On 8 November 2024, Hong Kong 2050 is Now launched the Key Environmental Education Leaders (KEL) Programme Sustainable Consumption 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 were honored to welcome Ms. Vanessa Cheung from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Ms. Tiffany Leung from Redress as our guest speakers. In the first half of the webinar, Ms. Cheung introduced FSC’s work in setting standards to ensure that products containing forest-based materials do not contribute to deforestation. She explained FSC’s thorough supply chain checks from forest to consumer, which emphasises how information can be traced and increases transparency, leading to over 80% of consumers trusting the FSC label. Ms. Cheung also suggested simple switches schools can make to merge the sustainability elements into school operation, such as purchasing sustainable products and understanding the meaning and processes behind sustainable labels. Following this, Ms. Tiffany Leung from Redress provided insights into Hong Kong’s sustainable fashion scene, emphasising the importance of schools and educators in fostering sustainability. She highlighted how overconsumption is reflected in the clothing Redress collects from the public, including many items that are brand new and unworn, which Redress resells to promote a circular economy. Ms. Leung introduced the school programmes and talks that Redress offers and shared tips on reducing textile waste in everyday life. During the Q&A session, participants asked insightful questions, such as what contributes to the higher cost of sustainable products compared to unsustainable ones, and how schools can further embrace sustainability. They also expressed gratitude to the speakers, noting that similar talks would be beneficial if held at schools. We are deeply thankful to our speakers for sharing their expertise and enthusiasm during the webinar, and we look forward to continuing the conversation on climate change in schools and across the education sector.

On 4 October 2024, Hong Kong 2050 is Now launched the first event of the Key Environmental Education Leaders (KEL) Programme with a Decarbonisation 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 were honoured to welcome Mr. Lam Chiu Ying, former head of the Hong Kong Observatory, and Mr. Wong Kam Sing, former Secretary for the Environment, as our guest speakers. In the first half of the webinar, Mr. Lam Chiu Ying discussed climate science, explaining the intrinsic link between human activities and climate change and its impact on daily life and survival. He highlighted that 2023 marks a tipping point for the climate, as carbon dioxide level have risen rapidly during the past 35 years, contributing to half of the total carbon dioxide emission since Industrial Revolution. He also emphasised that climate change will significantly affect food security, with noticeable impacts expected before 2050. He stressed the urgency for Hong Kong to become a resilient society and for young people to develop climate knowledge to become future leaders in sustainable development. Next, Mr. Wong Kam Sing provided insights into Hong Kong’s decarbonisation efforts and underscored the crucial role educators play in shaping a sustainable future. He stated that Hong Kong needs to enhance its mitigation and adaptation measures and noted that the government has introduced various blueprints and quick guides on how the city has reduced carbon emissions per capita. He shared practical ways to reduce carbon emissions in everyday life and highlighted the importance of incorporating decarbonisation concepts into different school subjects, which could have a significant impact. During the Q&A session, participants asked insightful questions, such as how sustainability can be integrated into school curricula and how carbon dioxide levels have changed over the years. They also expressed gratitude to the speakers, noting that similar talks would be beneficial if held at schools. We are deeply thankful to our speakers for sharing their expertise and enthusiasm during the webinar, and we look forward to continuing the conversation on climate change in schools and across the education sector.

During the "ACT” phase of the Hong Kong 2050 is Now Young Environment Ambassador (YEA) programme, the YEAs formed teams while guided by mentors from the sustainability field after acquiring skills and knowledge during the “LEARN” phase to complete their own sustainable projects. Prizes were given at the Closing Ceremony to recognise outstanding teams and ideas. The RHFF Innovation Award was given to Group 5 for hosting an engaging ecotour at Hong Kong Park and an interactive terrarium workshop. Group 5 has demonstrated exceptionally innovation through project idea formulation and implementation. Group 5, as a part of the Hong Kong Joint School Environment and Conservation Society formed by three groups of YEAs, led participants through the urban oasis of Hong Kong Park. The ecotour provided an insightful exploration of the park’s diverse plants and birds, offering participants a glimpse into the rich biodiversity that thrives in an urban setting. Then, participants were being invited to the terrarium workshop, where they created their own terrariums while learning about plants and biodiversity. The participants were not only impressed with the diverse biodiversity the park offers, but also with the YEAs’ knowledge on local wildlife. This event had given the students a precious opportunity to sharpen their public speaking and leadership skills, which will benefit them when they pursue on their higher education and careers. As we look ahead, we are excited to see how these young leaders will continue to shine.

During the "ACT” phase of the Hong Kong 2050 is Now Young Environment Ambassador (YEA) programme, the YEAs formed teams while guided by mentors from the sustainability field after acquiring skills and knowledge during the “LEARN” phase to complete their own sustainable projects. Apart from the 3 winning groups, the other 4 groups also produced fruitful results and promoted sustainability and conservation messages in the community. Group 1, as part of the Hong Kong Joint School Environment and Conservation Society, hosted workshops to repurpose used plastic bottles into plant pots and designed exhibition boards to introduce local plants. Group 3 created The Sustainable Classroom on social media, and is on a mission to spread messages of sustainability in a fun and engaging way using a mascot designed by themselves. They have created short reels featuring a charismatic mascot that delivers important tips for eco-friendly living. Group 6 is passionate about promoting local and seasonal eating on social media. They’re producing cooking videos that showcase delicious, eco-friendly recipes while interviewing experts from Green Hub HK to discuss the benefits of a vegetarian diet.   Group 7 focused on fashion sustainability, this team is setting up an online platform for exchanging second-hand clothing. Their initiative not only extends the life of clothing but also fosters a sense of community among fashion lovers. Thank you for all YEA teams’ hard work on implementing their sustainable projects, and commitment to making a positive impact in our communities and environment! We hope that all YEAs have acquired climate change knowledge, different sets of skills, and a broadened horizon after this programme. We look forward to seeing all YEAs transforming into green leaders and working towards a greener and more liveable future for all of us.

During the "ACT” phase of the Hong Kong 2050 is Now Young Environment Ambassador (YEA) programme, the YEAs formed teams while guided by mentors from the sustainability field after acquiring skills and knowledge during the “LEARN” phase to complete their own sustainable projects. Prizes were given at the Closing Ceremony to recognise outstanding teams and ideas. Our grand prize, YEA Sustainable Leadership Award, was presented to Group 2. The group of three set up an online thrift store that specialises in upcycled second-hand clothing, which sets as a remarkable example of sustainable fashion in action. The judges gave their compliments on Group 2’s attempt to build a sustainable business model. As the only projects that generate revenue out of the 7 teams, the online thrift store also emphasises the importance of upcycling, which can significantly reduce textile waste and carbon footprints. By creatively transforming used clothing and producing attractive reels on social media, they have successfully captured the attention of both consumers and judges. Apart from showcasing their clothes, the group also created educational messages on their social media which promotes the importance of sustainable consumption. Their project promotes a culture of conscious consumerism and a circular economy for fashion, demonstrating how sustainable fashion can create lasting positive impacts on our planet. We are more than excited to see how the thrift store will continue to thrive, and what impact it will continue have on youngsters on making conscious fashion choices.

During the "ACT” phase of the Hong Kong 2050 is Now Young Environment Ambassador (YEA) programme, the YEAs formed teams while guided by mentors from the sustainability field after acquiring skills and knowledge during the “LEARN” phase to complete their own sustainable projects. Prizes were given at the Closing Ceremony to recognise outstanding teams and ideas. Group 4 is the winner of the Exxon Mobil High Potential Award, an award which celebrates the project with the highest feasibility and measurable impact. As part of the Hong Kong Joint School Environment and Conservation Society, Group 4 organised a 5-day wildlife photography exhibition to promote Hong Kong biodiversity and nature-based solutions to the public, where they interacted with more than 600 attendees. This project has the highest public influence out of all YEA projects. Mr. Wong Kam Sing, former Secretary for the Environment, Ms. Scarlet Wong from RHFF, and our team were invited to visit their exhibition on 19th August at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. The photo exhibition showcases various ecosystems in Hong Kong, including forest, marine, wetland, and urban environments. After trying out the terrarium workshop, the guests chatted with our YEAs to understand their thoughts about the YEA programme, and they fully supported the idea to set up a joint secondary school society for more like-minded individuals to share ideas.   We hope the YEAs will take valuable lessons from their project experiences and continue to lead in the future.

On 1 August, our YEA programme held an engaging workshop packed with activities centred on Human Library and Project Development. The morning kicked off with a lively Kahoot quiz, testing our YEA attendees on decarbonisation, waste management, sustainable consumption, and nature-based solutions – topics from our previous workshops. The top 7 high scorers were rewarded with gifts sponsored by two sustainable brands Kibo and Haishang. The afternoon session featured a Human Library with 11 distinguished guests, including Ms Connie Chan, Project Manager at Clean Air Network, Mr Gomen See, Marine Science Programme Manager at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Ms Karen Ho, Head of Corporate and Community Sustainability at WWF-Hong Kong, Ms Kelly Chan, Project Officer at Drink Without Waste, Mr Khalil Tsoi, Sustainable Development Assistant Manager at Cathay Pacific, Ms Maggie Suen, Assistant Project Manager at The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, Ms Priscilla Lin, Manager, Sustainability and Strategy at Schneider Electric (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Roy Ng, Campaign Manager at The Conservancy Association, Mr Steven Chan, Assistant Environment Affairs Manager at the Green Earth, Ms Tiffany Leung, Circular Fashion Programme Manager – School Education at ReDress, and Mr Tom Ng, Campaigner at Greenpeace. Our YEA attendees were divided into groups, giving them the opportunity to interact with different guests, gain valuable insights on their project ideas, and receive constructive feedback. Following these discussions, each group presented their project ideas in an elevator pitch session. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Human Library guests for their time and invaluable contributions. Several experienced professionals will guide all of the YEAs in organising sustainable projects throughout August. Best of luck to our YEAs on their project journey, we are excited to see your projects come to life!

On 31 July, the attendees of Hong Kong 2050 is Now Young Environment Ambassador Programme visited Pak Nai, Yuen Long – an area rich with oyster reefs, mudflats, mangroves, and precious organisms like horseshoe crabs! Our visit was facilitated by staff members from The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The TNC staff explained their conservation work in Pak Nai to the students, which includes working on the mudflats in Pak Nai, oyster reef restoration, and ecological monitoring of the surroundings. The TNC staff also brought our attendees on an eco-tour, where the YEA attendees learned about Pak Nai’s rich biodiversity. Following this the YEA attendees participated in a hands-on conservation experience. This involved restoring the oyster reefs in the Pak Nai mudflats by reconfiguring abandoned oyster farms. Oyster reefs have faced increasing degradation due to over-harvesting, decline in sustainable, traditional oyster farming practices, and coastal reclamation. Since oyster reefs provide many ecosystem services (e.g. acting as filter-feeders that improve water quality, and stabilising shorelines), their degradation results in the decline of the surrounding biodiversity. By helping to restore the oyster reefs, our YEA attendees have taken action to make Pak Nai a better environment for the organisms that inhabit the area. We would like to thank the staff at The Nature Conservancy for their time and expertise, through which our YEA attendees have improved their environmental awareness of the biodiversity, aquaculture practices and conservation efforts in Hong Kong!

The YEA participants attended a full-day design thinking course on 29 July, where they learnt valuable and comprehensive skills on how to design and manage a project. In the morning, our design thinking course trainer, Aki, introduced the concept of design thinking to the participants, and they did a design thinking sprint together. The four phases of design thinking were explored: empathy, define, ideate, and prototype. The students spent time learning the concept of empathy through a fun exercise to gather information and emotions on the pain points of their target audience. Then, they presented to the other groups on their craziest, most beloved, most inefficient, and most reasonable solutions to conceptualise the phases of ideate and prototype. In the afternoon, the students continued their journey of design thinking. The concept of pain point was reiterated, which prompted the students to rethink why a certain action is taken by a group of people, the processes that led to such action, and how to choose which part of the process they should focus their solutions on. They learned different types of observation and how they can gather information through various means, such as interviews and questionnaires. We look forward to seeing the project ideas from students generated using the design thinking skills they learned on the day.

On 30 July, our YEA attendees had a site visit to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, guided by Professor Arthur Lau, the Associate Professor of the Division of Environment and Sustainability at HKUST. During the visit to HKUST’s central cooling system, our attendees learned about the use of heat pumps to generate electricity, which is several times more efficient than conventional methods. The system repurposes the heat generated to boil hot water for showers within the university, demonstrating over 20 years of sustainable operation with 9 chillers. This advanced system uses eco-friendly refrigerants that are safe, non-flammable, and have a low global warming potential, making them third-generation refrigerants. Following this, our YEAs participated in the Personal Footprint Workshop, where they explored both water and personal carbon footprints. The median carbon footprint per person in Hong Kong is 3.9 tonnes, highlighting the need for individual action towards sustainability. We were then introduced to the Smart Sustainable Campus at HKUST, featuring cutting-edge technologies such as an AI tray detection system to monitor food waste, a WELL water spring, and an aquaponics system at the university. The campus also boasts EV charging stations, smart parking system and a significant solar panel installation, second only to Hong Kong Disneyland. This field trip provided our YEAs with invaluable insights into sustainable practices that drive HKUST’s commitment to environmental stewardship. A big thank you to HKUST for hosting us and sharing their inspiring initiatives!

On 24 July, our YEA attendees visited the WEEE · Park, a waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling facility located in Tuen Mun’s Ecopark. We were given a tour of the recycling facility, which spans 3 hectares (roughly the size of four football pitches!) and is 30% covered by greenery. We had the privilege of observing the behind-the-scenes of WEEE ·Park’s recycling processes, from the unloading stage to the sorting of extracted materials such as iron, aluminium, copper, and plastic. During the tour, our attendees learned about the WEEE · Park’s services, which are split into three different stages: Recycling, Collect, and Detoxify and Dismantle. The park operates four recycling lines to accommodate a variety of electronic equipment, including refrigerators, aircons, washing machines and driers, and TVs and laptop monitors. Our attendees also learned about how WEEE · Park brings significant benefits to Hong Kong’s society. It not only helps extract valuable materials from electronic equipment for future use, but also prevents harmful toxins in equipment (such as the mercury within LCD screens) from entering our drinking water and environment. Thank you to WEEE · Park and their staff for facilitating this fruitful and engaging visit!

On 24 July, the Civic Exchange team as well as the attendees of Hong Kong 2050 is Now Young Environment Ambassador Programme (YEAs) visited the New Life Plastics Ltd, an integrated partner in the value chain with the Hong Kong government, producers to final consumers, through recycle, reborn, rebottle, and sustainable plastic education. Throughout the visit we tuned into the introduction about the vision, mission, and work of the company, and explored the process of handling recycled plastic bottles. Particularly, it demonstrated the definition of ‘circular economy’. For instance, they produced a new bottle through the recycled bottle. People may not be aware that the raw material of bottle is petroleum, a factor leading to climate change intensification. Using recycled plastic bottles (rPET) instead of standard PET bottles can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60%. Additionally, the process of handling recycled plastic bottles is environmentally friendly. For example, they applied solar panels and wind energy as the cost is not prohibitive and can also be helpful for the environment. However, the YEAs have also noticed that although the recycling facility can process up to 160,000 plastic bottles per hour, the current daily recycling amount only reaches 30% of its maximum capacity. The recycling rate for waste plastic in Hong Kong is low, resulting in many plastic bottles not being recycled. If everyone takes active steps to recycle more plastic in their daily lives, it could help drive industry development. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to New Life Plastics Ltd for their time and insight sharing.