SEE Commemorates National Ecology Day 2026 with Inspiring Tech Talk on Climate Change and Sustainable Development
The School of Energy and Environment (SEE) hosted the National Ecology Day 2026 cum SEE Tech Talk on 29 August 2026 at City University of Hong Kong. Centered on the theme Climate Change and Sustainable Development, the event brought together academics, students, alumni, and members of the publics to explore pressing environmental challenges and discuss science-based solutions for a sustainable future.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks by Prof. Edwin Tso, Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach), who warmly greeted distinguished guests, including Founding Dean Prof. Johnny Chan and Ir Dr. Otto Poon. In his address, Prof. Tso highlighted the implementation of the Ecological and Environmental Code of the People’s Republic of China on 15 August 2026, a significant milestone in advancing ecological civilization and environmental protection at the national level. He also noted Hong Kong’s strategic alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Reflecting on recent extreme weather events in Hong Kong, Prof. Tso emphasized the urgent need for science-based action, technological innovation, and cross-sector collaboration across the Greater Bay Area to build a greener and more resilient future.
The technical session featured presentations by four SEE faculty members, showcasing their deep research expertise spanning net-zero transitions, environmental sustainability, ecology, and climate science. Prof. Peipei Chen examined actionable strategies on accelerating the transition to net-zero, while Prof. Xueke Li discussed connecting ecology and climate across scales, from planetary waves to urban resilience. Prof. Tanghua Li provided historical perspectives by analyzing lessons from 20,000 years of sea-level change, and Prof. Yucheng Lin shared critical insights on Antarctic ice dynamics and their impact on Hong Kong's shores. The engaging presentations sparked lively discussions, with participants actively interacting with the speakers during the Q&A sessions.
The event concluded with inspiring closing remarks delivered by Prof. Benjamin Horton, Dean of SEE, who reaffirmed SEE’s ongoing commitment to advancing cutting-edge research, driving sustainability initiatives, and fostering environmental stewardship across the university and broader community.
SEE is proud to support the observance of National Ecology Day and extends its sincere appreciation to all speakers for sharing their expertise, as well as to all participants whose enthusiastic engagement contributed to the event’s success. Through initiatives such as the SEE Tech Talk, the School remains dedicated to promoting environmental awareness, facilitating knowledge exchange, and inspiring collective action towards a more sustainable future.