Guiding a Greener Tomorrow: How HKUST and Local Youth Celebrated World Environment Day 2026

In celebration of World Environment Day 2026, HKUST has launched a series of vibrant environmental events that highlight the city's astonishing biodiversity and engage the next generation in hands-on conservation.

This year's celebrations are particularly historic. Marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Hong Kong is hosting the "Beautiful Hong Kong Green Fest" from June 1 to June 7, 2026. The week-long campaign aligns with the 2026 World Environment Day national flagship initiative, which is being jointly organized by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau to foster regional cooperation in ecological preservation.

Unveiling Hong Kong’s Hidden Marine Treasures

HKUST hosted a special screening of the documentary “Picturesque Bays of Hong Kong,” produced by the Environment and Ecology Bureau on 1 June attended by around 40 staff and students. The breathtaking visuals were followed by an insightful lunch talk led by key environmental experts: Mr. Vincent Chan from the EPD and Ms. Yolanda Yeung from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

During the session, the speakers shared startling statistics regarding Hong Kong’s marine environment:

• Rich Biodiversity: Despite comprising less than 0.1% of China’s total sea area, Hong Kong’s waters support nearly 6,000 marine species—representing more than a quarter of the country’s recorded marine species.
• Vibrant Coral Reefs: Hong Kong is home to over 80 species of hard corals, a figure that remarkably surpasses the total coral diversity found across the entire Caribbean Sea.
• Robust Protection: The city’s marine conservation efforts are currently safeguarded by eight designated marine parks and one marine reserve.

A major focus of the discussion was the recent recognition of Mirs Bay as an “Outstanding Example of National Beautiful Bays.” Mr. Chan explained that this prestigious national designation is the culmination of years of dedicated cross-departmental work.

"The successful ongoing management of Mirs Bay relies on a delicate balance," noted Mr. Chan. "It is a combination of strict water quality management, ecological conservation, preservation of local cultural heritage, and a strong, shared commitment to green development."

Grassroots Action: Youth Mobilize at Pak Shui Wan and HKUST

While experts discussed macro-level conservation policies, local youth learned about environmental advocacy and immediate action.

On June 6, the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association stepped up as a key supporting organization. A dedicated team of Junior Girl Guides, Girl Guides, Senior Girl Guides, and leaders aged 10 and older gathered at Pak Shui Wan near HKUST for a coastal beach cleanup. Working under the morning sun, the volunteers cleared marine debris from the shoreline, directly contributing to the protection of the local coastal habitats.

Following their hard work on the beach, the Girl Guides transitioned to the campus of HKUST to explore how modern communities can integrate sustainable practices into daily life.

The campus educational tour showcased HKUST’s cutting-edge sustainability initiatives, focusing on circular economy solutions and biodiversity:

1. Food Waste Innovation: The youth observed the campus's advanced food waste sorting infrastructure and interacted with smart food waste recycling bins, learning how organic waste can be diverted from landfills and repurposed.
2. Circular Dining: The guides were introduced to the university's eco-friendly lunchbox lending program, which minimizes single-use plastic waste across campus dining halls.
3. Biodiversity Up Close: The day concluded with an ecological guided tour of the campus Butterfly Garden, where the participants learned about urban habitat creation and the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystem.

The events successfully demonstrated that protecting the environment requires both robust government policy and active community ownership. To ensure these fragile ecosystems thrive for generations to come, speakers and organizers alike emphasized the critical need for continuous public education, scientific research, and active volunteerism.

For the young Girl Guides who walked the shores of Pak Shui Wan and explored HKUST's green innovations, the day was more than just an educational field trip—it was an empowerment milestone. By connecting immediate physical volunteerism with advanced campus recycling technologies, the event successfully sowed the seeds of environmental stewardship in the minds of tomorrow's leaders, proving that a greener tomorrow is already being actively shaped by the hands of the youth today.