In 2015, government leaders from all over the world assembled at the Paris Climate Conference. They signed an agreement that seeks to keep global warming level to just below two degrees Celsius. They convened that to achieve this, countries need to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and promote zero-carbon initiatives.
Energy sources used for providing lighting and air conditioning and powering up gadgets and electronics are a big producer of carbon dioxide, which causes global warming. If you come to realize, much of the electricity we use every day contributes to greenhouse gas emissions that worsen the problem. In Hong Kong, for instance, the use of electricity is responsible for over 60% of total local emissions and buildings account for 89% of total use of electricity.
Due to the growing movement towards environment protection and preservation, different sectors are starting different green initiatives. Schools in Hong Kong, for instance, are actively searching for ways to minimize their greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to be part of the worldwide movement to save the planet.
Builders and scientists work closely to make schools become more environmentally friendly. One of the best examples is the ZCB Bamboo Pavilion in the Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Architecture. It is Hong Kong’s first zero-carbon building, which was designed to minimize carbon footprint.
Sing Yin Secondary School in Kwun Tong is another popular name when it comes to zero carbon schools. In fact the World Green Building Council named it as one of the Greenest Schools on Earth in 2013. The school has different energy-saving features like solar panels, energy efficient elevators and air conditioning, as well as motions sensors that switch lights on only when classrooms are being used. As a result, Sing Yin’s electricity consumption is 20% lower than the average secondary school in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong schools are a great example to academic institutions around the world. Through their green initiatives and zero-carbon goals, other schools and even governments and sectors can be inspired to do the same for a greener and safer Earth.