In response to the United Nations World Environment Day’s international climate action and the vision of Hong Kong’s “Climate Action Plan 2050”, the UNESCO Hong Kong Association (UHKA) and the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development (HiESD) hosted the “The United Nations World Environment Day 2025 – Hong Kong Action cum Net Zero School Project Certification Ceremony” on June 5, 2025.
The “2024-25 Net Zero Schools Project” focuses on education and training, guiding students and teachers to take hands-on action in integrating sustainability into curricula and campus management—from completing carbon emissions report to carbon audits, and extending to project-based STEAM educational activities, thereby establishing net zero demonstration schools in Hong Kong.
Building on the positive response to the “UNESCO Hong Kong Association Towards Net-Zero School” Project launched in the 2022-23 academic year with funding from the Sustainable Development Fund, the current phase has engaged 12 primary and secondary schools. These schools completed their carbon emissions report, underwent verification, and received carbon audit reports with actionable emission reduction recommendations tailored to school conditions.
This event is recognised officially as an action for the United Nations World Environment Day by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is part of the celebrations for the UN’s 80th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of HiESD, and UHKA’s efforts in advancing education for sustainable development. It highlights Hong Kong’s global engagement in climate action and net-zero education.
The ceremony was officiated by Professor Karen Cheung, President of UHKA and director of HiESD; Dr. the Hon. LAM Ching-choi, SBS, JP, a member of the HKSAR Executive Council and the Chairman of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development; The Hon. TANG Fei, MH, a Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, and the Vice President of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers; Ms. KWOK May-han, Grace, Chairman of the Environmental Campaign Committee. Representatives from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (Hong Kong) (SDSN Hong Kong) also attended in support.
Professor Karen Cheung mentioned in her welcome speech, in the 2024 UNESCO report “Education and Climate Change: Learning to Act for People and Planet”, it was once again emphasized that climate change is closely linked to education. UNESCO has been continuously refining and enhancing relevant references and guidelines. The latest version of the Green School Quality Standards highlights four core areas: school governance, curriculum integration, community engagement, and facilities and operations, adopting a whole-school approach to gradual optimization and transformation. The project encourages schools to move beyond scientific data and embed sustainability principles into both curricula and school management. Through initiatives like STEAM research projects and campus management optimization, schools can conduct ongoing carbon audits, make continuous improvements, and serve as pioneering models for net zero education in Hong Kong.
In his officiating speech, Dr. the Hon. LAM Ching-choi praised the schools participating in the “Net Zero School Project” for their leadership in climate action. He encouraged more schools to join the initiative and hoped students would carry eco-friendly and carbon-reduction practices from campus into their homes and daily lives, passing them through generations.
In her address, Ms. KWOK May-han commended the “Net Zero School Project” for helping primary and secondary schools implement top-down, school-wide training on the latest environmental policies, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, and carbon auditing. She highlighted that the project allowed schools to expert guidance throughout their carbon reduction journey.
The event gathered principals, teachers, and students shared their experiences of participating in the “Net Zero School Project” from different perspectives. The Principal Forum was moderated by Mr Ho Tik Shun (Principal, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School, participant of the 2022-23 Towards Net Zero School Project), featured discussions with Principals of schools participating in the 2024-25 Net Zero School Project, including Mr. Dion Chen, M.H. (Ying Wa College), Principal Ms. Cheung Chui Yee (Sha Tin Methodist College), Principal Dr. Patrick Lam (ELCHK Lutheran Academy), Principal Mr. Man Ho-wai (Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Kwok Yat Wai College), and Principal Mr. Yuen Dick Yan, Dennis (St. Paul’s College, participant of both project terms). They explored the project’s impact on long-term school planning, ESG advancement, and integration net zero “hardware” (facilities) and “software” (teaching and curriculum), pledging to deepen campus net zero efforts.
Vice Principal, Ms. Yuen Suk-kwan, and Ms. Choi Siu-mei from Ma On Shan St. Joseph’s Secondary School they showcased how the project helps the teachers to embedded net zero into daily teaching. Ms. Yuen noted enhanced cross-disciplinary collaboration among staff, elevated student/teacher literacy in carbon neutrality, and fostered values of environmental responsibility.
The event has joined the HiESD’s “UNSDGs Towards Net-Zero Event Recognition” Scheme, overseen by Dr. Raymond Fong, Certified Sustainable Development Planner, CSDP and the Former Senior Curriculum Development Officer of the Education Bureau of the Government of HKSAR. Carbon footprints from lighting, HVAC, AV systems, and attendee transportation were quantified. Participants were encouraged to bring reusable bottles and use on-site recycling bins, embodying World Environment Day’s values through the action.
The “2025-26 Net Zero School Project” is now opening for applications. Past participants were encouraged to continue joining the annual carbon audits for incremental improvements and data-driven campus decarbonisation, alongside cross-disciplinary project-based learning.
More Details: https://unesco.hk/web/towards-net-zero-school-project-phase3/
Participating Schools of the 2024 – 25 Net Zero School Project
• Ying Wa College
• Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Kwok Yat Wai College
• St. Paul’s College
• Emmanuel Primary School – Kowloon
• Sha Tin Methodist College
• St. Francis’ Canossian College
• Chinese YMCA College
• Jockey Club Man Kwan Eduyoung College
• ELCHK Lutheran Academy (Primary)
• ELCHK Lutheran Academy (Secondary)
• Ma On Shan St. Joseph’s Secondary School
• Queen Elizabeth School Old Students’ Association Secondary School
No responses yet