The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) took an important step forward in its sustainability journey with the opening ceremony of the Yard for Environmental Sustainability (YES) Pavilion recently. The YES Pavilion is an innovative permanent brick construction designed to encourage environmentally responsible living. The project is part of a broader campus sustainability initiative to promote responsible material use, recycling and a green environment.<\/p>\r\n
Officiating at the ceremony were Professor Sham Mai-har, CUHK\u2019s Pro-Vice-Chancellor; Professor Nick Rawlins, CUHK\u2019s Pro-Vice-Chancellor; Dr Lam Ching-choi, Chairman of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development; and Mr Wong Kam-sing, Former Secretary for the Environment and a member of CUHK\u2019s Committee on Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development.<\/p>\r\n
Professor Sham emphasised the University\u2019s dedication to sustainability research, she said: \u201cRecognising the critical importance of the environment and sustainability, we have designated it as one of our key research priorities. As a comprehensive research university, CUHK fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. We believe that solving complex global sustainability challenges requires breaking down traditional boundaries between academic disciplines. The redevelopment of the YES Pavilion exemplifies this vision. It has benefitted from combined expertise in architecture, mechanical and automation engineering, and construction robotics.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
In Professor Rawlins\u2019s welcome address, he highlighted the pavilion\u2019s key role in CUHK\u2019s sustainability vision, he said: \u201cThe YES Pavilion will serve not only as a recycling hub but also as a focal point for our community to engage in and foster positive behavioural changes within our CUHK community.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
\u201cThis pavilion is about developing a mindset that values sustainability in every aspect of life. It invites each of us to reflect on our consumption habits, to think critically about how we can reduce waste and to take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. By sharing and integrating these no-waste, low-carbon living principles and practices, we can collectively change the world,\u201d Professor Rawlins said.<\/p>\r\n
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Lam reinforced the YES Pavilion\u2019s practical role in CUHK\u2019s sustainability efforts. He said: \u201cClimate change is a challenge that the entire world faces today. It threatens the sustainable development of all countries and endangers our health, the living environment and future generations.\u00a0 To combat climate change, we need the support and participation of the community, including supporters of the YES Pavilion, who can be our partners in combating climate change, promoting sustainable development and achieving deep decarbonisation.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Describing the YES Pavilion\u2019s unique design and cutting-edge construction methods, Mr Wong said: \u201cI am pleased to see CUHK being a pioneer in campus sustainability in our region. Besides saying yes to carbon neutrality with its 2038 target, CUHK offers opportunities for scholars and students to create innovative demonstration projects like the YES Pavilion on campus. I hope this kind of groundbreaking initiative can inspire the younger generations to take action to tackle the urgent challenges of environmental sustainability through their scholastic affairs and daily life.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
For the details of the YES Pavilion, please refers to the appendix.<\/p>","show_as_achievement":false,"achievement_category":[],"show_as_clarification":false,"show_as_announcement":false,"photos":[{"photo":226196,"caption":"CUHK marked an important commitment in its sustainability journey with the opening ceremony of the YES Pavilion recently."},{"photo":226193,"caption":"The opening ceremony of the YES Pavilion."},{"photo":226194,"caption":"Professor Sham Mai-har, CUHK\u2019s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, delivers opening remarks at the opening ceremony of the YES Pavilion."},{"photo":226197,"caption":"Professor Nick Rawlins, CUHK\u2019s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, gives a welcome address at the opening ceremony of the YES Pavilion."},{"photo":226195,"caption":"Dr Lam Ching-choi, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the YES Pavilion."},{"photo":226198,"caption":"Mr Wong Kam-sing, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the YES Pavilion."}],"attachments":[{"text":"About CUHK\u2019s YES Pavilion","link":"","file":226213}],"video_source":"","video_file":"","add_play_button":false,"video_caption":"","show_migration":false,"original_id":0,"photos_original":null,"attachments_original":null},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/226199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/226199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":233255,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/226199\/revisions\/233255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=226199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=226199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}