With only one month to the UN Climate Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, WWF today kicks off the "Climateers Ambassador Experiential Programme" – designed to equip Hong Kong youth with knowledge and tools to take action on climate change. HSBC is the lead partner of the programme.

Mr. Eric Bohm, CEO of WWF-Hong Kong, said at today's launching ceremony, "WWF will train nearly 200 Climateers Ambassadors, assisting them, and their friends and family to adopt a low carbon lifestyle by practising a minimum cut of 10% carbon emissions in their own lives. Young people will inherit and have to face the climate challenges in the rest of this century."

During the ceremony, the youth and the guests of honour will "demonstrate" the threat of sea level rise caused by climate change. Mr. Patrick Ho, Public Engagement Leader, Climate from WWF-Hong Kong pointed out, "Latest global studies have revised the IPCC projection of the sea level rise from 20-60 cm to 1-2 m by the end of the century, taking into account the melting ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland and thermal expansion of sea water. In Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, the combined effects of more frequent storm surge and heavier rainfall from climate change, threaten flooding of low-lying areas region, which could cause huge economic and social costs."

This one-year programme is the latest public engagement initiative of WWF's Climateers Programme. It will be conducted in two phases for JPC and HKFYG members in the first half of the year, and general citizens in the second half, aiming to give birth to about 300 ambassadors as Hong Kong's pioneer climate messengers and real action takers.

Ms. Teresa Au, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Asia Pacific Region, HSBC said, "According to the latest HSBC Climate Confidence Monitor, Hong Kong people have shown a significant increase in the concern level on climate change. They are also more optimistic and confident in what leaders and organisations are doing. There is also a growing commitment to take up personal responsibility to reduce climate change impact. HSBC is happy to work with WWF once again on the "Climateers Ambassador Experiential Programme" to help promote the proactive adoption of green life style choices within the Hong Kong community, especially amongst our younger generation, to enable Hong Kong to transit into a low-carbon economy. "

Mr. TANG King-shing, Commissioner of Police said, "I am glad that 80 JPC members have been selected to take part in the WWF Climateers Ambassador Programme, which provides a series of educational, experiential and publicity trainings to promote society's awareness of the importance of ‘Low Carbon Living'.

Dr. Rosanna WONG Yick-ming, Executive Director, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups said, "The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups is honoured to be in partnership with WWF Hong Kong in the Climateers Ambassador Experiential Programme. We very much hope that these 80 young Ambassadors will further the cause of protecting the earth and environment by raising awareness on climate change issues. Let their efforts and our support make a difference in how world leaders will tackle this issue in Denmark."

"If every Hong Kong citizen follows suit, aggregately we can reduce emissions by 2.81 million tonnes against Hong Kong's total annual emissions of 47 million tonnes. This impressive figure would contribute to global efforts to prevent a two degree rise in global temperature compared with the pre-industrial level, and prevent catastrophic natural disasters. We have already inched 0.7 degree, and are getting really close to the threshold," added Mr. Patrick Ho.