Department of Geography Series of Activities

Climate change is a health emergency. Yet most responses remain in policy papers and academic circles. What’s missing are tangible, scalable, and cross-sector solutions that can save lives.

ACTION 2025 proved that young innovators can fill this gap

·200+ students from 14 leading Asian universities

·Supported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) – included in WMO Regional Association II Action Plan

·5 finalist teams showcased at COP30 (Brazil) – praised by ministerial leaders

·Innovations (examples): shared cooling vests for delivery riders, biomimetic water-from-air backpacks, AI mosquito surveillance for dengue outbreaks

ACTION 2026 goes further

We are launching two tracks and four themes aligned with real-world climate and health priorities – and offering finalists a pathway to present at COP31 in Türkiye.

1. COP31 Access (Türkiye)

Each finalist team receives one official UNFCCC accreditation to COP31. Present your solution to senior UN officials and global ministers.

2. Hong Kong Roadshow

The 15 selected teams will participate in a pitch roadshow in Hong Kong, and eligible teams will have the opportunity to receive travel support. Selected outstanding teamsmay also have the opportunity to receive equity investment from partnering venture capital and investment institutions (further details to be confirmed).

3. Expert Training & Mentorship

All registered teams receive climate-health workshops and entrepreneurship training. The top 50 teams selected after the first-round concept submission will receive professional mentorship from distinguished professors, industrial leaders and UN officials.

4. Global Recognition

All teams that advance to the top 50 will receive a certificate with logos of all organizing institutions. (In ACTION 2025, all teams nominated by universities received certificates included logos from WMO and WHO)

Note: An invitation to co-organize this year’s hackathon has again been extended to WMO and WHO, with confirmation anticipated in the first half of 2026. Additional participation benefits will be announced in due course.

 Teams choose one track. Solutions can be early‑stage ideas (Seed Track) or in the R&D or pilot‑testing phase (Startup Track). Both tracks compete together throughout the entire competition – from the initial screening through the semi‑finals to the finals – and teams from both tracks will advance at each stage. The distinction between tracks exists solely to enable tailored mentorship and evaluation.

Theme 1. AI-Empowered Solutions for Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases

Use AI to predict, detect, and respond to climate-driven infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., dengue, malaria, cholera). Focus on vulnerable populations. Relevant solutions include but are not limited to:

· AI‑driven early warning systems for heatwaves, disease outbreaks, and other climate‑related health risks

· Intelligent surveillance and prediction platforms for climate‑sensitive infectious diseases (e.g., dengue, malaria)

· AI‑powered personalized health alerts and digital tools for vulnerable groups

· Smart vector control systems (e.g., mosquito monitoring and drone‑based interventions)

· Low‑cost, AI‑assisted rapid diagnostics for under‑resourced settings

Teams in this theme will receive dedicated AI mentorship. Teams in other themes may also use AI but are not guaranteed specialized AI mentorship.

Theme 2. Renewable Energy for Health Resilience

Clean energy innovations that protect health, improve infrastructure resilience, and support sustainable development. Relevant directions include but are not limited to:

· Renewable-powered solutions for cold storage, water purification, and sanitation in underserved or disaster-affected areas

· Climate-resilient microgrids and distributed energy systems for hospitals, clinics, schools, and vulnerable communities

· Sustainable fuel solutions and commercialization models for cleaner transport and healthier environments

· AI-enabled new energy solutions for energy management, forecasting, and emergency response

· Circular economy and recycling solutions for new energy equipment to reduce waste and environmental health risks

Theme 3. Heat Health Protection

New technologies or materials for cooling vulnerable people during heatwaves – from personal wearables to community-level solutions. Relevant directions include but are not limited to:

· New technologies or materials for protecting the health of vulnerable groups during heatwaves (such as the elderly, outdoor workers, women, children, persons with disabilities, specific occupational groups, and marginalized communities)

· New temperature regulation technologies or materials for indoor and outdoor environments

Theme 4. Water-Related Technologies for Climate & Health Adaptation

Safe drinking water, emergency purification, mobile sanitation, and early warning systems for flood and drought-affected communities. Relevant solutions include but are not limited to:

· Safe drinking water and emergency purification systems for flood‑prone and drought‑affected areas

· Mobile sanitation facilities (e.g., floating toilets) and personal hygiene technologies for displacement scenarios

· Low‑cost water quality monitoring and early warning systems for vulnerable communities

· Rainwater harvesting, storage and efficient water reuse under drought conditions

· Nature‑based solutions for water security that simultaneously improve health outcomes