Hong Kong, 11 February 2026 – Six youth from Save the Children Hong Kong’s Generation Hope programme travelled to Bangkok, Thailand, to take part in Bangkok Climate Action Week. They engaged with youth leaders, decision-makers and the public from across the region, sharing climate action solutions designed by Hong Kong youth from a local perspective. These initiatives, rooted in everyday life, demonstrate Hong Kong youth’s active involvement and contribution to global climate issues.

Among them, Youth Climate Ambassadors Nevin, Chloe and Angel, together with their team, presented a solution that promotes planting natural mosquito-repellent species such as lemongrass in communities and hosting workshops to demonstrate how to make natural mosquito-repellent essential oils. This approach helps the public understand the link between global warming, mosquito-borne diseases and public health. The idea was well received by Southeast Asian youth and stakeholders, sparking cross-regional knowledge exchange.

From Everyday Observations to Climate Awareness

Since 2022, Save the Children has launched the Generation Hope initiative in 41 countries, encouraging young people to propose and implement creative solutions to advance climate justice. The first activity of this edition’s programme attracted 500 students to watch the documentary Four Trails, which deeply moved Nevin:

“I never realised Hong Kong’s natural landscapes were so precious. If we ignore climate change, these wonders could be lost.”

Nevin shared that climate issues once felt distant, but repeated cancellations of school activities due to Typhoon Signal No. 8 and No. 10 made him realise the tangible impact of climate change on daily life:

“It’s not just a big topic in the news – it affects our everyday lives.”

Chloe added that increasingly erratic weather patterns have heightened her concern about extreme climate events globally:

“Some months shouldn’t be this hot, and then suddenly there’s torrential rain. In Hong Kong, it may just be inconvenient, but elsewhere it could mean disasters.”

These reflections led them to believe that inspiring public interest in climate issues doesn’t always require starting with melting glaciers or other large-scale phenomena – small, relatable observations can also spark awareness.

Turning Insight into Action: A Community-Based Solution

Months of experiential learning and workshops helped participants transform ideas into practical solutions. The selected youth representatives then joined Bangkok Climate Action Week to exchange strategies with peers from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and beyond.

Nevin explained:

“When Asia faced a chikungunya outbreak, we realised the strong link between global warming, mosquito control and public health. Using this as an entry point could attract more attention to climate change.”

Their proposal involved planting mosquito-repellent plants, such as lemongrass, in the community and running workshops to teach the public how to make natural mosquito-repellent oils. These oils will also be distributed to elderly residents in the neighbourhood, helping people understand and practise environmentally friendly habits through simple actions in daily life. The proposal stood out and earned them the title of Youth Climate Ambassadors. They represented Hong Kong at the international event, engaging with youth leaders, decision-makers and stakeholders across Southeast Asia.

Connecting Hong Kong Youth to the World

Stepping onto an international advocacy platform broadened their horizons. At the event’s meetings and workshops, they exchanged ideas with regional youth leaders and policymakers. Chloe reflected:

“Locals thought our proposal was feasible, which showed me how important it is to express and implement our ideas.”

Nevin noted:

“We realised our understanding wasn’t as broad as we thought. This concept may seem innovative in Hong Kong, but in Thailand it’s already well established.”

Such exchanges allowed them to learn from other countries’ experiences and adapt ideas to Hong Kong’s context.

Angel, a former Youth Climate Ambassador, shared:

“I’ve always been very interested in environmental issues and felt that this conference could help me learn more. It also allowed me to hear examples from other countries, understand what they are doing and planning for the future, and think about whether these practices could be applied in Hong Kong.”

After entering university to study environmental-related subjects, Angel not only encouraged her schoolmate Chloe to join the programme, but this edition returned as a mentor and judge, leading the new Youth Climate Ambassadors onto the international stage:

“This time I played the role of an elder sister, and the sense of responsibility was even greater. I realised that many young people lack background knowledge on climate change. They need exposure and guidance to understand and take action.”

This experience made her deeply aware that change does not happen overnight. It requires inspiring others so that more people can understand and participate in driving change.

From Ideas to Implementation: Creating the Future Through Action

Reflecting on the programme, Nevin believes it is important to put what they have learned into practice:

“This is not just a competition. Generation Hope is completely different. After we proposed our ideas, we didn’t just stop at writing reports or competing for rankings – we actually went to Thailand to exchange views with young people and even officials from different places. We didn’t just learn something; we were able to bring Hong Kong’s situation and our unique ideas to the international stage. This kind of exchange made me feel that I truly contributed.”

Angel added:

“The Save the Children Hong Kong team worked with us to discuss practicalities like budgets and venues, offering constructive advice. Seeing our project showcased – and possibly implemented – gave me a real sense of achievement, because this is our project.”

Kalina Tsang, CEO of Save the Children Hong Kong, was also delighted to see the Youth Climate Ambassadors benefit from the experience:

“Generation Hope is not just about raising environmental awareness. It’s about giving young people a voice, helping them be heard, and turning ideas into action – building confidence and enhancing skills in the process. We are not just giving them a stage; we are dedicated to empowering them to know: your voice can change the world, your actions can create the future. Every young person is a vital force for climate justice and social change.”