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Ah Tan Blog

2018-10-26

Climathon 2018 Hong Kong: Create a Zero Carbon future for Hong Kong

Date: 26th October 2018 (Fri) 7:00pm - 27th October 2018 (Sat) 7:00pm
Venue:The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Fee: Free

Organizer: CarbonCare InnoLab, Jockey Club CarbonCare Open Innovation Lab
Funded by: Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
Co-organizers: The Chinese University of Hong Kong, SDSN National Network for Hong Kong

Registration Deadline: 17 October 2018 (Wednesday)

“Climathon” is a global 24-hour climate change hackathon initiated by Climate-KIC, a climate innovation organization based in Europe. Climathon takes place simultaneously in major cities around the world, during which participants discuss climate challenges facing their home city and come up with solutions through collective wisdom. Last year, more than 100 cities participated in Climathon, including CarbonCare InnoLab which was the organizer in Hong Kong. Over 30 climate enthusiasts at the Climathon last year spent the day and night seeking climate solutions for our city.

Riding on last year’s success, Climathon 2018 has selected four new topics that reflect the latest climate concerns in our society. You are cordially invited to help tackle these four gigantic challenges facing the business sector and the community of Hong Kong, by proposing innovative solutions at this year’s Climathon:

  1. Sustainable energy: Hong Kong relies on imported energy resources, of which coal is still the main source making up around 57% of the energy mix of Hong Kong. Natural gas comes second, making up 21%. The remaining 22% is nuclear power imported from Mainland China. After the feed-in tariff scheme was introduced by the Government in April this year, citizens are allowed to sell the renewable energy they produce to power companies at a unit rate between HK$3-$5. How can we fully utilize this opportunity when renewable energy is set to become the next big wave?
  2. Resource management: Each year, around 6 million tonnes of municipal waste are generated in Hong Kong and over half of them go to three landfills. If solid waste continues to grow, all existing landfills will be full by mid to late 2010’s. The Government has just launched the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and is also going to implement the Municipal Solid Waste Charging Scheme next year. Are these efforts good enough to alleviate the waste problem in Hong Kong? To maximize the use of resources, what measures can we take to reform the current practice of product design and supply chain management so to enhance waste reduction at source, recycling and upcycling?
  3. Consumer behavior: Over consumption is a serious issue in Hong Kong. According to a survey conducted by an international green group, Hong Kong people own more clothing than people from other areas, with some of their clothes still hanging at home with their price tag on. Other than frequent spending, disposable utensils or shopping bags often accompany the goods bought.  Such consumption patterns and tendencies increase the burden of the landfills. Are there bigger and more incentives to motivate responsible consumption?
  4. Climate adaptation: Extreme weather such as super typhoons and heat waves has become the “new normal” under climate change and residents of sub-divided flats or low-lying areas are bearing the brunt. In May this year, the Hong Kong Observatory issued a hot weather warning for 348 hours continuously, the longest in its record. When faced with climate challenges, the elderly and the under privileged are less resilient. Can we do more to help them tackle these burning issues?

Be a part of the World’s Action for Climate Change, join Climathon 2018 Hong Kong NOW!

Awards (All sums awarded are to be used ONLY in project development)

Grand Prize: $4,000

Second Prize: $2,000

Participants will receive an Attendance Certificate issued by Climate-KIC after the event.

Notes to Participants:

-Participants must be 18 years old or above.

-Participants can join as individuals or teams of 3-8 people.  In this 24-hour event, participants will gather together to discuss and suggest solutions for the climate challenges facing Hong Kong. Participants will select one of the 4 climate challenges stated above. If participants want to suggest solutions for climate challenges other than the above topics, please state in the registration form.

- Participants will split into discussion groups based on their interest in the climate issues mentioned above. Each group will present its proposed climate solutions on the second day afternoon. Based on these presentations, the judging panel will decide on the winner of the Grand Prize. If the participants have already got initial solutions in mind, they are also welcome to present their ideas at the beginning of the event.

- Free Wi-Fi is available on site. Please bring along your laptop and other equipment for online research and group presentation.

- This is a FREE event and meals will not be provided by the organizers.

Sign up for Individual Registration 
Sign up for Team Registration