On 29 November 2024, Hong Kong 2050 is Now launched the Key Environmental Education Leaders (KEL) Programme Nature-based Solutions Webinar. The KEL Programme aims to empower educators to nurture the next generation of environmental leaders by offering comprehensive training to principals, teachers, and educators from local schools in Hong Kong. We are honoured to have Ms. Suzanne Cheung from CLP Holdings Limited and Ms. Sheila Wong from The Nature Conservancy as our speakers.
Ms. Suzanne Cheung opened the webinar by introducing the concept of the circular economy, a key principle in waste management. She emphasised that the circular economy is not synonymous with recycling; rather, it encompasses the entire product lifecycle. This includes considering whether a product’s design is recyclable or reusable, as well as its disposal method at the end of its life. Suzanne highlighted that, while renewable energy is growing in popularity, many materials used in renewable energy facilities are not recyclable. She also pointed out that circular economy requirements are now a part of many Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards for large companies in Hong Kong. As demand for green talent continues to rise, enquiring ESG and sustainability skills will be increasingly important and advantageous for both job markets and business needs.
Next, Ms. Sheila Wong presented their project on recycling used oyster shells, showcasing how circular economy practices can also benefit biodiversity in Hong Kong. The Nature Conservancy collects oyster and mussels shells that are disposed from seafood industries and restaurants, and uses them to construct oyster reefs, which act as an ecosystem engineer for oysters and other shellfish to grow on. These oysters and shellfish provide significant environmental benefits, as one Hong Kong oyster can filter up to 30 liters of water per hour, improving water quality andeven stabilising shorelines. The pilot project aims to restore oyster reef near the Three-Runway System and Yung Shu Au in Tolo Harbour, and aims to increase job opportunities, reduce landfill waste, restore lost oyster reefs, promote sustainable development in local communities, and bring ecological and socio-economic benefits to Hong Kong.
During the Q&A session, participants asked insightful questions, such as how schools can implement circular economy practices, how renewable energy materials are currently being disposed of, and where to find guidelines on what can be recycled. One participant also emphasised the importance of hosting workshops in schools to further promote recycling, especially that of electrical appliances. These questions reflect a growing interest in waste management and the role the education sector can play in helping achieve the government’s “Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035”.
We are deeply grateful to our speakers for sharing their expertise and enthusiasm during the webinar, and we look forward to continuing the conversation on waste management in schools and across the education sector.
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