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The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
HKQAA International Sustainability Forum • Hong Kong 2025: Support the Government's Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure, Foster cross-border Cooperation and Green Development
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 30 May 2025 - Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) held the HKQAA International Sustainability Forum • Hong Kong 2025 at the Convention Hall of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Mr Tse Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the Government of HKSAR; Mr Christopher Hui, GBS, JP, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Government of HKSAR; Dr Chen Gang, Acting SG of BRI International Green Development Coalition; and Mr Gao Guosheng, Member of the Party Leadership Group of the Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation, Secretary of the Party Committee and Secretary General of the Guangdong Intellectual Property Administration are the officiating guest and special guest. In addition, Dr Bernard Chan, JP, Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of the HKSAR, officiated the Thematic Forum – Pathways to the Sustainable Development of the Silver Economy; and Mr Wei Dunsheng, Deputy Mayor of Nanping Municipal People's Government, Fujian Province, officiated the Thematic Forum – Shaping a Sustainable and Livable City: Green Industry, Shared by the World. Linked policymakers and business leaders to explore green opportunities and low-carbon transition of the BRI Sustainable development and low-carbon transition have become a global topic of concern, receiving significant attention from both the business and financial sectors. The Forum invited local and overseas political and business leaders, experts and academics to share their experiences and insights. In the Morning Forum – Seizing Green Finance Opportunities in the Low-Carbon Transition of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area, the special guest speakers included Dr Zhang Jianyu, Chief Development Officer of BRI International Green Development Coalition; Mr Riyadi Suparno, Executive Director of Tenggara Strategics (speaker from Indonesia); Mr Ronnie Tham, Partner at Treo Capital (speaker from Malaysia); and Mr Leo Horn-Phathanothai, Founder and CEO, Just Transitions Incubator (JUTI) (speaker from Thailand). 'We took the lead in launching the Green Finance Certification Scheme in 2018 to help enable Hong Kong to leverage its strengths as a Belt and Road investment and financing platform to attract international capital and boost Belt and Road development. Moreover, we have forged a cooperative relationship with BRI International Green Development Coalition, which is jointly initiated by Ministry of Ecology and Environment of our country and international organisations. We aim to promote exchanges and mutual recognition of carbon standards with BRI countries, strengthen capacity-building training, and foster closer green cooperation,' said Ir C. S. Ho, Chairman of the HKQAA. In the Afternoon Forum – Implementing Sustainable Development and Climate Financial Disclosure, the special guest speakers included Representative of Beijing Municipal Finance Bureau; Ms Janey Lai, Chief Executive Officer, The Accounting and Financial Reporting Council; Mr Leng Bing, Member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB); Prof Liu Yifang, Director, Sustainable Standards Research Center, Central University of Finance and Economics, Professor and PhD Supervisor of School of Economics. Climate Impact GPS Campaign: supporting the Government's roadmap on climate disclosure HKQAA announced on the event that it took the lead in launching the HKQAA Climate Impact GPS Campaign earlier this year in support of the sustainability disclosure policies of our country and the HKSAR Government. This initiative aims to engage organisations, including the banking sector and the listed companies, in building capacity to address climate-related risks and opportunities so as to well prepare required climate-related financial disclosures by offering industry-based technical guidance, workshops and software tools, including the scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions calculation tool. The Campaign is open to organisations at no cost, and nearly 90 participating organisations that joined the Pilot Program were recognised on a presentation ceremony in the Afternoon Session. Participating organisations of the Pilot Program gain prior access to preview relevant industry-based technical guidance, as well as participate in workshops and use the tools. In terms of promoting professional talent development, HKQAA is honoured to be invited to cooperate with the Beijing Municipal Finance Bureau on a sustainability information disclosure pilot and training project, helping the country steadily advance the development of its sustainability disclosure standards system. Moreover, a memorandum of understanding was signed at the Forum by Mr P C Chan, Chief Executive Officer of HKQAA, and Prof Karen Cheung, Director of Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development. This memorandum aims to jointly promote the establishment and optimisation of sustainable development talent standards in Hong Kong, enhance talent cultivation and the upgrading of sustainable development skills, effectively drive industry-wide sustainable development, and foster Hong Kong and the entire Greater Bay Area as an international centre for sustainable development talent. ''I would like to take this opportunity to thank the HKQAA for its contributions to the development of green finance in Hong Kong. The HKQAA has been participating in the development of international standards for sustainable finance and launched the Green and Sustainable Finance Certification Scheme (formerly called Green Finance Certification Scheme) in 2018. I am delighted to know that the HKQAA also supports the development of a roadmap for sustainability disclosure in our country by contributing to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Finance and Economy's pilot project for sustainability disclosure and talent development. At home, it has supported Hong Kong's own disclosure roadmap by establishing industry-specific climate risk tools to help local businesses prepare for future reporting requirements,' said Mr Christopher Hui, GBS, JP, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, in his remarks via video. Introducing the Effectiveness and Potential Application of Structural Data Disclosure Model for Sustainability Disclosure HKQAA introduced a brand-new structural data disclosure model in 2024, named the 'Nexus Data Model'. With the meaning of nexus, the objective of the data model is to link material sustainability issues and to connect all stakeholders together. This model is already applied to HKQAA ESG Connect Program, Hong Kong Registration and will be used for other engagement, disclosure or assessment services in the future application. As the evaluation project leader of this data disclosure model, Professor Zhang Lin, School of Energy and Environment of the City University of Hong Kong, shared on the Afternoon Forum the team's finding based on data obtained from the HKQAA ESG Connect Program. The results confirmed that the data model effectively encourages businesses to adopt ESG initiatives and disclose progress on ESG, Carbon Action, Climate Response, and CBAM Ready, while strengthening stakeholder connections. Ultimately, it fosters a sustainable ESG Ecosystem, driving long-term ESG development. Establishing strategic partnership to promote high-quality development in the GBA On the Forum, under the witness of Mr P C Chan, Chief Executive Officer of HKQAA, and Mr Gao Guosheng, Member of the Party Leadership Group of the Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation, Secretary of the Party Committee and Secretary General of the Guangdong Intellectual Property Administration, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Mr K T Ting, HKQAA's Chief Operating Officer, and Mr Lu Yongchi, Chief Operation Officer of The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Certification Promotion Centre. This memorandum aims to deepen cooperation in the field of testing and certification, advance the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promote the alignment of regulatory mechanisms between the mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao regions, and support the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area. Co-hosting green industry themed forum with the People's Government of Nanping Nanping is endeavouring to become the country's model city of green development, flourishing through its green industries. Co-hosted by HKQAA and the People's Government of Nanping, Fujian Province, Thematic Forum – Shaping a Sustainable and Livable City: Green Industry, Shared by the World focused on topics of carbon measurement, value of ecological products, and the bamboo industry. Mr Wei Dunsheng, Deputy Mayor of Nanping Municipal People's Government, Fujian Province, was the officiating guest of the Thematic Forum. Launched a silver-friendly registration scheme to support the Government's silver economy policy The presentation ceremony of the Hong Kong Green and Sustainability Contribution Awards 2025 was held on the event. The Awards aim to encourage companies to incorporate sustainable practices into their management decisions and daily operations, and recognise their efforts and contributions. Ｏrganisations and venues from Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas were honoured. This year, 'Promote High-Quality Elderly Living', 'Promote Silver-friendly Community' and 'Promote Halai-friendly Community' categories were newly added to the Awards. The awards of 'Promote High-Quality Elderly Living' and 'Promote Silver-friendly Community' were presented by Dr Bernard Chan, Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of the HKSAR, who also officiated the Thematic Forum – Pathways to the Sustainable Development of the Silver Economy. HKQAA has been launching various certification and registration schemes in line with government policy directions to continuously enhance the professionalism and recognition of the industry. To support the Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, HKQAA has introduced the HKQAA Hong Kong Registration – Silver-friendly Series. This series aims to guide enterprises in tapping into the silver market through three main aspects – venues, products and services, while also creating a better living environment for the elderly. HKQAA will continue to promote the registration scheme, encouraging more enterprises to participate and jointly respond to the government's policy of promoting the silver economy. 'I would like to thank the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency for taking the lead in launching the 'Hong Kong Registration – Silver-Friendly Series' in support of the Government's efforts to promote the silver economy. This registration scheme sets out a set of criteria from the perspective of silver consumers, guiding enterprises to enhance their venues, products, and services. I also call on more enterprises to actively take part in the scheme by integrating silver-friendly elements into their daily operations and creating a consumption environment that better caters to the needs and preferences of the silver generation, thereby boosting 'silver consumption' and driving economic growth,' said Dr Bernard Chan, JP, Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, in his remarks. Organisation's Sharing on Sustainability Strategies JEC has been a long-standing ally in Hong Kong's sustainability efforts, aligning with the 2050 Net-Zero mission by providing innovative sustainability solutions to both public and private sectors for decades. JEC's AI digital solution and environmental engineering projects deliver real ESG impact, transforming how businesses and cities thrive sustainably. Regarding JEC's innovations are shaping a more sustainable Hong Kong, JEC's vision is to pioneer even smarter and more sustainable engineering innovations, making them accessible across Hong Kong and Asia. JEC's mission contributes to Hong Kong's 2050 Net-Zero future. JEC looks forward to connecting with all sectors to shape a greener tomorrow. First, JEDI, JEC's AI digital solution, optimizes energy and detects faults in buildings. Its algorithms analyze weather forecasts, past energy consumption, equipment pattern and utility bills to build predictive models, ensuring precise energy management. In 2024, JEDI saved over 8 million kilowatt-hJEC'ss and cut over 4 million kilograms of CO2 across grade A commercial buildings, campuses, and transport hubs in APAC. By analysing real-time data, like chiller performance, it slashes energy costs by 8-26%. For instance, in a commercial tower, JEDI's fault detection reduced downtime, boosting efficiency and meeting BEAM Plus standards. Next, through working with the government, JEC's environmental engineering projects strengthen Hong Kong's sustainability. The Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant, launched in 2023, uses reverse osmosis to supply ultimately increase to 135,000 million litres, equivalent to around 5% of Hong Kong's potable water demand. Its solar panels generate renewable energy to account for 16% of total energy usage, reducing grid dependence by 30% and earning BEAM Plus Platinum certification. The Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works employs advanced treatment technology, enhancing water quality and earning a 2021 HKIBIM Bronze. At O·PARK2, JEC's waste-to-energy facility handles food waste daily through anaerobic digestion to create biogas for electricity production. This process contributes to exporting significant amounts of energy annually, powering local households, and effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions. JEC's Pilot Biochar Production Plant in EcoPark, Tuen Mun, processes tonnes of woody waste annually to produce tonnes of biochar, reducing emissions and serving as a soil conditioner and pollutant filter.
RTHK
7 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
'Recycling surged even after waste scheme was shelved'
'Recycling surged even after waste scheme was shelved' Tse Chin-wan said there's been unprecedented changes in behaviour towards recycling, despite the shelving of the waste charging scheme last year. Photo: RTHK Environment chief Tse Chin-wan on Wednesday said the public have become more aware of the importance of recycling since the shelving of a planned "pay-as-you-throw" system last year. On RTHK's Overview Policy programme, the minister said while many people agreed the policy should not be introduced at that time, the "controversy and discussions" did lead to big changes in behaviour. "We see that our recyclables in our community recycling network doubled within a short period of time, and the food waste collected even jumped eight-fold," he said. "We also see that this trend is still continuing." Tse added that the amount of waste dumped in landfills has dropped 7.5 percent since John Lee became chief executive. The secretary also said there has been rapid growth in the number of electric vehicles in Hong Kong, with the current 110,000 cars almost eight times the amount five years ago. He said around four in five new cars purchased in Hong Kong are now electric.
Korea Herald
16-05-2025
- Science
- Korea Herald
i2Cool's Radiative Cooling Technology to Drive Global Sustainability in UN-Backed FIRST Programme
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: Among these, passive radiative cooling technology developed and implemented by i2Cool distinguishes itself through its mature product platform and extensive global deployment experience to provide critical support in high-temperature and resource-scarce areas. Since its founding, i2Cool has been dedicated to advancing " green cooling + social benefit" through its "Cool Down for a Better Summer" initiative. This initiative has already reached over 7,000 square meters in climate-vulnerable communities worldwide. In total, i2Cool's innovative cooling technology has been implemented across more than 380,000 square meters in nearly 30 countries and regions, resulting in over 200 successful projects. "i2Cool is committed to driving sustainable development through innovative technology. Over the next decade, we will continue validating our solutions in diverse climates and applications to localize radiative cooling technology. Our goal is to build an affordable, scalable, and sustainable cooling paradigm. We look forward to working with global partners to empower communities through innovation and inclusive partnerships, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future," said Prof. Martin Zhu, CEO of i2Cool. About i2Cool i2Cool is a green and energy-efficient technology pioneer specializing in passive radiative cooling. Established by leading professors and young scientists from the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, i2Cool transforms cutting-edge research, featured in top journals such as Science, into innovative commercial solutions. The company's core products are electricity-free cooling coatings and window films, along with a diverse range of other products such as textiles, membranes, automotive solutions, and ceramics. For more information about i2Cool, please visit their official website at
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
i2Cool's Radiative Cooling Technology to Drive Global Sustainability in UN-Backed FIRST Programme
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: Passive Radiative Cooling Coatings Using Local Waste Materials for Lowering Temperatures of Houses Affordable Printable Solar Films for Generating Electricity in Rural Areas Biomass Waste-to-Energy Conversion for Circular Economy Human-powered Sanitation System for Generating Potable Water Among these, passive radiative cooling technology developed and implemented by i2Cool distinguishes itself through its mature product platform and extensive global deployment experience to provide critical support in high-temperature and resource-scarce areas. Since its founding, i2Cool has been dedicated to advancing "green cooling + social benefit" through its "Cool Down for a Better Summer" initiative. This initiative has already reached over 7,000 square meters in climate-vulnerable communities worldwide. In total, i2Cool's innovative cooling technology has been implemented across more than 380,000 square meters in nearly 30 countries and regions, resulting in over 200 successful projects. "i2Cool is committed to driving sustainable development through innovative technology. Over the next decade, we will continue validating our solutions in diverse climates and applications to localize radiative cooling technology. Our goal is to build an affordable, scalable, and sustainable cooling paradigm. We look forward to working with global partners to empower communities through innovation and inclusive partnerships, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future," said Prof. Martin Zhu, CEO of i2Cool. About i2Cool i2Cool is a green and energy-efficient technology pioneer specializing in passive radiative cooling. Established by leading professors and young scientists from the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, i2Cool transforms cutting-edge research, featured in top journals such as Science, into innovative commercial solutions. The company's core products are electricity-free cooling coatings and window films, along with a diverse range of other products such as textiles, membranes, automotive solutions, and ceramics. For more information about i2Cool, please visit their official website at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE i2Cool Limited Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
South China Morning Post
28-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
After a year's delay, Hong Kong is ready to roll out waste charging
It's been a year since Hong Kong shelved its plan to charge households for the waste they produce. Are we any closer to introducing waste charging? Advertisement Earlier this month, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said the government has been assessing the situation and would report its findings soon to the Legislative Council's Panel on Environmental Affairs. He noted that many conditions had to be in place before the scheme could be rolled out. We believe the time is right. Over the past year, the government has enhanced its support for recycling and public education. This is a key improvement, given that low recycling rates and low public awareness were the main reasons for the botched roll-out last year. Tse highlighted significant progress made, including an 80 per cent increase in visits to the Green@Community recycling network and a nearly 60 per cent rise in recyclables collected in 2024. The government has installed 1,200 smart collection bins for food waste in housing estates across the city, with the aim of increasing the number to 1,600 this year. Meanwhile, the daily per capita municipal solid waste disposal rate dropped from 1.44kg in 2023 to 1.4kg in 2024. Besides, waste charging would benefit the economy, as South Korea's experience shows. South Korea introduced waste charging in 1995. By 2004, it saw a 24 per cent reduction in waste volume and gained an estimated 8 trillion won (US$5.6 billion) in economic benefits, in terms of avoided waste treatment costs and the market value of increased recycling products, according to a case study by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Advertisement Waste charging could yield similar benefits for Hong Kong. Our Hong Kong Foundation researcher Peter Lam Kung-shing has found that every tonne in waste reduction generates a net benefit of HK$955.50, while every tonne of waste recycling yields HK$125.60. The estimated net benefit of waste charging is HK$637.3 million per year.
