The 2022 Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (more commonly referred to as COP27), which CarbonCare Innolab (CCIL) participated in as an observer, resulted in at least a 2.4-degree world, which means that four billion people will still be threatened compared to the 1.5-degree target set in the Paris Agreement. The new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) from 198 countries will only bring the temperature to 2.5 degrees, which is still distant from the 1.5-degree target by the end of the century.

In the context of Hong Kong, a densely populated, hilly, coastal city in southern China, people are vulnerable to weather extremes, and meteorologists predict hotter and longer heatwaves as a result of climate change. The weather extremes particularly threaten vulnerable groups such as youth, elderly, those with medical conditions, and outdoor workers. Hong Kong SAR government has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which presents a significant challenge for the city. There is a need for a new generation of climate leaders who are knowledgeable and committed to advocating for climate action and policy interventions.

The Climate Advocacy Training for Youth (CATY) programme aims to address these challenges by empowering Hong Kong's urban youth to become change agents and advocate for climate action and policy interventions.

The programme seeks to identify and nurture youth with a strong commitment and dedication to advocating for climate emergency, carbon neutrality, climate just transition, sustainable development, and other related environmental issues. CATY acts as a climate campaign incubator by providing training, mentorship, and support to committed youth who are eager to launch a climate campaign after completing the programme.

CATY aims to equip talented youth with the confidence and ability to participate effectively in local, national, regional, and global conventions on environmental and social issues, particularly related to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, Agenda 2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals. The programme's objectives are two-fold:

Firstly, to push the ambition level of Hong Kong for climate action through empowering youth climate action, networking, and community engagement. CATY aims to address the lack of opportunities for young people in Hong Kong to receive training and mentorship to develop their advocacy skills and participate in international conferences and negotiations on climate change.

Secondly, to train young people to participate more effectively in international conferences, debates, initiatives on climate change, and sustainability issues linking global and local policy actions. By doing so, CATY seeks to contribute to the global movement of youth-led climate action and support the achievement of the United Nations Youth Strategy's goals to empower young people to unleash their full potential on combating climate change.

CATY has graduated 61 youth in three cohorts, comprising 17 males and 44 females, 29 young professionals, and 32 students, with 39 having an environmental background. Fourteen CATY graduates were selected as CCIL's COP Delegates for COP24 to COP27, and they shared their learning and experiences in post-COP webinars and at the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Hong Kong. CATY students conducted 12 community projects to engage Hong Kong's public on climate issues, while CCIL's social media channels featured 60 posts, 100 stories, and 131 activities and interviews during COP sessions and with YOUNGO. CATY alumni and the Hong Kong Youth for Climate Action (HKYCA) were established to sustain the momentum of climate advocacy at local and international levels.

CATY is a collaborative initiative that involves various organizations, stakeholders, and government departments. The programme is implemented by the CarbonCare InnoLab (CCIL). In addition to CCIL, the programme also gathers knowledge support and sharing from renowned local and international climate advocacy leaders. The programme also collaborates with various stakeholders, including universities, NGOs, and businesses, to organize community projects and promote climate action.

The total budget of this project is USD208,846. The project is being supported with external funding from a family foundation (2019-2022) and HKEX Foundation (2023-2024). Desktop research and graphic design support were utilized.

CATY alumni have demonstrated their capabilities as climate change advocates and leaders through various activities. They have organized community dialogues to spread knowledge of climate adaptation among university students and provided mentorship to the next cohort of CATY students. Some alumni have advocated for enhanced local climate adaptation and resilience policies, especially for disadvantaged groups such as outdoor workers and subdivided flat residents. 

Graduates selected to participate in COP have engaged with regional and global climate change activists through the Children and Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC (more commonly referred to as YOUNGO) and other networks, sharing their experiences in seminars with the public and private sectors. They have also been active in tracking the progress of the Paris Agreement and have become young change agents for climate action.

Climate change is a pressing global issue that demands immediate attention and action from individuals and communities. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 2022 report sent an urgent message, confirming that if we do not accelerate mitigation and adaptation actions, the damage to the global climate and ecosystems will be irreversible.

The CATY programme has the potential to be replicated and scaled in other regions and countries, with the caveat that the syllabus must be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the changing landscapes of climate advocacy. However, there are some major issues related to replicating the initiative that must be considered.

Firstly, funding is a crucial factor in ensuring the sustainability and scalability of the programme. The CATY programme is currently funded by philanthropic organizations, and securing long-term funding sources is critical to sustaining the programme's impact over time.

And, the success of the programme relies heavily on the involvement of various stakeholders, including NGOs, government agencies, and businesses, to provide mentorship, resources, and support for youth in their climate advocacy efforts. Establishing partnerships with these stakeholders may be challenging, particularly in regions or countries where climate action is not yet a priority.

By addressing these major issues, the CATY programme can serve as a model for other initiatives seeking to empower youth in climate advocacy and leadership.

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