SUSTAINABILITY Partnerships 

The International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN)

HKUST is a member of the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN), which provides an international forum to support higher education institutions in exchanging information, ideas, and best practices for achieving sustainable campus operations and integrating sustainability in research and teaching. As part of ISCN, HKUST actively collaborates with global peer institutions to develop best practices for tackling challenges in SDG achievements.

Recognized for our Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab (SSC) initiative, we received the Honorary Member Award from ISCN in 2022. This initiative aims to address global sustainability challenges and foster a sustainability mindset through innovations focused on improving the public good.

Honorary Member Award 2022: Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab (SSC) initiative.

As a member of the ISCN Living Labs Community of Practice, HKUST representatives have shared our campus's sustainability progress and innovative ideas at ISCN conferences in Mexico (2023) and Lausanne (2024), underscoring our commitment to sustainability. 

In the annual conference for 2024, HKUST introduced an innovative pilot engagement campaign targeting energy savings and safety in research labs. The campaign employed a data and habits-informed approach, utilizing a low-cost, user-friendly real-time database to monitor and track the height of fume hood sashes. See more details here. 

The International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) has released its 2024 Best Practices Report Award, featuring 45 case studies from 36 ISCN members. This report highlights their dedication to fostering sustainability across teaching, learning, research, campus management, and community engagement. Its goal is to inspire and guide others in higher education as they pursue sustainability initiatives on campuses and beyond. HKUST is proud to be one of three award winners in this special category. Our featured case study "Campus Trees to Reduce Embodied Carbon in New Construction" showcases our systems-thinking approach: we are upcycling felled trees from construction sites, reducing the university's embodied carbon while reconnecting our campus community with the natural world. Additionally, we have developed a new Tree Felling and Planting Policy to maximize the value of trees at the end of their lifespan.

Joint Declaration on Embracing a Living Lab Approach to Promote Carbon Neutrality 

The Joint Declaration on Embracing a Living Lab Approach to Promote Carbon Neutrality, spearheaded by HKUST, unites universities globally to combat climate change and secure a sustainable future for all. Acknowledging universities' pivotal role in research and innovation to mitigate climate impacts, we commit to advancing carbon-neutral solutions through our campuses as "living labs." This commitment includes upholding UN Sustainable Development Goal 13, fostering hands-on research and learning, nurturing partnerships for campus-based innovation, sharing best practices, and driving research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from campus operations. 

Hong Kong Sustainable Campus Consortium (HKSCC) 

HKUST plays a pivotal role within the Hong Kong Sustainable Campus Consortium (HKSCC), a platform established in 2010 by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to facilitate collaboration among the eight publicly-funded universities in Hong Kong. The HKSCC focuses on:

•    Promoting member universities' efforts to implement sustainability solutions through research, teaching, policies, operations, and outreach

•    Facilitating best practice exchanges via programs, projects, and specialist groups

•    Hosting public sustainability discussions through meetings, conferences, and digital platforms, engaging diverse entities to develop solutions and policies

•    Encouraging information and resource sharing as universities expand their sustainability initiatives

The HKSCC emphasizes sharing best practices, implementing the Hong Kong Declaration and monitoring environmental performance indicators in the sector.

HKUST co-chairs several working groups, including those on Sustainability Performance, Sustainability Education, and Joint University Campaigns. Additionally, HKUST serves on the Steering Committee for the Jockey Club Sustainable Campus Consumer Programme (JCSCCP), funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust—a recognized non-governmental organization. In 2020, HKUST assumed the role of convenor for the HKSCC and chaired its executive committee.

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) 

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is a public corporation set up by the Hong Kong Government to foster innovation and technology development in Hong Kong. HKUST collaborates with the HKSTP to advance sustainable technology innovation and development.  

Through the HKUST Living Lab Incubation program, HKUST supports HKSTP green tech startup research and development through pilot projects on HKUST campus, while advancing R&D collaboration with HKUST faculty. An example of HKSTP startup we have collaborated with is Alcarbo Technologies Limited, a carbon capture project with a 100m2 installation site on HKUST campus. 

HKUST is a supporting organization for HKSTP's "Green in Prop+Con" initiative, which serves as a platform to source and match global and local green tech solutions with corporate partners' specific ESG needs.  

Additionally, the HKUST x HKSTP Co-Ideation Program is an entrepreneurship supporting program to support aspiring entrepreneurs in transforming their innovative ideas into viable businesses, including mentorship, training, and a direct pathway to HKSTP's Incubation program, fostering a conducive environment for entrepreneurial success and sustainable technological advancement. 

Gotta GO! Sustainable Explorer Challenge for Sustainable Tourism 

Hong Kong Express is a Hong Kong-based low cost airlines. The "Gotta GO! Sustainable Explorer Challenge," is an exciting initiative that empowers students to design lower-carbon travel adventures and become champions of sustainable tourism. Launched in 2024, this campaign challenges young minds to embrace sustainable travel by creating innovative itineraries and turning them into unforgettable, real-life experiences. HKUST is a partner of this sustainable education program on sustainable tourism and the aviation industry. 

Time Auction

Time Auction is a charity that advocates volunteerism. They encourage volunteering with inspiring experiences, while connecting skilled-volunteers with NGOs.

HKUST is a partner whereby we have contributed through 131 active members, 157 project applications submitted ⁠and 884 hours of volunteer work logged.  ⁠
⁠
From partnering to offer volunteering service through Beach Clean Up & Ocean Science Lab Visit, to hands-on volunteering of our staff and students as volunteers,  HKUST continues to set the bar high for impactful volunteering in Hong Kong.