Jan-2026

Arranging Green Building Visits

In January 2025, the three GBYLs from the School Team supported the Education Bureau in organising the “Achieving Carbon Neutrality Student Ambassador Training Scheme 2024/25 – Exploring Green Building” project, which attracted over 100 teachers and students. Through guided tours and discussions, students gained insights into how green building concepts such as waste reduction, recycling and energy efficiency are implemented on school campuses and in the wider community.

Making his debut as a guest speaker before an audience of over 100 teachers and students, Hugo shared details of his personal journey “From Athlete to Green Building Professional”, which broadened the students’ understanding of climate change and carbon neutrality, and motivated them to consider pursuing future academic paths and careers in the green building industry.

In October 2025, the School Team collaborated with the Vocational Training Council to organise a HKGBC x VTC Green Building Visit, leading tertiary students on a visit to Langham Place. Serving as the key liaison person with the venue, Hugo guided students on an in-depth exploration of this green building, which has achieved the BEAM Plus Existing Buildings Final Platinum rating. He recalls that the opportunity to explain the building’s design features and innovative technologies, integrating it with his professional knowledge of property management, made the experience a highly rewarding example of “putting learning into practice”.
 
From Experience to Empowerment

The School Team supported a number of activities organised by the HKGBC under the Jockey Club Energy Saver in Schools Project, including workshops that trained each student to become a “Green Building Teenius”. During these workshops, Hugo introduced the students to the daily operations of property and facilities management, while Isaac explained how sustainability principles could be integrated into new building designs. This enabled the students to develop a clearer understanding of the professional considerations behind green buildings. At the same time, the team encouraged the students to unleash their creativity by developing feasible green solutions, and by arranging group discussions and presentations to spark more green ideas. Besides strengthening the students’ knowledge of green building and sustainability, this learning process enhanced their communication skills and confidence, empowering them to promote green campus stories and laying a solid foundation for taking up future careers in the industry.

Isaac developed an interest in green buildings as early as his university years. He interned at the Hong Kong Green Building Council during that time, then after graduation began his career as an engineer. Later, by chance, he joined several of the Council’s projects as a Green Building Young Leader, promoting green building concepts to students and the wider public.

The Green Building Teenius workshop offered Isaac particularly meaningful insights. His interactions with the students helped him learn how to translate his professional engineering knowledge and terminology into simple, clear and memorable messages. To his delight, the students showed strong curiosity and enthusiasm for green building concepts. Although their understanding of the topic was still at an early stage, many were quickly able to grasp the design principles behind it. Their proactive attitude greatly encouraged Isaac and allowed him to see the potential of the younger generation in driving a more sustainable built environment.

Isaac says this experience has strengthened his belief that passing on green building concepts to young people is a mission worth pursuing. He hopes to have more opportunities to visit schools in the future and continue planting the seeds of green building in students’ minds.
 
From Knowledge to Action

In addition, the trio participated in the Council’s flagship public campaign, Hong Kong Green Building Week, for two years in a row. Besides serving as speakers at Expert Talks, they took on the role of Green Building Ambassadors, guiding participants on tram tours to explore green buildings along the route, as well as leading on-site visits to green building projects. Through interactive experiences and professional explanations, they helped raise public awareness of green building features, bringing green building principles and healthy living into everyday life.

Having grown up on Hong Kong Island, Jessica is familiar with riding the tram –  yet leading a guided tour on board the “ding-ding” was a novel experience for her. She was particularly surprised to see participants travelling from as far as Kowloon and the New Territories, motivated by a keen interest in gaining deeper insights into Hong Kong’s green buildings.

Looking back on the past two editions of Hong Kong Green Building Week, Jessica says she greatly appreciates the opportunities it brought to interact with the public, allowing her to experience their curiosity and enthusiasm for green buildings. She was delighted to transform her professional knowledge into content that was simple, engaging and accessible to a wider audience. To her surprise, many citizens already possessed a basic understanding of green building concepts and even BEAM Plus, demonstrating that public awareness of sustainable development is gaining growing momentum. Jessica looks forward to taking part in a variety of further initiatives, connecting with people of all ages and helping make sustainable living a shared way of life in the community.
 
From Vision to a Sustainable Future

The GBYL Programme not only ignites participants’ enthusiasm and leadership potential, but also fosters a strong sense of mission towards sustainable development. While this cohort has successfully concluded its term, Jessica, Isaac and Hugo remain determined to carry their learning experiences forward – turning inspiration into action and extending the programme’s long-term impact.

In the coming months, they will continue promoting green building concepts across campuses and plan to co-host activities with City University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong. These efforts will further amplify the importance of green buildings and healthy living – hopefully inspiring the public and future generations to join hands in advancing sustainable development and achieving a carbon-neutral future!