The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
2024-10-13
7 Hong Kong Youth Representatives Attended the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, Urging the Hong Kong Government to Make Climate Commitments and Respond to International Climate Goals
CarbonCare InnoLab will lead 7 Hong Kong youth representatives to the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan in early November, bringing the "Hong Kong Youth Climate Action Declaration" to the international conference, participating in climate negotiations, sharing Hong Kong's measures to address climate change internationally, and expressing their positions and suggestions on climate action.
The "Hong Kong Youth Climate Action Declaration" was jointly written by seven youth representatives from the Low Carbon Think-Creation Lab, including Cheng Jie, Yeung Kit Lai, Yeung Ho Fan, Cheung Yu Ching, Leung Man Tai, Ying Yau Kit, and Kylie Lai, Senior Project Manager of Low Carbon Think-Creation Lab, and was read out at a press conference. Yeung Kit Lai pointed out, "Hong Kong's current climate policies are outdated and vague. We hope the government will mainstream climate action, integrating climate considerations into every governance and decision-making process." Youth expect the policy address to be delivered on Wednesday to propose more proactive and ambitious measures in line with international climate goals and processes, safeguarding the rights of vulnerable communities, demonstrating climate justice, and fulfilling the international climate commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C under the Paris Agreement.
The six initiatives of the "Hong Kong Youth Climate Action Declaration" are:
1. Raise Climate Ambition in line with the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement
2. Develop a RE-centred energy transition roadmap
3. Reform and develop an effective, comprehensive and human-centred adaptation and resilience plan
4. Climate Finance
5. Climate Innovation Ecosystem
6. Increase youth and public engagement in climate actions
7 youth representatives come from the fifth Climate Advocacy Training for Youth (CATY) and Hong Kong Climate Action Network for Youth (HK-CANY) programs, which aim to incubate climate advocacy and action among young people from various backgrounds. The participating youth have diverse backgrounds, including university students and young professionals, with expertise in law, physics, green finance, corporate strategy, marketing, climate education, and more. The Low Carbon Think-Creation Lab hopes that upon their return to Hong Kong, they will bring back an international perspective and promote climate advocacy work in different sectors.
COP29 Hong Kong Youth Statement on Climate Actions (Full Text): Here