CityUHK-COP Transformational Leadership Programme: Pioneering Sustainable Change
The programme aims to empower participants with the means to create profound and lasting changes within their organisations and communities
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The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has introduced the CityUHK-COP Transformational Leadership Programme (TLP), an innovative initiative aimed at empowering leaders in the fields of education and business to facilitate sustainable development. This inaugural non-STEM programme ran from September 2024 to February 2025 and equipped participants with the knowledge, skills and networks necessary to promote significant change within their organisations and communities.
A key feature of the programme was the chance for participants to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 14-16 November 2024. Guided by Professor Ilex LAM Ka-keung, Professor of Practice in CLASS’s Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences (SS), participants interacted directly with global leaders, policymakers and experts in climate action during the conference.
Lam, a leader in various fields including finance and technology for social good, as well as impact investing, also co-leads the Lab for Impact Financing and Transformation at CityUHK with Professor Alfred Tat-Kei HO, Dean of CLASS. He highlighted that the participants attended workshops and sessions at COP29 to enhance their understanding of climate negotiations and build networks with professionals in sustainability and education.
The CityUHK-COP Transformational Leadership Programme provided participants with vital leadership and climate action skills, preparing them to implement sustainable solutions in their areas of influence. Throughout the course, participants delved into essential subjects such as expediting climate action through innovation, investing in green transitions, encouraging collaborative climate initiatives, and advancing sustainable education.
“Through a blend of in-class learning, the COP29 field trip, and a final project, participants cultivated crucial leadership skills and developed actionable strategies for driving local educational change,” Lam added.
The programme concluded with a showcase on 22 February at the LINK Sustainability Lab in Wang Tau Hom, where approximately 100 participants, colleagues and supporters came together to listen to TLP students present their insights and project results.
Excitement is growing for COP30, which is expected to offer more chances for collaboration and leadership in sustainability. The CityUHK-COP Transformational Leadership Programme is a guiding light for transformative leadership, empowering participants to create meaningful and enduring change within their organisations and communities.