The government has set out a series of environmental protection

policies to mitigate environmental pollution, support environmental

technology and green buildings, advocate energy saving and waste
reduction as well as strengthen environmental education to build a
sustainable future for Hong Kong.

With its dense population and urban environment, the city faces unique
challenges and opportunities when it comes to building a sustainable future. In
this blog article, we will explore various aspects of sustainability in Hong Kong
and highlight the efforts being made to promote eco-consciousness and
create a greener city.
Waste Management &
Sustainability in Hong Kong

Hong Kong grapples with a significant waste management problem, with a

staggering 4.17 million tonnes of solid waste being deposited in landfills each
year. This challenge is compounded by the city’s limited space, as one of the
most densely populated urban areas globally, making it incredibly difficult to
establish new landfill sites. The combination of limited land availability and the
city’s high consumption levels exacerbates the issue.
In response to this waste crisis, the Hong Kong government has recently
released the Waste Blueprint 2035, a comprehensive plan that outlines
specific measures to significantly increase recycling and materials recovery,
reduce waste going into landfills, and ultimately achieve a zero-landfill target.
Effectively addressing this challenge requires the collaboration of the
government, businesses, and the public, who must all embrace sustainable
practices and make investments in waste infrastructure and innovative
technologies. By doing so, Hong Kong can pave the way for a more
environmentally responsible and waste-conscious future.

The focus on waste management and sustainability in Hong Kong is also

reflected in the actions of its residents. According to our market research in
Hong Kong, approximately 17.9% of respondents reported actively
avoiding food waste in the past month, while 9.3% stated that they have
been segregating their trash. These findings underscore the significance of
waste management to residents and their growing commitment to
sustainability in Hong Kong.
Green Building and Urban
Planning in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is increasingly prioritizing green building and urban planning to
foster sustainability and combat carbon emissions. The property sector alone
contributes to 60% of the total carbon emissions in the city. With 85% of
buildings in Hong Kong being over a decade old, extensive retrofitting is
required to achieve the government’s target of carbon neutrality by 2050.

A promising opportunity for sustainable transformation lies in utilizing Hong

Kong’s untapped rooftop space. By adopting nature-based decarbonization
practices and exploring the use of natural insulation, these rooftops can be
converted into green areas for both insulation purposes and rooftop farming.
With approximately 6 million square meters of viable rooftop space available,
this innovative approach to rooftop usage holds immense potential for
maximizing resource utilization and enhancing sustainability in Hong Kong.
Moreover, the government has implemented initiatives such as the Building
Environmental Assessment Method (BEAM Plus), which promotes sustainable
design and construction practices. Guidelines like the Hong Kong Planning
Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) emphasize sustainable development
principles and the preservation of green spaces. Additionally, designated Eco-
Areas and public engagement ensure inclusive decision-making. These efforts
aim to promote sustainability in Hong Kong and reduce environmental impact,
enhance livability, and create a resilient and sustainable built environment in
the city.
Sustainable Transportation in
Hong Kong
Hong Kong faces the unique challenge of managing one of the world’s
densest and busiest road networks, accommodating over 787,000 licensed
vehicles across approximately 2,130 kilometres of roads. However, private car
ownership and motorization rates in the city remain relatively low due to the
high costs associated with imported vehicles, insurance, road tolls, and
parking fees. In 2020, the average number of registered private cars per 1,000
inhabitants was a mere 76.7, reflecting the influence of cost factors on car
ownership, a similar situation observed in Singapore. Read more on Why Car
Ownership in Singapore is an Extravagance.

To address the transportation needs of its population, Hong Kong boasts one
of the world’s best public transit systems, with public transport accounting for
around 90% of daily passenger movements. However, transportation still
contributes significantly to the city’s carbon emissions, responsible for an
estimated 20% of total emissions. Recognizing the importance of sustainable
transportation, the Hong Kong government has implemented several
initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and enhance air quality.

In December 2020, the Government’s Innovation and Technology Bureau

unveiled the “Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong 2.0,” an updated plan that
outlines various measures to promote an environmentally sustainable urban
transport system. These measures include making new towns more bicycle-
friendly, upgrading ferry services with green technology applications, and
initiating the electrification of public transport and commercial vehicles. The
government has allocated HK$80 million for a pilot program focused on
electric minibuses in 2023, with an additional HK$180 million earmarked for
trial runs of single-deck electric buses. These concerted efforts aim to curb
emissions and foster a greener and more eco-friendly transport system in
Hong Kong.
Despite the progress made in recent years, Hong Kong still has a long way to
go in terms of electric vehicle (EV) readiness. While the percentage of newly
registered private cars that are electric vehicles has risen substantially over
the past decade, from a mere 0.1% in 2010 to 12.4% in 2020, the overall
number of private EVs remains relatively low. At the end of last year, private
electric vehicles accounted for less than 3% of the total number of private
cars, amounting to approximately 18,100 vehicles. Hong Kong will need to
further accelerate its efforts to achieve widespread adoption of EVs and meet
its sustainability goals in the transportation sector.

Encouragingly, there is widespread enthusiasm among Hong Kongers for

electric vehicles, with an impressive 88% of the population believing that
EVs are the future of the automotive industry. This positive sentiment
provides a strong foundation for continued progress in EV adoption and the
pursuit of a greener transportation landscape in Hong Kong.
Sustainable Consumption and
Green Lifestyle in Hong Kong
Sustainable consumption and the adoption of green lifestyles are gaining
momentum in Hong Kong as the city strives to create a more environmentally
conscious society. The concept of sustainable consumption encompasses a
range of practices aimed at minimizing the use of natural resources, reducing
toxic materials, and limiting waste and pollution while improving the overall
quality of life. To achieve sustainable consumption goals, collaboration
between consumers, businesses, and the government is essential in making
Hong Kong a sustainable and livable city.

A recent 2021 study conducted by the Consumer Council (the Council) of

Hong Kong aimed to track consumers’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours
regarding sustainable consumption. The study found that when it comes to
their willingness to pay extra for products or services aligned with sustainable
consumption principles, an overwhelming majority (87%) of respondents
expressed their readiness to pay an additional 5% or more.

This finding aligns with the results of our study, where a majority (69.9%) of
Hong Kongers reported their willingness to pay a higher price to cover
the additional costs associated with sustainable and responsible
production of goods and services. Moreover, 19.2% of respondents in
that study indicated that they were very willing to pay more. However, the
Council’s study revealed that over one-third of respondents perceived the
availability of such products in the market as insufficient or completely lacking.
This highlights the need for increased availability and accessibility of
sustainable products in the market.
To Wrap Up
In conclusion, the journey towards sustainability in Hong Kong is evident
through its concerted efforts in waste management, green building, urban
planning, sustainable transportation, and responsible consumption. With the
support of its residents, government, and businesses, Hong Kong has the
potential to become a global leader in sustainability, showing that a bustling
metropolis can transition successfully to a greener and more sustainable
future.

Interested in exploring more detailed insights? We invite you to book a

demo with us today to explore Hong Kong’s sustainability journey more
deeply. You’ll get special access to our full report, packed with valuable data,
interactive charts, and expert analyses. Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the
forefront of knowledge in this evolving landscape.