Promoting sustainability, championing a green environment and empowering change are fundamental to the academic mission at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) aimed at meeting the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A new CityUHK report outlines our multi-prolonged approach to addressing these SDGs, thereby creating a self-sustaining campus and positively impacting society more broadly.

The CityUHK Sustainability Report focuses on how our teaching and learning strategies, global research collaborations, and ongoing community engagement have established a network of linkages between higher education, industry, and government interests in Hong Kong and beyond to achieve the SDGs.

Over the years, we have integrated sustainability into all aspects of our education, exploring sustainability challenges through research, minimising waste and promoting resource conservation in our campus operations.

With the theme “Campus Growth & Sustainability” embedded in our latest 5-year Strategic Plan, we continue to roll out effective sustainability strategies under the leadership of Professor Freddy Boey, President at CityUHK.

For example, referring to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), CityUHK was the first university in Hong Kong to establish a School of Energy and Environment and set up the Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy to lead groundbreaking research and practice.

Between 2019 and 2023, more than 2,900 research papers related to affordable and clean energy were published. Additionally, our collaboration with CLPe will see the installation of nearly 2,000 high-efficiency bifacial solar panels on the rooftop space of 30 campus buildings, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 450 tonnes a year.

Significant contributions have been made to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation (SDG 9). Since its launch in March 2021, our flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme, HK Tech 300, has provided entrepreneurship training programmes to more than 1,700 students, staff, alumni and other participants. More than 710 project teams have been awarded HK$100,000 each in seed funding, and over 140 start-ups have been awarded HK$1 million each in angel funding.

Moreover, established this January, our CityUHK Academy of Innovation will nurture future innovation leaders and entrepreneurs through programmes targeting undergraduate, master’s and PhD students.

Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls (SDG 5) is also at the forefront of CityUHK operations. We remain committed to eradicating gender bias, breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity by enhancing the status of female staff. About 38% of CityUHK female staff currently hold leadership or managerial roles. A notable occasion was when female faculty members and students showcased CityUHK’s dedication to creating an inclusive environment for women in science by celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February 2024.

Our Sustainability Report details CityUHK’s approach to meeting all 17 SDGs, including No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), Life on Land (SDG 15), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Please visit Sustainability@CityUHK to access the Sustainability Report and learn more about CityUHK’s efforts to support the SDGs.