Background

There is increasing global attention to climate change and the associated challenges of sustainable development. Asia is a region that is highly vulnerable—in which economic development, environmental degradation, and the growth of the higher education sector have been dramatic in recent decades. Public and private organisations around the world are seeking new ways to respond to these issues. Universities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) recognize that they have a responsibility to take up this challenge by contributing to solutions and strategies that will serve our community and the world.

Therefore, the Vice-Chancellors and Presidents of the eight publicly-funded universities in the HKSAR signed the Hong Kong Declaration in May 2010—a statement of principles which highlights the importance of sustainable development in light of climate change, and a commitment to provide appropriate responses to the ensuing challenges through the universities’ core missions of research, teaching and knowledge exchange. The Hong Kong Declaration also acknowledges the importance of universities to serve as models within the community and to work across communities to forge appropriate solutions.

With the signing of the Hong Kong Declaration, all the eight institutions joined hands to form the Hong Kong Sustainable Campus Consortium (HKSCC) in 2010.

• Encourage and promote the ongoing efforts of the member universities in their development and implementation of sustainability solutions through research and teaching, campus policies and operations, local and international outreach, and knowledge exchange;
• Provide a vehicle for mutual support and the exchange of good practices with member universities through appropriate programs, projects and activities, and the establishment of specialist groups and/or working parties, as necessary;
• Provide a platform for public discussion of these issues through regular meetings, conferences, ad hoc projects, electronic communications and other means; and
• Facilitate the sharing of information and resources as the member universities’ interests and activities with regard to sustainability expand in the future.

HKSCC Strategic Plan 2019–2027

One of the many positive outcomes of the HKSCC over the past eight years was the coalescing of a strong sustainability vision among the eight schools. While each school remained unique in character, the identity of the consortium took shape as a collective force for promoting sustainability within our larger higher education community. First by sharing ideas, approaches, and data, and later by collaborating on areas of interest, the consortium now has a solid foundation for promoting sustainability within the Hong Kong university sector. Over the next eight years, the consortium has the potential to move beyond a platform of sharing to a platform for developing more dynamic and active collaborative sustainability solutions. This 2019–2027 Strategic Plan sets forth goals, strategies, and tactics for achieving this vision.  

HKSCC Executive Committee

Member universities take turns to take up the HKSCC convenorship on a yearly basis, with secretarial support provided by the convening institution. In 2013, the HKSCC agreed to move the term of the convenorship from an academic year to a calendar year. In 2021, the consortium established the HKSCC Executive Committee, which is chaired by the convening institution. 

2021                 The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2020                 The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
2019                 The University of Hong Kong
2018                 Lingnan University
2017                 The Education University of Hong Kong
2016                 Hong Kong Baptist University
2015                 City University of Hong Kong
2014                 The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
2012–2013      The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2011–2012      The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
2010–2011      The University of Hong Kong

Members of the HKSCC Executive Committee in 2021:

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Convening Institution)

Mr Eric S. P. NG (Co-Chair) Vice-President (Administration) and University Secretary

Mrs Cecilia S. S. LAM (Co-Chair) Chief Sustainability Officer Director, Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Office

City University of Hong Kong

Professor Chak K. CHAN Dean of School of Energy and Environment  Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment

Ms Brenda LAI Director of Facilities Management

  Hong Kong Baptist University

Ms Carolin FONG Director of Estates

Dr Shan Shan CHUNG Senior Lecturer, Department of Biology

Lingnan University

Professor Mark A. MCGINLEY Professor of Teaching and Head of Science Unit Director of Core Curriculum and General Education

Mr Ian WOO              Comptroller

  The Education University of Hong Kong

Mr Wai Tat LAU  Director of Estates

Professor Eric Po Keung TSANG Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies and Student Learning), Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Professor Christopher CHAO Vice President (Research and Innovation) Chair Professor of Thermal and Environmental Engineering

Mr Lawrence LAU Director of Campus Facilities and Sustainability

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Mr Davis BOOKHART  Director, Sustainability/ Net-Zero Office Adjunct Assistant Professor, Division of Environment and Sustainability

Professor Benjamin STEUER             Assistant Professor, Division of Environment and                                      Sustainability

The University of Hong Kong

Mr K. L. TAM Director of Estates

Professor Kaimin SHIH             Professor, Department of Civil Engineering

Working groups established under the HKSCC Executive Committee:

- Working Group on Sustainability Performance

- Working Group on Sustainability Education

- Working Group on Joint University Campaigns