Paris Watch - Youth Training
Past Event
2024-01-11
CarbonCare InnoLab create a Platform for Collaborative Thinking across Various Sectors to Take Climate Action More Ambitious than COP28
In 2023, it was recorded as the hottest year globally, and Hong Kong witnessed record-breaking extreme weather events. These events included the highest average temperatures in July and November, the longest-duration black rainstorm warnings, and the highest hourly and 24-hour rainfall records. These occurrences demonstrated the destructive power of extreme weather firsthand. The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) holds significance as it is the first to conduct a "Global Stocktake." This comprehensive assessment evaluates the progress made by countries in achieving the goals set forth in the 2015 Paris Agreement, with a specific emphasis on the objective of keeping the global average temperature increase well below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The profound significance of this evaluation cannot be understated. Following a period of absence, the Hong Kong government has reengaged by sending a delegation alongside China to COP28. This delegation participated in a forum hosted at the "China Pavilion." The forum placed special emphasis on green finance, providing a platform to evaluate Hong Kong's efforts and achievements in global environmental protection and sustainable financial development.
Despite the significant importance of COP28, CarbonCare InnoLab (CCIL) has observed a lack of participation and discussion from various sectors in Hong Kong regarding the conference. In response to this, CCIL organised the "Decoding COP28: Unleashing Hong Kong's Response to Ambitious Climate Action cum CarbonCare® Label 2023 Award Ceremony" on January 10th at the Regal Hong Kong Hotel. The primary objective of this event was to enhance the understanding of COP28's contents among individuals from all sectors, fostering greater engagement and awareness.
The primary aim of the event was to raise awareness about the interconnectedness between climate change and various industries and society as a whole. This event had the privilege of hosting several esteemed participants, including COP28 observers, scholars, social entrepreneurs, NGOs, and corporate representatives. The attendees engaged in three interactive sharing sessions, creating a platform for civil society, educational institutions, and the business sector to gain deeper insights into COP28. Collectively, they explored effective approaches to comprehend and take climate action, addressing the challenges of climate change and striving towards climate justice. Distinguished speakers at the event included Mr. Kevin Li (Researcher), Ms. Waifun Ho (Programme Manager), and Ms. Gladys Wong (Senior Programme Officer) from CCIL, along with Mr. John Sayer, the Executive Director of CarbonCare Asia at Deloitte, Mr. Plato YIP Kwong To, the Chairperson of Friends of the Earth (HK), and six inspiring youth delegates: Ms. Lorraine Wong, Mr. Hugo Chu, Ms. Chan Hiuching, Ms. Jasmine Siu, Ms. Annabelle Ho, and Ms. Athena Yau. Notably, Mr. Kevin Li and Mr. John Sayer provided valuable insights by focusing on explaining the negotiation outcomes of COP28.
During his welcoming speech, Mr. Chan Yau Chong, co-founder and CEO of CCIL, emphasised the urgency of the climate crisis. He stated, 'Today, BBC News pointed out that scientific data confirms that 2023 will be the hottest year, with an average temperature rise of 1.48°C, surpassing the 1.5°C target. The climate crisis is getting closer step by step, and all sectors have no excuse to refuse to take climate action.’
This event comprised two sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. The morning session aimed to engage civil society and educational institutions, facilitating in-depth discussions on a range of topics such as energy transition, climate justice, climate adaptation, and health. On the other hand, the afternoon session specifically targeted the business sector, focusing on subjects like social innovation, green finance, carbon reduction progress, and the commendation of prominent corporate organisations with the "CarbonCare® Label".
The Vital Force of Civil Society and Educational Institutions in Driving a Just Transition
During the event, Mr. Kevin Li, a researcher from CCIL, delivered a presentation titled "Decoding COP28: Key Messages for Civil Society and Educational Institutions." He highlighted the global stocktake of COP28, which revealed the inadequacy of climate actions by various countries. The final agreement of COP28 included commitments to "transitioning away from fossil fuels" and called for each country to triple their current renewable energy installation capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. Despite some progress, these measures were still insufficient to completely eliminate fossil fuels, and there was a lack of assurance regarding adequate climate finance for developing nations.
The first sharing session, titled "Hong Kong Stocktake: Civil Society’s Role in delivering transformational climate action for a Just Transition," featured various speakers from different backgrounds, including social enterprises, academia, NGOs, and youth representatives. The session focused on how civil society and educational institutions can drive low-carbon and just transitions in Hong Kong while safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable communities. The speakers unanimously agreed that policy plays a crucial role in addressing climate change and achieving climate justice. However, when policies are inadequate, the participation and voluntary actions of civil society become essential.
Ms. Lorraine Wong, the COP28 youth delegate from CCIL, observed that while COP28 focused on climate justice and human rights at the international level, these topics received limited attention within Hong Kong society. Recognizing that climate change affects multiple generations, she emphasised the importance of incorporating values such as climate justice, human rights, and youth participation into the policymaking process. Ms. Shek Hung Wong, Director of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Program at Oxfam Hong Kong, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable groups and called for policies that address their specific needs. Dr. Darren Cheung, a Research Assistant Professor, Asian Energy Studies Centre; Department of Geography at Hong Kong Baptist University, mentioned that current policies fail to provide adequate financing for carbon reduction projects like wind farms. In addition to policy advocacy, he suggested that civil society can take voluntary action by actively participating in climate initiatives. Dr. Cheung encouraged the public to voluntarily contribute data on solar energy generation, raising awareness of the significant role of renewable energy. Ms. Ada Wong, the Executive Chair of Good Lab, stressed the importance of starting with education to inspire young people with an entrepreneurial spirit and nurture them to become agents of change in climate action that prioritises people's well-being. Ms. Waifun Ho, the Project Manager at CCIL, pointed out that civil society has opportunities to translate policies into meaningful actions. As an example, CCIL effectively leveraged the government's introduction of feed-in tariffs to facilitate the installation of solar panels by NGOs, thereby increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the power supply.
Integrating Climate Adaptation Measures into Urban and Development Planning to Safeguard Human Health
For the first time, COP28 introduced a Health Day to underscore the influence of climate change on human well-being. The event highlighted the necessity of incorporating health considerations into climate adaptation measures and corresponding development planning. During the second session, titled "Hong Kong Adaptation Goal: Creating a healthy and liveable city in an inclusive approach," experts, youth-led advocacy groups, and NGOs specialising in healthcare and disaster management came together to explore the interplay between climate change and health. The session showcased a range of projects aimed at facilitating community adaptation and fostering the establishment of healthy, livable cities.
During the session, Mr. Hugo Chu, the COP28 youth delegate from CCIL, drew attention to the growing significance of cities in addressing climate change and raised concerns about Hong Kong's "livability" policies and adaptation measures, which have not adequately aligned with international standards. He highlighted that the "Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050" lacks attention to health-related issues. In contrast, Dr. Panda Chan, an assistant professor at the Department of Applied Science at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, emphasised the direct health risks posed by extreme weather events such as heatwaves and mosquito infestations. He also emphasised the indirect health crises arising from factors like water contamination due to flooding, and compromised food safety. These examples underscored the importance of addressing climate change-induced health problems. With limited government involvement in addressing climate change-related health issues, numerous NGOs have stepped up to provide relevant health services in various communities. Mr. Anthony Lai, the Head of Strategic Communication and Talent Development for Climate Action, shared insights into the impact of climate change-related health risks on different groups' living costs. He particularly emphasised the challenges faced by residents of subdivided housing and outdoor workers, who often find themselves vulnerable to extreme weather conditions “without means of escape, protection, or rescue.” Similarly concerned about the health issues faced by marginalised communities and community climate justice, the Community Climate Resilience Concern Group, formed by participants of the Climate Advocacy Training for Youth (CATY), had their member, Mx. Yin Lau, share their initiatives in resource redistribution. These initiatives involve donating heat relief supplies, establishing cooling centres, and creating community rest stations to foster healthier communities. In order to establish a livable city in Hong Kong, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the prevalent climate-related disasters encountered in the region. Ms. Eva Yeung, the Senior International & Relief Officer at the Hong Kong Red Cross, provided insights into projects implemented in Tai O and Pok Fu Lam. She explained how the Red Cross is actively enhancing climate resilience in environmentally vulnerable areas of Hong Kong, thereby contributing to the creation of safer and more sustainable communities. Ms. Gladys Wong, the Senior Programme Officer at CCIL, highlighted that since 2018, CCIL has been employing the Talanoa dialogue approach. This approach facilitates open, equal, and inclusive platforms for engaging in climate community dialogues with NGOs. These dialogues have successfully reached diverse groups, including people with disabilities, outdoor workers, subdivided housing residents, and individuals with mental health conditions, ensuring that the voices of marginalised communities are heard and valued. Following these community dialogues, many participating organisations have been motivated to sustain and expand their ongoing climate actions while also initiating new initiatives.
Hong Kong Corporations Need to Step Up to Meet International Climate Standards and Trends
Furthermore, CCIL expanded the scope of discussion to the business sector. Mr. John Sayer, the Executive Director of Deloitte CarbonCare Asia, first introduced the key messages of COP28 to the attendees in areas such as energy transition, climate adaptation, financing, and carbon markets. He highlighted COP28's commitments to renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as the technological advancements and projects addressing climate change in agriculture, food, and health, which serve as investment indicators for the business sector.
During the third session of the sharing event, participants from NGOs, charitable foundations, startups, and sustainable development consulting firms gathered to discuss the topic of "Beyond COP28: The Way Forward for the Business Sector." Ms. Annabelle Ho, a youth delegate from CCIL, emphasised that the current focus of charitable activities and corporate philanthropy is only minimally directed towards addressing climate change. She expressed her desire for these organisations to move away from solely pursuing immediate gains and instead allocate more resources towards long-term climate projects.Ms. Karen Ng, the Chief Operating Officer of GRST Holdings Limited, a startup specialising in advanced lithium battery technology, highlighted the crucial role of technology in providing clean energy and facilitating the transition away from fossil fuels across different industries. She emphasised the growing significance of youth engagement in scientific research as well. Mr. Plato Yip Kwong To, the Chairperson of Friends of the Earth (HK), introduced the organisation's side event held in the China Pavilion during COP28. The event focused on how Hong Kong responds to climate change, specifically in terms of green finance and financial technology. Kevin Li, a researcher at CCIL, emphasised the importance for the business sector to genuinely eliminate fossil fuels rather than engaging in greenwashing practices. He also highlighted that CCIL is actively researching Hong Kong's green finance policies to identify areas where the energy transition is not aligned with the goal of achieving the 1.5°C target. Mr. John Sayer emphasised once again the crucial significance of the business sector collectively phasing out fossil fuels.
Youth Participation is Vital for Effective Climate Action
CCIL has a long-standing commitment to youth engagement at COP. This year, seven exceptional graduates of the "Youth Climate Advocacy Training" (CATY) program had the opportunity to attend COP28. On this significant occasion, they shared their valuable experiences and insights from COP28, each contributing their expertise in their respective fields. During the sharing session, three dynamic youth representatives, Ms Hiu Ching Chan, Ms. Jasmine Siu, and Ms. Athena Yau, brought forth diverse perspectives on climate action. Their discussions revolved around three major topics: the Loss and Damage Fund, nature-based solutions, and climate justice. Ms. Lorraine Wong and Ms. Annabelle Ho further underscored the significance of active youth involvement in decision-making processes, be it in public policy or business matters, rather than settling for passive opinions.
Climate change is a cross-generational issue, and the future of youth is most affected by it. However, their power and influence are often limited. We recognize the indispensable voice of young people and understand the importance of empowering them to play a role in driving climate action. Since 2020, CCIL has launched the CATY program to deepen the understanding of international climate change issues among Hong Kong youth. It also provides them with opportunities to participate in international climate negotiations, bringing their negotiation experiences back to Hong Kong and promoting community-level climate action, truly embodying the principle of "Think Global, Act Local."
Driving Sustainable Practices: CarbonCare® Label Recognizes Business Leaders' Efforts in Carbon Reduction
Some business leaders have already taken the lead in reducing carbon emissions, practicing the best reporting standards for "ESG," and supporting the circular economy. Since 2011, the CarbonCare® Label scheme has been awarding labels annually to companies and organisations that demonstrate outstanding performance in sustainable development. It encourages businesses and organisations to actively reduce their carbon footprints or achieve carbon neutrality through carbon measurement, reduction, and offsetting. By raising application requirements, the scheme also promotes continuous improvement among businesses and organisations. To date, over 500 institutions from various sectors, including listed companies, private companies, government departments, public institutions, social enterprises, NGOs, hotels, and commercial buildings/venues, have received the CarbonCare® Labels. This year, CCIL presented a total of 44 CarbonCare® Labels to 20 organisations, recognizing their commitments to addressing climate change over the past year. Notably, Jebsen Group, TREE Limited, and China State Construction International Holdings Limited - Hong Kong Organic Resources Recovery Centre Phase 2 have achieved carbon neutrality. Fortune REIT and Kerry Properties Limited have both obtained the highest level of the CarbonCare ESG Label - Level 4.
While listed companies are slightly ahead in climate action, Hong Kong has over 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that constitute a significant portion of the economy. Therefore, SMEs must follow the footsteps of listed companies in mitigating the impacts and risks of climate change.
Conclusion
To reduce carbon emissions, it is crucial for all sectors of society, including government, businesses, education institutions, social welfare organisations, religious groups, and NGOs, to collaborate and contribute their efforts. By actively participating in policy advocacy, voluntary actions, education, and business activities, these sectors can effectively address climate change while simultaneously safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable communities during the transition to a low-carbon future. The COP28 agreement underscores the importance of governments worldwide comprehensively updating their climate action plans within the next two years, and it highlights the necessity for all sectors of society to align their endeavours accordingly. CCIL strives to inspire various sectors through this event, motivating them to take significant climate action, promote more extensive and impactful initiatives, prevent future climate-related disasters, and uphold the principles of climate justice.