"Educational institutions can play a leading role in adopting greener measures and sending clear messages about what we can all do to achieve greater sustainability."

HKU is the 'green lung' in a densely- populated urban neighbourhood and it is acutely aware of its own impacts and vulnerability in the face of environmental problems. As Hong Kong's leading university, it is also conscious of its potential to be part of the solution.

     
"Our position is that even given the constraints in which we work in Hong Kong, where there is a lack of renewable energy sources and the recycling culture is not very strong, we will try and demonstrate our concept of sustainability. We will do this not just through our curriculum, not just through our research, not just through our philosophy, but also through our own practice," Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Malpas, said.
 
 The University has been addressing sustainability issues for well over a decade and managed to reduce its per capita energy consumption even as student and staff numbers and activities increased (see panel). It is also making the new Centennial Campus a showcase for environmental and sustainability features, and identifying further measures to reduce consumption of resources and make existing buildings more energy efficient.
 
These efforts augment our academic efforts to find solutions and raise awareness. The environment is one of HKU's five Strategic Research Themes, and susbtainability features in course offered by many of our faculties. Moreover, students are also setting an example to others.
 
The group Climate Chance, for example, sent a six-member delegation to UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December with the message that climate change is part of the bigger problem related to development. The group aims to get people to think more critically about how problems arise, and is also developing networks among Hong Kong secondary schools and universities to promote greener lifestyles. A live Skype talk with polar explorer and environmentalist Robert Swan was organized by the group in March, and they also plan an Eco-house exhibition at HKU in the autumn to showcase green technology.
 
The University has been addressing energy and sustainability measures on campus for well over a decade. Here are some examples of our achievements:

• Energy efficiency practices reduced per capita electricity consumption over the past 10 years,   saving more than 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (as of 2008), despite increases in activities and   staff and student numbers.

• HKU was the first Hong Kong university to appoint a Sustainability Officer (2008) and to publish a   Sustainability Report (from 2002) and Sustainability Goals and Policy (in 2005).

• Existing buildings are being retrofitted to make them more energy efficient.

• Recycling has been brought to desk-sides and expanded around campus.

• A consultant has been appointed to collect data on energy, water and waste consumption, which   will form the basis of targets for reduction.

• The new Centennial Campus has been designed with many features to reduce environmental   impacts and showcase green technologies, such as solar and wind energy generators, maximized   use of natural light, green roofs and walls, heat exchange pumps to capture hot air from
  air-conditioners, grey-water recycling, food-waste compactors, and lifts that generate power on their   descent.

• Monitors are planned to be set up around campus to show energy consumption in each zone or   building.

• HKU played a central organizing role the new Hong Kong Campus Sustainability Consortium, which   held its first meeting in January. HKU is also drafting a Hong Kong declaration on sustainable higher   education for local universities to sign. 		 
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