YEA 4th Edition, Day 4: Sustainability Learning at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

On 1 August 2025, the Young Environment Ambassador (YEA) programme took our students to The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) for a full day of immersive learning about sustainability. We extend our sincere thanks to Professor Arthur Lau, Program Co-Director of EVMT, Division of Environment and Sustainability at HKUST, for leading this engaging training session.

The day began in the classroom, where Professor Arthur Lau warmly welcomed students by inviting them to share their most memorable experiences from previous days of the YEA programme. About one-third of the students highlighted the field visit to Redress as their favourite, followed by trips to Beetales and Vessel Repair, reflecting their enthusiasm for hands-on learning.

Following this, Professor Arthur Lau introduced the ‘Framework for Sustainability’, and divided students into small groups to explore the life cycle of a cotton T-shirt. Building on their earlier visit to Redress, the workshop helped deepen their understanding of fast fashion’s environmental impact. They looked at how a T-shirt is made — from raw materials and energy use to waste and pollution — offering a full picture of its journey from production to disposal. Professor Lau also highlighted the importance of systematic thinking when tackling complex environmental issues. To illustrate this, he shared an image of several blind people each touching different parts of an elephant and guessing what they were holding — a vivid reminder that we must look beyond isolated details and strive to see the bigger picture.

In the afternoon, The Sustainability/Net-Zero Office team guided students on a campus tour highlighting ongoing sustainability initiatives. Students learned about campaigns such as the HKUST beach clean-up near the university, organic farm management, and a community garden maintained by staff and students alike.

A special stop was made at the Butterfly Garden, where students observed various species of butterflies, trees, and plants. The garden serves as a living classroom to promote biodiversity awareness. Students were also encouraged to use technology to upload butterfly photos and learn about species identification, blending nature with digital engagement.

Returning to the classroom, students participated in another workshop where they presented their proposed graphs illustrating operational principles of the circular economy. Beyond clean energy transitions, some interesting ideas emerged — such as sharing washing machines within communities to reduce consumption and using natural sunlight and wind to dry clothes instead of dryers. Professor Arthur Lau praised the students’ creativity and expressed eagerness to see their future contributions to sustainability.

Before concluding, Professor Arthur Lau reminded everyone that customers ultimately shape market demand, underscoring the power of consumer choices in driving environmental progress.

We at Civic Exchange thank Professor Arthur Lau and The Sustainability/Net-Zero Office team for their invaluable support. Many students expressed interest in HKUST’s sustainability programmes following the workshop. We are grateful that the planned activities resonated so well, and we look forward to supporting the students as they continue their journeys toward positive environmental impact.