ASEAN youth showcase climate innovations at Hanoi exhibition
Young innovators from Vietnam and across ASEAN presented practical climate solutions in Hanoi, highlighting grassroots initiatives tackling plastic waste, renewable energy and sustainable livelihoods.
THE HANOI TIMES — As part of the Partnership for Action on Climate Change and Environment (P2ACE) project, the ASEAN Youth Innovation Exhibition took place at the Academy of Journalism and Communication on February 26, attracting some 150 delegates and visitors.
Delegates tour the exhibition. It forms part of a seminar reviewing P2ACE results and setting goals for the next phase. Photos: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times
The organizers of the seminar include the Hanoi College of Industrial Economics, ActionAid International in Vietnam, Aid for Social Protection Program Foundation Vietnam (AFV), the Academy of Journalism and Communication and the Hanoi Media Group.
P2ACE operates in Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines to strengthen youth engagement in environmental protection, disaster risk reduction and climate mitigation. The Asian Development Bank estimates Southeast Asia could lose up to 11% of GDP by 2100 without decisive climate action.
Climate adaptation and environmental protection remain central to sustainable development and socio-economic policymaking. Vietnam has issued national adaptation plans to boost resilience, protect livelihoods and improve preparedness for climate risks.
In 2021, Vietnam ranked eighth globally for plastic waste discharged into the ocean, releasing about 28,221 tons annually, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Against that backdrop, youth have emerged as a driving force for change.
The exhibition displayed a wide range of youth-led initiatives. Models included a plastic bag reduction campaign in Xuan Mai, Hanoi (2025); a “smart green house” recycling point in schools (2025); the “Green Sunday” youth movement to cut plastic waste (2023); a “Green Creativity” club producing handicrafts from recycled materials (2024); a solar-powered lighting and Wi-Fi system built from recycled materials (2025); and a self-made solar-powered rooftop irrigation system (2025).
Other projects featured an irrigation canal system supporting drought adaptation in the Central Highlands (2024); a cinnamon by-product collection cooperative supplying smokeless production enterprises (2025); and an eco-tourism development proposal linked to communication campaigns and a 360-degree virtual tour platform (2025).
Youth initiatives from Cambodia also featured, including projects in Phluk Commune, Sesan District, Stung Treng Province (2025), and Bor Keo High School, Borkeo District, Ratanakiri Province (2025).
