SJ Group Advances Sustainable Commitment with Support to Climate Change Framework and Dual Green Building Award Recognition
HKGBC Launches Third Edition of “Climate Change Framework For Built Environment” — Advancing Net Zero and Biodiversity Integration
HKGBC Drives Sustainability Education Under the Jockey Club “Energy Saver in Schools Project”
Two Years of Progress: Empowering Schools for a Greener Future
SJ Group Advances Sustainable Commitment with Support to Climate Change Framework and Dual Green Building Award Recognition
SJ Group was proud to serve as a supporting organisation for the launch of the Third Edition of the HKGBC Climate Change Framework For Built Environment (the "Framework"), highlighting the Group's active engagement in shaping Hong Kong's sustainable development. This pivotal initiative provides a clear roadmap for the industry's transition to a low-carbon future. With its strengthened focus on biodiversity and nature-based solutions, and its emphasis on green finance, the new Framework underscores the essential convergence of climate action, technology, and economy, a vision fully aligned with SJ's Climate Advisory work and Regenerative Design approach.
Learn more about SJ's Climate Advisory work: www.sjgroup.com/services/advisory/
HKGBC Launches Third Edition of “Climate Change Framework For Built Environment” — Advancing Net Zero and Biodiversity Integration
The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) officially launched the Third Edition of the “HKGBC Climate Change Framework For Built Environment” (the “Framework”) at the Zero‑Carbon‑Ready Building Certificate Presentation Ceremony in November. With the cumulative issuance of 100 Zero‑Carbon‑Ready Building Certifications, the event marked a major milestone, reflecting the industry’s accelerating progress towards net‑zero transformation. The updated Framework provides comprehensive enhancements to existing guidance, and introduces a new chapter on “Biodiversity & Nature‑based Solutions” in response to the urgent global need to address climate change and ecological conservation.
The ceremony was officiated by the Guest of Honour, Mr TSE Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, the Government of the HKSAR, and Dr CHEUNG Tin-cheung, SBS, Chairman of the HKGBC. The event brought together approximately 200 industry leaders and experts to witness this important moment. A total of 35 certificates were presented, bringing the cumulative total to 100. These 35 certificates covered 34 building projects spanning government departments, developers, property managers and the banking sector, including the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), Sino Group, Great Eagle Group, Shui On Group, Hong Yip Service Co. Ltd., JLL, China Construction Bank, Citigroup Inc., and Hang Seng Bank. Among the 34 building projects, five received “Target Setting Certificates”, while one received the first‑ever “Progress Certificate”, reflecting the commitment to achieve carbon reduction targets ahead of schedule.
Mr TSE Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, the Government of the HKSAR, welcomed the launch of HKGBC's Third Edition of Climate Change Framework For Built Environment.
Dr CHEUNG Tin-cheung, SBS, Chairman of the HKGBC, remarked, “A biodiverse built environment can enhance liveability, residents' wellbeing and climate resilience.”
Ir Prof. PAN Shu‑jie, Chairman of HKGBC’s Sustainable Development Committee, emphasised, “The new chapter encourages the building industry to disclose nature‑related impacts in line with established standards, assess associated risks, opportunities and dependencies, and identify areas for improvement.”
Expert Introductions & Panel Discussion
At the ceremony, Ir Harry LAI, BBS, Executive Director of HKGBC, outlined the key updates and future directions of the new edition together with chapter convenors Prof. Jack CHENG (HKUST); Ir Dr Raymond YAU (Raymond Yau & Co.); Ms Grace KWOK (Allied Sustainability & Environmental Consultants Group); Ir Dr Bruce CHONG (Arup); and Mr Alexander (Sandy) Main DUGGIE (URBIS).
Ir LAI also moderated a panel to discuss policy issues such as Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 and the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, built‑environment responses to climate change, and green‑finance pathways to net zero. Panellists included Mr Arthur LEE, JP, of the Environment and Ecology Bureau; Mr Ronald YOUNG of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Ms Kitty CHEUNG of Hang Seng Bank; and Ir Joe CHOW of the IFMA Hong Kong Chapter.
About the Third Edition of the Framework
The Zero‑Carbon‑Ready Building Certification Scheme operates under the HKGBC Climate Change Framework For Built Environment, supporting the industry to craft net‑zero strategies and accelerate carbon reduction. The Framework has recorded more than 45,000 downloads across over 50 regions, underscoring Hong Kong’s leadership in green building.
The Third Edition was revised through an Editorial Panel and five Expert Groups comprising 46 industry experts. Major updates cover embodied carbon, operational carbon, carbon offsetting, climate risk assessment and disclosure, and practical case studies on climate adaptation and resilience. A new chapter on “Biodiversity & Nature‑based Solutions” highlights the interconnectedness of nature, biodiversity and climate resilience, further positioning Hong Kong as a low‑carbon and resilient city.
Learn more: https://zcrbc.hkgbc.org.hk/
Download the Framework (3rd Edition): https://hkgbc.org.hk/eng/resources/publications/HKGBC-Publication/Guidebook/HKGBC-Climate-Change-Framework.pdf
Download the Framework (3rd Edition): https://hkgbc.org.hk/eng/resources/publications/HKGBC-Publication/Guidebook/HKGBC-Climate-Change-Framework.pdf
HKGBC Drives Sustainability Education Under the Jockey Club “Energy Saver in Schools Project”
Two Years of Progress: Empowering Schools for a Greener Future
The five-year “Jockey Club Energy Saver in Schools Project” was launched in October 2023 with funding support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. With the Business Environment Council as lead organiser, together with BEAM Society Limited and the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) as co-organisers, the Project aims to transform over 200 schools into greener campuses through energy-efficient retrofitting works, comprehensive education programmes and BEAM Plus Existing Schools certification.
As a key partner, the HKGBC leads the education component of the Project, delivering impactful programmes that inspire the next generation to embrace sustainability. In just two years, these efforts have engaged more than 700 teachers and 26,000 students, fostering awareness and action across Hong Kong’s school community.
Green Building Tours: Learning Beyond the Classroom
To complement classroom learning, the HKGBC organised Green Building Tours for teachers and students, giving them an opportunity to experience green building practices in action. Over 450 participants explored BEAM Plus-certified and Green Building Award-winning projects, gaining valuable insights into innovative design and efficient operation.
Highlights included the HKRep Education Hub, blending heritage conservation with modern environmental design; the Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station and Cha Kwo Ling Promenade, integrating essential infrastructure with leisure facilities; and the Jockey Club – The Conservancy Association Urban Forestry Green Hub, transforming under-flyover spaces into vibrant areas for urban forestry education. These experiences showcased practical applications of green building principles, inspiring participants to envision greener possibilities for their own campuses.
As a key partner, the HKGBC leads the education component of the Project, delivering impactful programmes that inspire the next generation to embrace sustainability. In just two years, these efforts have engaged more than 700 teachers and 26,000 students, fostering awareness and action across Hong Kong’s school community.
Green Building Tours: Learning Beyond the Classroom
To complement classroom learning, the HKGBC organised Green Building Tours for teachers and students, giving them an opportunity to experience green building practices in action. Over 450 participants explored BEAM Plus-certified and Green Building Award-winning projects, gaining valuable insights into innovative design and efficient operation.
Highlights included the HKRep Education Hub, blending heritage conservation with modern environmental design; the Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station and Cha Kwo Ling Promenade, integrating essential infrastructure with leisure facilities; and the Jockey Club – The Conservancy Association Urban Forestry Green Hub, transforming under-flyover spaces into vibrant areas for urban forestry education. These experiences showcased practical applications of green building principles, inspiring participants to envision greener possibilities for their own campuses.
Green Building Teenius: Cultivating Future Leaders
The HKGBC has further expanded its educational efforts through the “Green Building Teenius” Student Ambassador Programme, designed to nurture future leaders in green building and sustainability through a series of trainings. This initiative empowers students to become green campus ambassadors, promoting sustainable practices and demonstrating how green building can shape a better future.
The programme began with a fun presentation skills workshop for primary students, where 60 participants explored green building concepts and learned presentation skills under the guidance of a professional emcee.
Following this success, the secondary school section was launched in November, with over 100 students from local schools participating. The first workshop featured Mr Hugo POON, HKGBC’s Green Building Young Leader, who shared real-life stories connecting green building principles to Hong Kong’s built environment. Students then engaged in an ideation session, brainstorming creative green solutions for their schools and communities.
The momentum continued with a second workshop, led by Mr Isaac POON, another Green Building Young Leader. He explained how new buildings achieve green standards from the design stage, giving a picture of the professional considerations behind green buildings. The workshop then shifted to storytelling skills, where students learned techniques to craft compelling narratives and present ideas persuasively through interactive activities, preparing to influence others towards sustainability.
The Green Building Teenius journey will continue with two remaining workshops in 2026, giving students the chance to deepen their ideas and share project experiences.
With the Project now entering its third year, the HKGBC remains committed to delivering quality educational experiences. By equipping young minds with knowledge and skills through immersive tours and ambassador training, the Council aims to empower them to become active changemakers in shaping a greener future.
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