Strengthened Commitment to Sustainable Development
The global environment community from public and private sectors gathered in Hong Kong to discuss plans and actions to build a sustainable built environment.
More than 1,800 experts, policy-makers, academics and indust r y l e a d e r s f rom 5 7 c ou nt r i e s convened in Hong Kong to take par t in more t han 100 s essions in the World Sustainable Built Environment C onference 2017 Hong Kong.
Deemed the city’s biggest conference on sustainable building and urban development, from June 5 to 7 the event focused on sustainable livable neighborhoods amid expanding megacities in Asia and 1,800 green building leaders gathered in Hong Kong other parts of the world.
T h e m e d “Tr ans for m i ng O u r Built Environment through Innovation and Integrat ion: Putt ing Ideas into Action,” the conference was co-organized by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) as part of the Hong Kong SAR’s 20th Anniversary celebrations.
Wi t h t h e e v e n t h i t s y e a r i n Hong Kong, the Organizers saw an increasing importance in Asia and China in which the new wave of sustainable urban development would unravel as the heavily populated region upgrades its development.
“Over the years, we have incubated different zero-carbon building concepts around the Hong Kong cityscape, and we know that, in a compact and highly urbanized city like Hong Kong, indoor activities account for 90 percent of electricity consumption,” said Chan Ka-kui, Chairman of CIC.
“This brings both challenges and opportunities for sustainable city development,” Chan continued. “Innovative building and design c on c e pt s h ave g re at p ot e nt i a l to re s olve u r b an ch a l l e nge s by enhancing resource management and energy efficiency.”
Against the backdrop of reiterated support from global community to the reduction of greenhouse gas emission after the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, the conference has put the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations top of the agenda.
The e vent als o witness e d t he efforts made by cities around the world with their carb on reduction goals and concrete plans, and turned to innovation to provide practical solutions.
Decarbonized building are one of the imperative approaches to a more sustainable lifestyle as Hong Kong i s on t r a c k t o re du c e it s carbon emission per capita by 36 percent by 2030 to 3.8 tons from the level in 2005, according to the Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2030+ published by the Environment Bureau this January.
“Buildings are designed to provide better living and environment for the people. We believe smarter building designs and greener building management together with the concerted efforts of the community will keep us on track in reducing carbon emission per capita by a maximum of 36 percent to 3.8 tons by 2 0 3 0 f rom t he l e vel i n 2005,” said Chairman of HKGBC, Bay Wong.
Regarded as the “Olympics” for the green building industr y, the conference invited more than 450 wor l d - cl a s s s p e a ke rs to d e l ive r remarkable ke ynotes, as well as over 100 sessions where delegates engaged into deep-dived discussion based on academic research, bu s i n e s s c a s e s tu d i e s , i n du s t r y b est prac tices, and government perspectives.