Youth Statement on Long Island

On 20th December 2023, 35 Youths convened for a Youth-Led Long Island Conversation, co-organised by The Inter-University Environmental Coalition, Singapore Youth for Climate Action, Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, and LepakInSG. We discussed the collective desire for effective, just and equitable climate adaptation, environmental protection,good international relations, and ocean-based climate action in Singapore, taking into account the urgent long-term need to address sea-level rise, safeguard coastal regions against flooding, and protect biodiversity in Singapore. Finally, we appreciate the Urban Redevelopment Agency for welcoming public feedback and future consultations on the conceptual plans for Long Island and strengthening public participation in the process.

Youths for Singapore’s Marine Biodiversity

We acknowledged and expressed deep concern about the impacts of Long Island on the devastation of existing biodiverse ecosystems including but not limited to: turtle nesting sites along the beach, coral ecosystems, seagrass ecosystems, bird breeding sites,¹ and potential downstream ripple effects of land reclamation such as siltation of regional ecosystems, with more immediate repercussions anticipated for our southern islands, and changes in regional hydrology. However, we also acknowledge that Long Island may create more habitats for coastal and marine biodiversity in the long run if designed with the intention for nature to return (i.e., incorporating features that enhance the ecological functions of artificial structures).

We urge all involved with Long Island to be science-based, proactive, and transparent in the following actions:

1. comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) on the East Coast and the surrounding areas which will be affected by Long Island,
2. assessing the cumulative impacts of the various reclamation projects and developments on regional hydrology and biodiversity (eg. Reclamations at Tekong, Tuas, Greater Southern Waterfront, Changi Bay, Water Reclamation Plant at Changi, Southern Islands fish farms, coastal tourism and recreational activities etc.),
3. mitigation of impacts on southern islands, in particular Sisters’ Islands Marine Park to enable effective future seeding of biodiversity on Long Island,
4. prioritisation of mitigating measures according to the Mitigation Hierarchy2to reduce ecosystem impacts,
5. effective monitoring, auditing, and reporting of environmental impacts during and after the development of Long Island and implementation of mitigating measures,
6. swift contingency control plans in the Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan Monitoring Plan (EMMP) to any deviations from the expected environmental impacts from the development of Long Island,
7. and with effective communication of the aforementioned actions, in a manner that is accessible to all members of the general public i.e. infographics, social media campaigns, posters.

We would like to see substantial budget allocation to test-bed and implement ecosystem creation measures in the coastal and fresh-water environments on Long Island, and sufficient long-term budget to conduct ecosystem monitoring and reporting to track progress. This should aim for a net gain of biodiversity by creating opportunities for the emergence of new biodiversity and expanding habitat spaces. We hope for the development and implementation of a rigorous Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that concerns the conservation and recovery of biodiversity.

We would like to advocate for coexistence between humans and wildlife through innovative land-use planning. Multi-functional spaces should be planned in a collaborative and transparent manner which supports opportunities for human-wildlife coexistence, and create accessible nature areas to educate the public in nature-oriented programs and living classrooms.

Youths for Stronger Civil Engagements

As youths, we would like to see robust, regular and timely stakeholder engagement including diverse subject-matter experts within civil society and nature groups such as experts on local biodiversity (Sea turtles, seagrass, coral fishes, intertidal zones), citizen scientists, as well as park users, impacted small businesses (including bicycle shop owners and hawkers at East Coast Park), and other relevant stakeholders. This would include:

1. alignment of stakeholder expectations on their interests and compromises for Long Island outcomes,
2. reporting on the development of Long Island to stakeholders, highlighting critical areas for discussion, and consulting on actionable steps,
3. sharing best practices from existing local (and international) land reclamation projects and nature-based solutions,
4. updating of outcomes of ongoing environmental impact assessments,

These engagement meetings should be regular and timely throughout the project timeline, and should start at the onset of the project (i.e., pre-EIA).

Youths for Protection of Regional Ecosystem Resilience from Sand Mining

We call for companies and authorities involved in the development of Long Island to be transparent about Singapore’s national sand import policies; especially where the sand is sourced from, the impacts of the sand extraction on surrounding human communities and ecosystem. We also recommend the relevant authorities (e.g.MND/MTI) to supervise supply chains and enforce regulations that prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated sand mining. Additionally, we would like to see strong sustainability and social impact reporting from the

Singapore-based companies that trade sand, including details on mitigation measures to minimise harmful impacts under the principle of No Net Harm. International or multilateral soft-law instruments can provide useful guides, including the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

We strongly urge all decision-makers involved with Long Island to explore alternatives that require less or no sand reclamation, and technologies such as NEWSand and other less extractive materials for the creation of Long Island.

We want to see Singapore play an active role in empowering communities that are affected by sand mining through a community-driven approach i.e. engaging impacted communities before, during and after the project to mitigate negative livelihood impacts, adapt to environmental changes and ensure that they are fairly compensated for all losses that cannot be mitigated.

We would also like to see the encouragement of public awareness and understanding of the impacts of extracting natural resources like sand. This includes educating the Singapore public on sand mining and its socio-environmental implications, increasing regional capacity building and knowledge sharing of regulations and enforcement of proper sand mining regulations, working together with local, regional and international NGOs that can provide independent oversight and data assessment of sand mining activities, enabling easier access to effective remedies in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on the Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and empowering importing and exporting communities to whistleblow through legal and non-legal recourse.

Drafted by the Organising Committee from the Youth-Led ‘Long-Island’ Conversation, with the inputs from, and on behalf of Youth Participants, agreed on 29th December 2023.

Organising Committee

	The Inter-University Environmental Coalition seeks to strengthen ties between environmental groups and bridge engagement between youth environmental groups, corporates and government. It is constituted of University Student Groups (both formal and informal) that are engaged in environmental, sustainable, climate-related issues.
	LepakInSG is an informal environmental group – with the keyword being informal! We run an online calendar of environmental events, while working towards a world where Singapore does its fair share to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, where Singapore limits consumption of resources to what the Earth can regenerate in a year, and where Singapore reduces biodiversity loss to as low as reasonably practical.
	The Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity (SYVB) is the Singapore chapter of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), which represents youths at the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The team aims to provide opportunities for youths, and empower them to take on issues relating to biodiversity policy.
	We are Singapore Youth for Climate Action (SYCA), and our mission is to meaningfully engage young people in environment-related volunteerism. We serve youths in Singapore (15 to 35 years old).

Other Resources

1. Community Reading Guide
2. URA’s Long Island Feedback and Engagement Form