Youth Participation in Climate and Environmental Action
In Malaysia, the YELL initiative is supporting young people to become the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators for the environment
D’Banana Craft, an innovative solution led by young innovators Fahmi, 19, Fauzi, 23, and Fazly, 28, has become a local success story in exploring and experimenting with circular economy solutions in the tropical landscapes of Inanam Laut village, in the Borneo Island of Malaysia.
Supported by Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL), a platform to create opportunities for young people in Malaysia to play an effective role in actions on climate-related and environmental issues, D’Banana Craft is transforming banana plant waste into paper-based, sustainable packaging products.
Around the world, over 100 billion bananas are consumed every year. Producing bananas requires considerable resources, which increases their carbon emissions compared to other fruits. The main factors contributing to these emissions are transportation fuel, pesticides, and plastic waste. In Malaysia, banana waste has been identified as one of the potential sources of renewable energy as bananas are widely planted in the agricultural sector.
Left to right, Fahmi, Fazly and Fauzi. Brothers and co-founders of D’Banana Craft.
Their parents' small business of flavoured banana chips, a local favourite known as Kerepek Pisang, first exposed the three brothers to the banana plantations and wasteful disposal of banana remains, either by burning or releasing them into drains. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fazly’s job in the hospitality sector in Borneo Island was heavily impacted and the he brothers turned their attention to the untapped potential of their banana farms.
“We saw the heaps of banana waste left behind, being disposed of without a second thought. This waste would either find its way into the drains or be burned, which isn't environmentally friendly. We knew there had to be a better way."
Fazly Bin Gordah, 28, Founder of D’Banana Craft
Pooling their resources and diving deep into research, the brothers laid the foundation of what would soon become D' Banana Craft. With the launch of the prototypes, the community’s response was overwhelmingly positive. Previously reliant on expensive imported packaging, local businesses began to show immense support for the brothers' sustainable and more affordable alternative. “Our products not only offered an environmentally friendly option but also helped local businesses in cost-cutting," says Fauzi.
D’Banana Crafts’ packaging prototypes include boxes, paper bags and artistic frames.
"We realized we were onto something when local businesses expressed interest. The initial prototypes we produced were a hit among locals because these businesses were spending a significant amount importing packaging materials.”
Fazly Bin Gordah, 28, Founder of D’Banana Craft
The journey, however, wasn't without challenges. The brothers grappled with product quality issues, increasing costs, and procuring the right equipment.
In 2022, D’Banana Craft featured on the UNICEF-UNDP joint platform YELL, was supported by the UNICEF’s Global Climate Innovation Portfolio and selected as one of the three winners of the Green Shark Challenge, a global competition designed to unleash the creativity and skills of UN staff working with local and young innovators to co-create solutions that respond to global climate challenges. The three brothers gained access to the support they needed for their solution to thrive.
The YELL initiative champions local narratives and context-based climate action among young people in Malaysia. Together with youth, YELL aims to strengthen the ecosystem of young environmental leaders by fostering a deeper understanding of the impacts and consequences of climate change at a local and national level, building young people’s capacity for evidence-based advocacy, and creating work exposure and skill-building opportunities.
“With YELL, we pull together important stakeholders such as the Ministry to further develop a better understanding of how the initiative can also support the government in advancing its work in extending its reach to young people.”
Jasmin Irisha Jim Ilham, Climate and Environment Officer, UNICEF Malaysia
In a meeting with YB Adam Adli, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Malaysia (center) Fazly presents D’Banana Craft products.
With YELL’s support, the innovative solution soon became a more ambitious effort to reimagine the role of banana waste in the Inanam Laut community's economic and environmental landscape.
The brothers envision a world where every part of the banana plant, from its fruits to its leaves, is utilized to its full potential. “Stop Deforestation, Let's Make Our Own Paper” is Fazly’s favourite line for attracting investors' interest.
About UNICEF Climate Innovation Portfolio
The UNICEF Innovation Global Climate Portfolio identifies, validates and scales transformational and frontier innovations that respond to key programmatic challenges that, if solved, will unlock faster progress for a climate-secure and resilient future for children and young people. The initiative Innovation30 – Young Climate Innovators Shaping the Future sources transformational solutions developed by young people under 30 years.
UNICEF is ambitious and intentional about the meaningful engagement of children and young people in innovating and shaping environmental policies in disaster risk preparedness and risk reduction.
The Global Climate Innovation Portfolio aligns with a diverse partner network to champion impactful solutions, especially with and for communities in the over 190 countries where we operate. With a shared purpose, we catalyze increased investments to source, pilot, iterate and scale solutions to help transform communities and build hope in addressing the global climate crisis.
Visit the Youth Environmental Living Labs
Read a Blog about YELL
Learn more about Change for Climate Report
Learn more about Green Shark Challenge
