"2026 World Environment Day Hong Kong Action cum Net Zero School Project Certification Ceremony" Successfully Held
UNESCO Hong Kong Recognised by UNESCO as an Accreditation Organisation of the Greening Education Partnership
Launch of "Hong Kong Green School Quality Standards" to Lead Schools Towards Net Zero
In response to the “2026 World Environment Day” and UNESCO’s “Greening Education Partnership”, the UNESCO Hong Kong Association (UHKA) and the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development (HiESD) successfully held the “2026 World Environment Day Hong Kong Action cum Net Zero School Project Certification Ceremony” on June 5, 2026. The event is recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the “2026 World Environment Day Hong Kong Action”. It was proudly announced that the UHKA and HiESD have been recognised by UNESCO as an accreditation organisation of the Greening Education Partnership, a global initiative under the guiding framework of UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development’. The event also published the “Hong Kong Green School Quality Standards (Pilot Version)” and the “Hong Kong Net Zero Schools Progress Report”, bringing together representatives from the government, education sector, businesses, and environmental organisations to witness this important milestone in environmental education and carbon neutrality practices in Hong Kong.
UNESCO Hong Kong Recognised as an Accreditation Organisation of the UNESCO 'Greening Education Partnership' and Launches Hong Kong Green School Quality Standard
Professor Karen Cheung, President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association, announced at the event that the UHKA and HiESD have officially been recognised as an accreditation organisation of the Greening Education Partnership, a global initiative under the guiding framework of UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development. On the same occasion, the “Hong Kong Green School Quality Standards (Pilot Version)” was officially published. Schools that receive accreditation will be formally included in the global network of UNESCO’s ‘Greening Education Partnership’, contributing to UNESCO’s global goal “to green at least 50% of schools in every country by 2030” and demonstrating Hong Kong schools’ green leadership. These standards will be applied to the “Net Zero School Project” starting from the 2026/27 academic year, providing Hong Kong schools with specific guidelines that integrate international frameworks and local practices. The standard covers four pillars: School Governance, Facilities and Operations, Teaching and Learning, and Community Engagement
Officiating Remark Delivered by the Acting Secretary for EEB, Distinguished Officiating Guests Gather to Celebrate Hong Kong’s Environmental Action
Delivering her speech at the event, the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, said that to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, the “Net Zero School Project” provides a platform for participating schools to integrate carbon reduction knowledge into their curriculum, nurture students to adopt energy saving and emission reduction measures at campuses, and bring the concept of low-carbon living into fruition. They can also lead more institutions to join the green transition by acting as “Net Zero Demonstration Schools”.
Miss Wong also took the opportunity of the Environment Day to encourage teachers and students to participate in the Beautiful Hong Kong Green Fest launched by the Environmental Protection Department. Through a series of diverse experiential and hands-on activities, participants can deepen their understanding of environmental protection and jointly build a beautiful Hong Kong.
Officiating guests included: Miss WONG Shuk Han, Diane, JP, Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Mr. Tam Yiu-chung, GBM, JP, Secretary General of Hong Kong Coalition; Professor Karen Cheung, President of UHKA and Director of HiESD; Ms. KWOK May-han, Grace, Chairman of the Environmental Campaign Committee; Sr. Ho Siu Leung Nelson, Director of the BEAM Society Limited; and Prof. YING Yu Hing, MH, Vice President of UHKA. The officiating guests kicked off the ceremony by holding up a series of guidelines published by the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership and the “Hong Kong Green School Quality Standard.”
"Hong Kong Net Zero Schools Progress Report" Released – Data-Driven Carbon Reduction
The “Hong Kong Net Zero Schools Progress Report” was also released at the event, summarising the cumulative data and achievements of the project over three phases since 2022. The report shows that participating schools have demonstrated continuous improvement in areas such as carbon auditing, water resource management, and electricity consumption, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and data analysis. The schools have also elevated the application of data into curriculum and school management, integrating the concept of sustainable development into their curricula. Through practices such as STEAM research-based learning and community engagement, they enabled learners and local communities to acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to address the impacts of climate change. This fosters a culture of sustainability and cultivates students to become future green and sustainable talent.
"Net Zero Demonstration Schools" Certification – Recognising the Efforts of Schools, Teachers and Students
The event also presented “Net Zero Demonstration School” plaques to schools that completed the “Net Zero School Project” in the 2025-26 academic year. Ying Wa College, St. Paul’s College, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School, Shatin Methodist College, St. Francis’ Canossian College, and TWGHs Kwok Yat Wai College have all participated in the project for the second or third consecutive year. With the joint efforts of principals, teachers, and students, these schools successfully completed a series of training sessions and carbon audits and analysed future directions and targets by comparing data across years.
Cross-Sector Panel Explores Pathways to Carbon Neutrality
The “Cross-Sector Collaboration and Educational Innovation for Carbon Neutrality” panel was moderated by Dr. Raymond Fong, former Senior Curriculum Development Officer of the Hong Kong Education Bureau and Senior Lecturer at the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development (HiESD). Panellists included Ms. KWOK May-han, Grace, Chairman of the Environmental Campaign Committee; Mr. Fung Wai Pong, General Manager – Advanced Construction Technology of HKQAA; Mr. Ho Tik-shun, Principal of The Chinese Foundation Secondary School; Ms. Cheung Chui-yee, Principal of Shatin Methodist College. They shared practical experiences in promoting carbon neutrality from the perspectives of policy, certification, school management, teaching and learning, and community engagement.
Conclusion and Outlook
This event marks the official alignment of Hong Kong school climate action with global green school standards and frameworks and reflects the international recognition of Hong Kong’s ‘Net Zero School Project’. Looking ahead, the UHKA and HiESD will continue to promote the expansion of the “Net Zero School Project” to more schools. Through training and hands-on practices for teachers and students, cross-school exchanges, and community engagement, we will further extend climate action from school campuses to communities, contributing to both international and local climate goals.
The Hong Kong Green School Quality Standard is now published on: https://unesco.hk/web/hong-kong-green-school-quality-standard/
Comments are closed