Past Event
2025-06-07
Local Conference of Youth Hong Kong 2025 (LCOYHK) Cultivating Youth Climate Leaders and Amplifying Youth Voices
The Local Conference of Youth Hong Kong 2025 (LCOYHK), an initiative spearheaded by CarbonCare InnoLab (CCIL) and generously supported by the HKEX Foundation, successfully concluded its impactful two-day program on June 7-8, 2025. Under the compelling theme "Resilience & Inclusion: Climate Adaptation for All," the conference convened nearly 250 climate pioneers, youth representatives, and advocates. Together, they explored critical strategies to strengthen climate resilience across all communities and ensure that climate adaptation measures are inherently inclusive and just. LCOYHK holds significant recognition from YOUNGO, the official youth and children constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with CCIL proudly serving as the longest-running organizer of the Local Conference of Youth. This year's LCOYHK was collaboratively hosted by several leading youth organizations, including Climate Solutions Labs, ClimateXArt, Generation Climate Hong Kong (GenC), HealingParks, Youth Environmental Network (NESS), and CyclePunk Hong Kong.
The conference's opening ceremony was distinguished by a keynote address from Mr. Arthur Hok Yin Lee, Commissioner for Climate Change of the Environment and Ecology Bureau. Mr. Lee shared invaluable insights on urban and youth-led climate resilience, issuing a powerful call to action for young people: "Young people are the most creative and dynamic group, and you are the key force in driving low-carbon transformation, raising climate awareness, and fostering innovation. Youth committed to climate action play a crucial role, whether by using the latest technology and social media platforms to convey messages about climate concerns and awaken society's attention to these issues, or by organizing activities to encourage public participation in climate action, building sustainable development, and promoting a low-carbon future."
Ms. Ivy Leung, Executive Director of CCIL, delivered an inspiring address, stating, "CCIL is honored to be the organizer of the LCOYHK for the sixth consecutive year. We are grateful for YOUNGO's unwavering support and deeply appreciate the active participation of youth. LCOYHK is designed 'For Youth By Youth.' We hope the conference provides a more diverse platform for young people to participate in international and local climate discussions and cultivate youth to become climate leaders." She further emphasized, "Each year, LCOYHK focuses on key points in international climate negotiations while adapting to Hong Kong's perspective. This year, our theme is 'Resilience & Inclusion: Climate Adaptation for All.' We hope that the activities will inspire everyone to explore the balance between climate resilience and inclusion as we work together to build a sustainable future."
This year, CCIL specially appointed Ms. Prudence Yeung, an alumni of the Youth Climate Advocacy Training Program, as the Local Youth Climate Champion. During her sharing, she underscored the critical need for more tangible actions in climate adaptation. She passionately encouraged her peers to collectively "be the change" in addressing climate issues, articulating a powerful vision: "Our goal isn't to immediately transform climate negotiation outcomes or make climate change vanish overnight. Instead, it's about leveraging our unique perspectives, innovative thinking, and creative energy as young people to shift our own mindsets and behaviors, ultimately applying our individual talents to address climate challenges." Ms. Yeung's dedication extends globally, having represented CCIL at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference last year, and she is set to attend the 2025 Bonn Climate Conference in mid-June. We anticipate her continued efforts will significantly promote youth climate participation and contribute to a more sustainable future.
The conference convened a diverse array of distinguished guests, all deeply committed to climate change, who led a series of engaging panel discussions, interactive workshops, and educational guided tours. These sessions provided an invaluable platform for youth to network and collaboratively explore strategies for co-creating a climate-resilient future, thereby strengthening the resolve of Hong Kong's youth in climate action. Representatives from various sectors engaged in joint discussions, focusing on implementing changes and undertaking concrete actions to enhance community climate adaptation capacity and advance towards a climate-resilient society. Beyond the comprehensive panel discussions on climate action and solutions, over two hundred local youth actively participated in nine diverse interactive sessions. These covered a wide spectrum of topics, including artificial intelligence, music, and urban planning, enriching participants' practical experience and deepening their understanding of and engagement with climate action. Such activities further inspired their critical thinking and proactive involvement in collectively building a climate-resilient society.
Unifying Youth Voices to Influence International Climate Negotiations
A pivotal outcome of the summit was the formulation of the "Hong Kong Youth Statement." This significant document was collaboratively drafted by nearly 70 participants working in groups and will be formally submitted to YOUNGO, the official youth and children constituency of the UNFCCC. Its inclusion in the records and discussions of the 2025 International Youth Climate Summit (COY20) and the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) will ensure it forms a crucial part of the global youth positioning on climate issues.
The advocacy outlined in the statement focuses on eight key themes: climate adaptation, adaptation finance, energy transition, just transition, nature-based solutions, technology development and transfer, gender and climate change, and action for climate empowerment. This advocacy not only addresses pressing international issues but also provides actionable recommendations for local implementation. The ultimate aim is to establish a robust transnational youth network and foster more effective global climate commitments and actions.
For comprehensive event details, please refer to the link: https://www.ccinnolab.org/lcoy/en/