Background
According to research by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, approximately one-third of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are related to food, primarily stemming from agriculture and land use. A low-carbon diet refers to food that has lower carbon emissions. Factors influencing the climate impact of food include the type of food, the extent of waste, processing methods, and transportation distances. Low-carbon diets encourage the selection of foods that produce fewer greenhouse gases during their production process. Typically, meat (especially red meat), dairy products, and farmed shrimp have higher carbon emissions, while food production processes that do not use chemical fertilizers and pesticides can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Diet is an indispensable part of our daily lives, and dietary habits are significant factors affecting an individual’s carbon footprint. The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups aims to promote a low-carbon diet culture within the education sector to reduce carbon footprints and enhance students’ understanding and practice of sustainable eating. By changing the daily habits of young people, we hope to make them aware that every action, including their food choices, can impact the overall sustainability of the environment.
Purpose of the Charter
- To promote a low-carbon diet culture in collaboration with the education sector.
- To encourage participating schools to reduce their carbon footprints.
- To educate students about the environmental impact of their dietary choices, fostering a sense of social responsibility and promoting the adoption of more sustainable lifestyles.
Content of the Low-Carbon Diet Campus Charter
| Commitment Item | Commitment Content and Suggested Actions | |
| 1 | Promote Low-Carbon Diet through Education | – Use posters, bulletin boards, campus TV, and social media to promote the concept of low-carbon diets.
– Organize lectures or workshops to educate students and staff on the environmental and health benefits of low-carbon diets. – Integrate knowledge of low-carbon diets into home economics classes, cooking classes, and related extracurricular activities. |
| 2 | Collaborate with School Catering and Lunchbox Suppliers | – Consider adding low-carbon meal options in the tender documents for lunch suppliers in the new school year, such as providing plant-based or vegetarian options and minimizing high-carbon meat options like beef and lamb.
– Encourage the use of local, fresh, organic, and seasonal ingredients in school cafeterias to reduce carbon emissions from food transportation. – Regularly assess the popularity of low-carbon menus and make adjustments based on feedback and participation from students and staff. – Maintain communication with cafeterias, catering suppliers, and lunchbox providers to ensure continuous improvement and collaboration. |
| 3 | Support Local Agriculture | – Organize student visits to local farms to understand the importance of using locally produced food in carbon reduction.
– Create an organic farming experience area on campus to allow students and staff to experience the farm-to-table process. – Consider arranging agriculture-related visits or educational activities, such as workshops or seasonal events. |
| 4 | Promote Youth Participation in Carbon Reduction Actions | – Actively participate in the Campus Decarbonisation Ambassador Programme by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups or various campaigns educating youth on carbon reduction. (https://sst.hkfyg.org.hk/en/campus-decarbonisation-ambassador-programme/) |
Programme Dates
- Year-round recruitment for kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools across Hong Kong.
Target Participants
- Kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools in Hong Kong.
How to Participate in the Charter
Please complete, sign, and submit:
- Application Form
- A copy of the menu for meals provided on campus from September 2024 to the present (including but not limited to: breakfast menus, lunch menus, afternoon tea menus, and lunchbox order forms for students and staff). This information will help the Secretariat understand the school’s efforts in promoting low-carbon diet education and the relevant actions taken, enabling us to provide effective recommendations and improvement plans while gaining insight into the overall situation of local schools.
Follow-Up Actions
- After signing the Low-Carbon Diet Campus Charter Commitment and submitting the required documents, schools will receive a certificate issued by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.
- Every year, between February and March, the Secretariat will request schools to submit a copy of the menus for meals provided on campus. This will help track the progress of promotional education and any changes to the menus offered within the school, aiding in the evaluation of the effectiveness of low-carbon diet promotion.
- To recognize the efforts and contributions of participating schools, the list of schools that have signed the charter will be published on the programme’s website, allowing the public to acknowledge and commend their work.
- Schools participating in the Low-Carbon Diet Campus Charter will also become part of the “Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups – Campus Decarbonisation Ambassador Programme.” The Federation will provide support to help schools educate students about sustainable development. Available services include:
- Organizing visits to various environmental organizations and local farms.
- Assisting schools in planning and hosting educational activities related to low-carbon diets and sustainable development, such as inviting experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs for lectures, workshops, and competitions.
- Establishing an organic farming experience area on campus for students and staff to participate in together.
Personal Data Collection Statement
- Purpose of Collection
The personal data and other relevant information provided in the application form are for the Secretariat’s use in processing the application. Applicants can decide whether to provide personal data and other relevant information in the application form and can request confidentiality for certain data from the Secretariat. However, if sufficient and accurate information is not provided, the application may not be processed. - Disclosure of Information
The Secretariat may archive the application form and may include the personal and other relevant data provided in the application form in the list of schools participating in the Low-Carbon Diet Campus Charter for public access. - Access to Personal Data
According to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486), you have the right to request access to and correction of your personal and other relevant data. Such requests should be made in writing to the Secretariat.