2026-09-16
Hong Kong Green Building Council Welcomes Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address
Hong Kong, 16 September 2026 – The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) welcomes the Government’s vision outlined in the Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address (Policy Address). The Council supports innovation, green transition, and sustainable development as key strategies for Hong Kong's future, and believes that green building, green finance and green technology will serve as vital pillars in driving Hong Kong's high-quality development, building a green and liveable city, and achieving carbon neutrality.
1. Developing the Northern Metropolis as a Green Development Showcase
The Council supports the Government in accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis. By adopting smart city concept in the planning of transportation, housing, greening, and public facilities, and by enhancing living amenities, the Northern Metropolis will be developed into a brand-new district that is ideal for living, work and travel. The Council will provide professional technical support to the industry through promoting and optimising the coverage of BEAM Plus, as well as advancing tools such as the Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certification and Net Zero Energy Building Certification. It will also cooperate with the Government to create green, healthy, and low-carbon communities in public and private projects within the new development areas.
2. Four Centres and One Hub: Strengthening the Synergistic Development of Green Finance and Green Buildings
HKGBC welcomes the Government's continuous efforts to consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international green finance centre, strengthen the development of the "four centres" and the hub for high calibre talent, and support the direction of "Finance + Green Development". This includes enhancing the sustainable finance-related information disclosure framework and sustainable finance ecosystem, closely integrating green finance with the decarbonisation of the built environment, and facilitating more efficient connection with international capital.
The Policy Address proposes that HKEX's Core Climate and the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency explore Hong Kong's participation in cross-boundary carbon trading, assisting the country in building a carbon market with greater international influence. The Council expresses its support and will continue to work with the Government and market stakeholders to promote building decarbonisation financing and sustainable finance development, accelerate the low-carbon transformation of the built environment, and consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international green finance hub.
The Council recommends further enhancing the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance by strengthening its coverage of green building certifications, energy-efficient retrofitting, climate adaptation and building decarbonisation, thereby accelerating the flow of capital towards green transition projects. The HKGBC Climate Change Framework for Built Environment provides the building industry with criteria and standards for carbon neutrality, climate risk management, and green finance. It also promotes green finance, helps enhance infrastructure resilience and climate adaptation, and addresses the challenges posed by extreme weather to buildings and the urban environment. As the operator of BEAM Plus and the Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certification Scheme, HKGBC will continue to join hands with the Government, financial institutions, and the industry to drive the low-carbon transition of the built environment and the development of sustainable finance.
3. Accelerating the Low-Carbon Transition of Buildings and the Application of Green Technologies
The Council supports the Government in promoting the development of green technologies and new energy, as well as enhancing the regime of energy efficiency standards for buildings and electrical products, thereby enabling carbon reduction in new and existing buildings. The Council will proactively lead the industry in the low-carbon transition of buildings. By establishing and maintaining the HKGBC Retrofitting Hub and the HKGBC Retrofitting Guidebook, the Council helps the industry plan and implement energy-saving retrofits more effectively. The Council looks forward to joining hands with the industry to meet the targets of reducing the electricity consumption of commercial buildings by 30% to 40% and that of residential buildings by 20% to 30% from the 2015 level by 2050, and achieving half of the above targets by 2035.
In addition, the Council will continue to promote BEAM Plus Existing Buildings Version 3.0 assessment tool to help buildings enhance their energy efficiency, environmental performance and climate resilience, thereby transforming old districts into new communities that are smart and green. At the same time, the Council will deepen the concepts of circular building, green building material certification and the application of innovative technologies, driving the industry towards high-quality and sustainable development.
4. Nurturing Green Talent and Enhancing the Level of Market Integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
The Council supports the Government in strengthening cooperation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), actively developing and promoting the "GBA Standards" and "GBA Certification", facilitating mutual recognition of professional qualifications, standard coordination and technical exchange. It also seeks to deepen the collaboration of the construction supply chain and promote the development of innovative technologies such as Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP). The Council welcomes the Policy Address's initiative to reserve land in the Northern Metropolis for the development of the Advanced Construction Industry Park, aiming to foster industries such as testing and certification, construction technology R&D, training and manufacturing. This is believed to further enhance the construction industry's innovation capability and supply chain stability. Through professional training and qualification certification, the Council will nurture more talent in green building, sustainable finance and green technology to support Hong Kong's green economy.
The Council also supports the high-quality joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and actively builds strategic partnerships with the GBA and the Middle East region to internationalise BEAM Plus, further strengthening its influence in the fields of sustainable development, green building standards and green finance cooperation. BEAM Plus promoted by the Council has aligned with international standards, and its application scope has expanded beyond Hong Kong in recent years, with application footprint now covering multiple "Belt and Road" countries and regions including Djibouti, Belarus, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia. In June 2026, the Council signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with relevant organisations in the Belt and Road countries, such as Saudi Arabia, to further promote BEAM Plus on the international stage and enable green building technology exchange and regional sustainable development cooperation.
Supporting a Sustainable Future for Hong Kong
The Council looks forward to working closely with the Government and stakeholders from all sectors to support the implementation of various measures outlined in the Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address. The Council has long been dedicated to advancing green building development. Since the launch of BEAM Plus, over 3,000 projects have been registered, encompassing more than 9,300 buildings with a total gross floor area exceeding 100 million square metres, laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong's green building development and sustainability.
The Council will continue to leverage its professional strengths in green building certification, green finance, green technology, and talent development to drive industry innovation and cross-sector collaboration. By accelerating the low-carbon transformation of the built environment, we will work hand in hand to build a lower-carbon, more liveable, and more resilient sustainable future, further consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international hub for green building and sustainable development.
1. Developing the Northern Metropolis as a Green Development Showcase
The Council supports the Government in accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis. By adopting smart city concept in the planning of transportation, housing, greening, and public facilities, and by enhancing living amenities, the Northern Metropolis will be developed into a brand-new district that is ideal for living, work and travel. The Council will provide professional technical support to the industry through promoting and optimising the coverage of BEAM Plus, as well as advancing tools such as the Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certification and Net Zero Energy Building Certification. It will also cooperate with the Government to create green, healthy, and low-carbon communities in public and private projects within the new development areas.
2. Four Centres and One Hub: Strengthening the Synergistic Development of Green Finance and Green Buildings
HKGBC welcomes the Government's continuous efforts to consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international green finance centre, strengthen the development of the "four centres" and the hub for high calibre talent, and support the direction of "Finance + Green Development". This includes enhancing the sustainable finance-related information disclosure framework and sustainable finance ecosystem, closely integrating green finance with the decarbonisation of the built environment, and facilitating more efficient connection with international capital.
The Policy Address proposes that HKEX's Core Climate and the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency explore Hong Kong's participation in cross-boundary carbon trading, assisting the country in building a carbon market with greater international influence. The Council expresses its support and will continue to work with the Government and market stakeholders to promote building decarbonisation financing and sustainable finance development, accelerate the low-carbon transformation of the built environment, and consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international green finance hub.
The Council recommends further enhancing the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance by strengthening its coverage of green building certifications, energy-efficient retrofitting, climate adaptation and building decarbonisation, thereby accelerating the flow of capital towards green transition projects. The HKGBC Climate Change Framework for Built Environment provides the building industry with criteria and standards for carbon neutrality, climate risk management, and green finance. It also promotes green finance, helps enhance infrastructure resilience and climate adaptation, and addresses the challenges posed by extreme weather to buildings and the urban environment. As the operator of BEAM Plus and the Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certification Scheme, HKGBC will continue to join hands with the Government, financial institutions, and the industry to drive the low-carbon transition of the built environment and the development of sustainable finance.
3. Accelerating the Low-Carbon Transition of Buildings and the Application of Green Technologies
The Council supports the Government in promoting the development of green technologies and new energy, as well as enhancing the regime of energy efficiency standards for buildings and electrical products, thereby enabling carbon reduction in new and existing buildings. The Council will proactively lead the industry in the low-carbon transition of buildings. By establishing and maintaining the HKGBC Retrofitting Hub and the HKGBC Retrofitting Guidebook, the Council helps the industry plan and implement energy-saving retrofits more effectively. The Council looks forward to joining hands with the industry to meet the targets of reducing the electricity consumption of commercial buildings by 30% to 40% and that of residential buildings by 20% to 30% from the 2015 level by 2050, and achieving half of the above targets by 2035.
In addition, the Council will continue to promote BEAM Plus Existing Buildings Version 3.0 assessment tool to help buildings enhance their energy efficiency, environmental performance and climate resilience, thereby transforming old districts into new communities that are smart and green. At the same time, the Council will deepen the concepts of circular building, green building material certification and the application of innovative technologies, driving the industry towards high-quality and sustainable development.
4. Nurturing Green Talent and Enhancing the Level of Market Integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
The Council supports the Government in strengthening cooperation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), actively developing and promoting the "GBA Standards" and "GBA Certification", facilitating mutual recognition of professional qualifications, standard coordination and technical exchange. It also seeks to deepen the collaboration of the construction supply chain and promote the development of innovative technologies such as Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP). The Council welcomes the Policy Address's initiative to reserve land in the Northern Metropolis for the development of the Advanced Construction Industry Park, aiming to foster industries such as testing and certification, construction technology R&D, training and manufacturing. This is believed to further enhance the construction industry's innovation capability and supply chain stability. Through professional training and qualification certification, the Council will nurture more talent in green building, sustainable finance and green technology to support Hong Kong's green economy.
The Council also supports the high-quality joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and actively builds strategic partnerships with the GBA and the Middle East region to internationalise BEAM Plus, further strengthening its influence in the fields of sustainable development, green building standards and green finance cooperation. BEAM Plus promoted by the Council has aligned with international standards, and its application scope has expanded beyond Hong Kong in recent years, with application footprint now covering multiple "Belt and Road" countries and regions including Djibouti, Belarus, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia. In June 2026, the Council signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with relevant organisations in the Belt and Road countries, such as Saudi Arabia, to further promote BEAM Plus on the international stage and enable green building technology exchange and regional sustainable development cooperation.
Supporting a Sustainable Future for Hong Kong
The Council looks forward to working closely with the Government and stakeholders from all sectors to support the implementation of various measures outlined in the Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address. The Council has long been dedicated to advancing green building development. Since the launch of BEAM Plus, over 3,000 projects have been registered, encompassing more than 9,300 buildings with a total gross floor area exceeding 100 million square metres, laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong's green building development and sustainability.
The Council will continue to leverage its professional strengths in green building certification, green finance, green technology, and talent development to drive industry innovation and cross-sector collaboration. By accelerating the low-carbon transformation of the built environment, we will work hand in hand to build a lower-carbon, more liveable, and more resilient sustainable future, further consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international hub for green building and sustainable development.
The Hong Kong Green Building Council welcomes Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address, and supports the Government’s efforts to accelerate sustainable development through green building, green finance and green technology initiatives.
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About the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC)
The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) is a non-profit, member-led organisation established in 2009 and has become a public body under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance since 2016. The HKGBC strives to promote the standard and development of sustainable buildings in Hong Kong. The HKGBC also aims to raise green building awareness by engaging the government, the industry and the public, and to develop practical solutions for Hong Kong’s unique, subtropical built environment of high-rise, high density urban area, leading Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and to become a world’s exemplar of green building development. The Founding Members of the HKGBC include the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Business Environment Council (BEC), the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) and the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC).
To learn more about the HKGBC, please visit www.hkgbc.org.hk.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Hong Kong Green Building Council Marketing & PR Manager Lucy SO Phone: (852) 3994 8832 Email：[email protected] |
Marketing & PR Executive II Jill CHEUNG Phone: (852) 3994 8843 Email：[email protected] |