to their school or community. Over RM7 million has been spent by UMWT to run the program annually.
“Toyota Eco Youth is a unique event in the Toyota world. Toyota Motor Corporation and UMW Toyota Motor are proud to be playing a part in cultivating environmental consciousness and innovative thinking for the young generation. It is assuring to know that the next generation will be ready to face new challenges that arise as we all strive to make our planet a better place for everyone,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.
The BMW Group has sustainability goals to reduce carbon emissions globally and affiliates throughout the world work in their own ways to support those goals. In Malaysia, BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia has announced a commitment to reforestation efforts in Borneo. These efforts are with a local social enterprise, Animal Projects and Environmental Education (APE Malaysia).
A logging area that will be reforested.
Helping mitigate climate change
Commenting on the commitment, Tobias Eismann, MD of BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, said: “We recognise that climate protection is a shared responsibility. By playing our part in supporting planned reforestation efforts in the country, we look forward to helping mitigate climate change.”
He said BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia will be directly contributing to APE Malaysia’s Restore Our Amazing Rainforest (ROAR) programme which aims to create and reconnect important forest corridors that have been degraded by deforestation. “As a company, we are focusing more and more into tangible initiatives to support sustainability, beginning internally with our own initiatives to go digital in efforts to reduce paper consumption,” he added.
Contributions from financing contracts
The initiative will see contributions of RM100, made on behalf of BMW and MINI customers, for every funded contract (for financing purchases) of the following models – the BMW 330e M Sport, BMW 530e M Sport, BMW 740Le xDrive, BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport, as well as the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4. All funded contracts from May 1 to July 31, 2021 for the models mentioned are eligible for this initiative.
Every RM100 will contribute to 5 new trees planted at the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Customers whose contracts contributed to the initiative will receive a photo, as well as an e-certificate with the GPS coordinates of their trees from APE Malaysia. The ROAR programme also serves to restore habitat for endangered animals which includes the orangutan and Borneo Pygmy Elephant, as well as to counteract carbon footprint.
Earlier this year, BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia also successfully raised over RM20,500 via BMW Engage for the upcoming phase of the BMW Safety 360° subsidy programme. The third phase of this programme will see over 300 more child carseat subsidies made available for parents in the local B40 community. The subsidy programme has delivered over 500 child carseats since its inception in late 2019.
UMW Toyota Motor’s Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) program has now been on for two decades, during which time the importance of preserving the environment has been nurtured among Malaysian youth. It has also empowered the youth with Toyota’s own problem-solving skills and knowledge.
For the 20th edition of TEY, the Ministry of Education once again joins forces with UMW Toyota Motor to run state and national level competitions. It is the leading program cultivating environment consciousness and innovation amongst the youth of the nation, with Leaderonomics Community as the working partner for this year’s initiative.
Over the course of the last 20 years, TEY has introduced various themes with one common goal: molding an environmental conscious society of the future. A total of 258 schools, 1,910 secondary school students and 762 teachers have successfully benefited from the program and invigorated environmental initiatives in their school compound or district.
Additionally, the program gives them a platform to lobby their ideas with stakeholders that involves local authorities, community and even media.
Reimagining Mobility
The theme for the 20th edition is ‘Reimagining Mobility’, which depicts the creation of safe and eco-friendly mobility solutions for the nation. The spirit of inclusivity and freedom of ideas are the foundation to this year’s theme.
“Toyota Eco Youth has been leading the way in Malaysia for 20 years and this year promises even more innovation and advancement under the theme of ‘Reimagining Mobility’,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor. “The young people of this country are the seeds of its future and TEY aids in growing their creativity and bring their innovations to fruition. We see this program as a tool to assemble the brightest minds of our nation to propagate a greener future for all of us”.
3-year program, instead of one year
The program is open to secondary school students aged 13 – 16 years old and there is unlimited school participation. However, unlike previous years which have been completed within a year, the concept for this year’s TEY program is will run for 3 years.
The 2020 edition of TEY will also see the class of 2020/2021 having the privilege to return as facilitators for the following year’s batch. The digitalization angle of TEY is taken up a notch by setting up a TEY Apprentice online club.
The top 16 teams for Year 2020/2021 TEY members will be equipped and trained with project management skills that incorporate Toyota’s Problem Solving Methodology. With the knowledge harnessed, the top 16 TEY competitors will build a prototype solution based on their local community. This dual-pronged approach that has been curated for TEY ensures that they are both theoretically and practically comprehensive.
Students can register now via www.toyota.com.my/toyotaecoyouth, or with their respective schools. The format of this program will be fully online which includes the interactive e-learning lessons and workshops. The final judging phase enables students to showcase their progress through social media and livestream channels.
RM64,000 prize pool
This year’s prizes are also doubled to further reward ingenuity amongst the youth and winning teams will stand a chance to win cash prizes from a RM64,000 prize pool.
“The pandemic has not deterred us from our steadfast commitment to empower the youth of our nation through the Toyota Eco Youth program. With every problem comes an opportunity and this pandemic has enabled us to circumnavigate these obstacles to digitalize the program mechanics to be online,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “This move is in line with our progressive approach that enables TEY to continuously develop the youth despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.”
Since its inception, UMW Toyota Motor has invested more than RM7 million on the program. It hopes that students benefiting from this program can become ambassadors in the future to advocate environmental sustainability and overcome mobility limitations.
