I can still remember the first time I stood at the edge of the Victoria Harbour. The incredible skyline shimmering above the water, the ferries humming past. That memory, from a family trip many years ago in 2013, made me fall in love with this amazing city – Hong Kong. This summer, I am returning not just as a visitor, but as a student at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, ready to embrace its energy again through a summer school experience.
As a first-year Accounting and Finance student at the University of Southampton, I have come to see how interconnected our actions are – how decisions about flights, food, and even phone chargers can shape the environment footprint of global education.
For this journey, I have booked a direct flight and calculated its carbon footprint – approximately 1.2 tonnes of CO2, which I will offset through a certified refillable filtered water bottle, bamboo toothbrush, and solid shampoo bars – lightweight, waste-free, and long-lasting. I have also chosen to use the digital boarding pass and course materials to avoid unnecessary printing.
But my commitment does not end at the airport. I have identified eco-friendly accommodation options that rely partially on renewable energy, and I plan to support local vegetarian and zero -waste eateries. I will avoid fast fashion, carry reusable cloth bags, and visit community-led recycling centres in the area. I am also exploring ways to participate in environmental education events during my stay.
This approach echoes several UN Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 13 – Climate Action, through flight-conscious decisions and carbon offsetting;
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption, by reducing single-user plastics and excess packaging;
SDG 4 – Quality Education, by making sustainability part of the learning journey.
Hong Kong holds a special place in my heart- but this time, I am not just returning for its beauty. I am returning with responsibility. To see the city not only as it is, but as it could be – cleaner, greener, and more sustainable, one student at a time.
