HONG KONG, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- i2Cool is honored to participate in the Fostering Innovation for Resilience and Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) Programme, a global initiative led by City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and officially endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Selected as one of only 30 projects worldwide recognized under the United Nations International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (2024–2033), this project aims to advance sustainability through innovation and collaboration.
The FIRST Programme has emerged in response to urgent global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and the need for clean energy transitions. With a strong focus on innovation and international collaboration, the programme aims to accelerate progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Led by CityUHK in collaboration with UNESCO, i2Cool, and a diverse network of international partners, the initiative represents a concerted global effort to build a sustainable future through science, technology, and cooperative action.
Mr. Tse Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR said "With the endorsement of the UNESCO, the FIRST Programme sets a powerful example of how collaboration and innovation can create a more sustainable future for all. I am pleased to support this initiative and look forward to seeing its positive impact on our community and beyond."
Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK, said, "I am delighted that CityUHK will lead this crucial initiative to address sustainability challenges by developing affordable innovations in collaboration with our global partners. The Programme reflects CityUHK's commitment to Innovating into the Future and offering tangible solutions to global challenges."
Ir Prof. Edwin Tso Chi-yan, co-founder of i2Cool and Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach) at CityUHK's School of Energy and Environment (SEE) , has been appointed as the FIRST Programme Director. Commenting on the launch, Prof. Tso stated, "We will kick off the first phase of the FIRST Programme in June 2025, targeting pilot regions with hot climates and limited access to reliable electricity."
Core Innovations of the Project:
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Passive Radiative Cooling Coatings Using Local Waste Materials for Lowering Temperatures of Houses
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Affordable Printable Solar Films for Generating Electricity in Rural Areas
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Biomass Waste-to-Energy Conversion for Circular Economy
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Human-powered Sanitation System for Generating Potable Water