The Centre for Climate Change & Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University, in collaboration with Student Life of BRAC University, hosted a Net-Zero Festival on 5th February 2024 with DAEJAYON, an international environmental NGO registered in the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea and a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). DAEJAYON is working for the sustainable green future of the earth around the world.
The festival started with a seminar on the “Importance of Net-Zero Solutions,” with the goal of net zero to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. The esteemed presence of the Honourable Acting Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, Professor Syed Mahfuzul Aziz, elated the event. The Korean students of DAEJAYON presented the necessity of the net zero emission concept and how the students of BRAC University can make their campus emission-free. Professor Syed Mahfuzul Aziz shared his optimistic thoughts on enhancing the students’ knowledge of climate change. He incorporated the necessity of increasing the usage of solar power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity generation sector. He also emphasised setting up a proper waste management system in the university premises to reduce plastic usage for environmental conservation. The seminar ended with an interactive activity on recycling paper by preparing a bag.
Activities on net-zero initiatives and recycling waste were promoted on the university premises. Activities such as cinema poster upcycling bracelets, waste leaflet upcycling, handkerchief designing, scab, Korean calligraphy, learning how to eat with chopsticks, yunnori game, wearing hanbok, etc. engaged the students. The festival encouraged students to engage by setting up an environmental club which can work to reduce environmental destruction. Moreover, the students were offered a KOICA-funded opportunity to learn the Korean language.