Paris Watch - Youth Training
Past Event
2024-12-20
Christmas Party and Sharing Session of the 5th Cohort of CATY
On 20th December 2024, Carboncare InnoLab (CCIL) hosted a special Christmas Party with the youth and mentors of the 5th cohort of the Climate Advocacy Training for Youth (CATY). This event was a celebration of Christmas and an opportunity to share youth climate actions, highlighting Hong Kong youth's active participation and dynamism in the international climate agenda and local practices.
Sharing by COP29 Youth Delegates
Seven youth delegates shared their experiences from the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). Three participants attended COP29 in person in Azerbaijan and engaged directly in climate negotiations and discussions. They experienced the enthusiasm and concern of peers from different regions regarding climate issues and climate justice. Four other delegates participated remotely through official online platforms, joining various peripheral meetings and forums on climate topics.
They posed a thought-provoking question: How can we, as urban youth, play a role in promoting climate action? While four ongoing Community Climate Advocacy Project are driving action, it's essential to stay aware of local and international climate issues and enhance public awareness of these problems.
Despite the time difference, the four youths who participated remotely from Hong Kong actively followed the negotiation progress on various topics. Some even presented the complex negotiation processes and outcomes visually, helping the public understand the importance of climate negotiations and raising awareness.
Progress Sharing of CATY5 Community Climate Advocacy Projects
During the sharing session, youth from four Community Climate Advocacy Projects discussed their progress and challenges:
CyclePunk: They organised a booth game at an event focused on green transportation and carbon reduction, using interactive games to educate children and parents about Hong Kong's cycling facilities and carbon reduction efforts. They also led a guided bike tour in Tseung Kwan O, explaining the development of local cycling facilities, prompting participants to reflect on their convenience and usability, and discussing how to create a more bike-friendly environment.
EarthWise: In collaboration with a secondary school, they conducted two climate education trial sessions on climate justice, using interactive teaching methods like a COP simulation. This approach helped students understand the climate issues disadvantaged groups face in Hong Kong and internationally, emphasising the importance of climate justice transformation. EarthWise also highlighted various climate actions by youth locally and globally, urging them to recognise their influence and actively participate in promoting climate action and negotiations.
FlashTrash: They shared video clips from their field investigation at the "Hong Kong WinterFest" market, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, highlighting the shortcomings in recycling facilities and promotional efforts. Interviews with visitors revealed a consensus that the market could adopt practices from abroad, such as using recyclable cups and establishing recycling rules to reduce waste generation.
Transtinue: After conducting multiple field investigations and online surveys, they developed a position paper focused on bus stop facilities and policies. This paper aims to raise awareness among bus companies about user experiences in extreme heat and to advocate for improving uncovered or transparent bus stops in response to climate change.
In addition to the sharing sessions, the Christmas party featured interactive games and chit-chat sessions. It is hoped that the youth and mentors can learn from each other's experiences and further promote climate action. We look forward to the CATY5 youth showcasing their initiatives and achievements at the final presentation in April 2025.