HKU and KAIST Symposium Advances Climate Action and Resilience Solutions

Sep 25, 2025
2 min read

20 AUG 2025

Group portrait of 11 people at a conference table under a Faculty of Social Sciences wall sign, smiling in a wood-paneled room

On August 20, 2025, the Department of Geography and the Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality (ICCN) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) hosted a transformative symposium titled "Integrative Solutions and Transformative Pathways" at the Social Sciences Chamber, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus. The event convened distinguished academics and experts to tackle urgent climate challenges through innovative research and collaborative dialogue. With two key sessions focused on intelligence for climate action and resilience, the symposium addressed critical topics ranging from carbon neutrality to urban ecosystems, featuring contributions from professors at HKU, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and the Environmental Defense Fund.

The morning session, moderated by Professor Yuyu Zhou of HKU, centered on "Intelligence for Climate Action: Assessing Impact, Mitigation, and Adaptation." Speakers provided insights into energy technology pathways, global access to essential services, climate health, environmental justice, and low-carbon transitions in China. The afternoon session, led by Professor Jiyong Eom of KAIST, explored "Intelligence for Resilience: Integrating Human, Energy, and Ecological Systems," delving into energy efficiency, urban energy demand, mangrove ecosystems, and AI-driven urban analytics. Both sessions concluded with vibrant open floor discussions, fostering innovative exchanges and ideas among participants.

A major highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between HKU’s ICCN and KAIST’s Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainable Development. This landmark partnership aims to address the global climate crisis by combining expertise in cutting-edge research and education to enhance climate resilience, positioning Hong Kong and South Korea as leaders in Asian climate initiatives. In collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund, the partnership will advance joint research in energy and earth systems modeling, climate and public health, and climate economics and policy analysis. The symposium concluded with a discussion on building a collaborative platform for climate and environmental research across Asia, followed by closing remarks, reinforcing HKU’s leadership in interdisciplinary climate solutions.

Two men shake hands at a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony for HKU and KAIST, with date and Hong Kong backdrop.

Two men sign documents at a podium during a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony in Hong Kong, with a university backdrop.

Group of adults seated in a modern lecture room with laptops and RESERVED signs, facing the camera under bright windows.

Conference audience in a modern lecture hall watches a presentation on Integrative Solutions and Transformative Pathways.

Six conference attendees in a meeting room chat and smile before a poster for Conference on Intelligence for Sustainable Futures.

Man in glasses speaks at a podium with a university crest, gesturing beside a microphone in a lecture room.

Man speaking at a podium during a lecture, with audience in foreground and slide images on a screen beside him.

Man at podium speaks into mic beside slide reading Implications, Demand and Sustainable Futures in a lecture room.

Smiling woman at a podium listens as a man in a suit speaks in a wood-paneled lecture room.

Man speaking at a podium with a microphone in a lecture room, wearing glasses and lanyard, with a university crest on the front.

Woman in glasses speaks at a university podium with mic and laptop, in front of a wood-paneled wall and crest.

Man speaking at a podium during a conference, with a projected slide showing August 20, 2025, 09:15–17:30, and QR code

Woman in glasses speaks at a podium with a university crest, holding a remote, in a wood-paneled lecture room.

Man speaking at a podium in a bright conference room while three seated attendees listen; one badge reads Yuyu Zhou.

Man speaking at a podium with a microphone in a bright conference room, wearing a lanyard and looking focused.

Man in blue polo speaks at a podium in a bright conference room; a slide on the left shows partial text, including adaptation.

Man with glasses speaks at a podium in a bright conference room, beside a projected slide with partial text.

Woman speaks at a podium in a bright conference room, gesturing beside a microphone, with a university crest on the lectern.

Two smiling men stand at a conference podium with microphones in a bright meeting room with large windows.

Conference poster for HKU sustainable futures event, with AI robot and green cityscape; titles, schedule, QR code, and session details.

HKU and KAIST Symposium Advances Climate Action and Resilience Solutions

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