SDG 12: responsible consumption and production

79 related courses were offered in the 2022-23 academic year. 

According to Science Direct, from 2019 to 2023, HKUST published 249 research papers addressing SDG 12.

About 41% of them are in the top 10% cite score and around 70% are internationally co-authored.

Ethical sourcing of goods 

The operation of department and staff offices must abide to HKUST Sustainability Guideline which outlines the required involvement of each department in the Sustainability Network to ensure smooth adoption. All equipment and appliances such as photocopiers, printers, dispensers and air conditioners on campus are EMSD Level 1 performance level or at least ENERGY STAR-recognized to ensure most energy efficiency. The HKUST Purchasing Office (PURO) recently renewed the operational Guidelines on Sustainable Purchasing showing its commitment to stricter authorization of office purchase requests by “greening” the campus’ supply chain.

D Disposal of hazardous waste

All departments operating under HKUST must abide to the regulations relating to the appropriate disposal of hazardous waste, starting from its identification all the way to its exact procedures as outlined by the HKUST Health, Safety and Environment Office (HSEO) to ensure for sustainable and responsible consumption.

Outsourced Services and Suppliers

HKUST Capital Projects decision-making prioritize the use of locally-sourced, recycled and overall low-carbon options through the targeting of green building certification such as BEAM + and LEED. Additionally, HKUST preferentially selects suppliers with ISO14001 environmental management certification or equivalent as well as requirements for them to disclose Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data including carbon footprint, resources consumption, fair labor practice etc. Purchase Request made by Suppliers and Contractors must also satisfy the Green Procurement Checklist as to ensure the lowest environmental cost and highest usable life span in the long run.

Life Cycle Thinking

The campus-wide implementation of Life Cycle Thinking urges the campus community to break down and evaluate the unintended environmental, economic and social costs of consumption. We launched the Life Cycle Lab platform to deliver Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) training materials, tools, and workshops for researchers, industry practitioners and students namely Green Council.

Reducing Waste 

We monitor and manage our waste generation, disposal, and recycling practices and share data with our community. In the academic year 2022-2023, HKUST generated a total of 2,905 tons of waste in total. However, only 1,828 tons or 0.12 tons per capita ended up on landfills. Due to our effective strategies of repurposing food waste, we successfully achieved a 37% diversion rate or equivalent to 1,077 tons of waste being recycled. This information allows us to identify areas of excessive waste production and implement measures to reduce waste at the source.

While we constantly strive to increase recycling rates, we recognize the vital role of reducing our consumption and reusing what we already have. To support this, we held “repair party” workshops that teach participants how to fix their electronic devices, thereby reducing waste and extending the life of their existing goods. 

Also, the Jockey Club Sustainable Consumer Program (JCSCCP) is a cross-university initiative to promote Responsible Consumption and Production. As part of the Hong Kong Sustainable Campus Consortium (HKSCC), HKUST is participating in this 3-year program to implement campus improvement and education initiatives. 2022 saw over 40 future sustainable leaders undergoing training in Sustainable opportunities in various departments such as fashion, food as well as recycling. 

The university aims to reduce landfill waste by 50% through campaigns like Bottled Water-free Campus Campaign and kicking open doors for carbon reduction efforts through the AI-driven Reusable Meal Container Lending System, FIRST of its kind, eliminating 300 disposable lunchboxes from landfills pushing down carbon emissions. 

Minimising Plastic Use 

The ban of single-use bottled water on campus since 2018 removed the sale of single-use plastic bottled water of 1 Liter or less. This policy is approximated to have eliminated the use of 22,000 disposable plastic water bottles monthly, or about 1,500,000 bottles since it was applied up to June 2023. Initiatives include distributing reusable UST branded water bottles to new students, installing water fountains with bottle-filling capabilities, and raising awareness about the environmental impact of plastic bottles. Offices and departments are encouraged to eliminate disposable bottles at meetings and events, opting for reusable alternatives. The campaign has garnered support from various units, and students are encouraged to bring their own bottles and refill them at water fountains. By promoting sustainable options, HKUST seeks to reduce plastic waste and promote a culture of environmental responsibility. 

Also, we aim to create an environment where our community also works closely with PARKnSHOP to to eliminate disposable plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables since 2019.