Mr. Andy TO presented awards to projects in Hong Kong that have achieved LEED Gold or Platinum certification since 2018 as well as the city’s first SITES project.
(12 June 2019, Hong Kong) The inaugural International Green Building Symposium 2019 Hong Kong (IGBS HK) was successfully held, co-hosted by USGBC and AIA Hong Kong Chapter, with the support of 7 co-organizers and 5 sponsors.
Nearly 200 participants attended the symposium featuring timely discussion from the industry’s top minds on the outlook of Hong Kong real estate driven by sustainable development and investment, as well as on the blueprint for the future green city.
Mr. Andy To, Managing Director, USGBC North Asia, pointed out in his welcoming speech that the achievement Hong Kong has attained in green building and sustainable development can be attributed to supportive government policies and initiatives, a market-driven approach, as well as joint commitment among 1000+ LEED professionals and industry leaders who have long been deeply involved in the process. Currently, 61% of office buildings that are less than five years old in Hong Kong has been green building certified. But compared with other metropolitans like Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing at 80% green buildings percentage, the city still has a long way to go on its green building journey.
Mr. Andy TO, Managing Director, USGBC North Asia, pointed out in his welcoming speech that the achievement Hong Kong has attained in green building and sustainable development can be attributed to supportive government policies and initiatives, a market-driven approach, as well as joint commitment among 1000+ LEED professionals and industry leaders who have long been deeply involved in the process.
Mr. Joseph CHAN, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, The Government of Hong Kong SAR, delivered an encouraging keynote speech addressing Hong Kong government’s commitment to promoting the city’s sustainable development through green financial instrument.
Mr. Joseph CHAN, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, The Government of Hong Kong SAR, delivered an encouraging keynote speech addressing Hong Kong government’s commitment to promoting the city’s sustainable development through green financial instrument.
Mrs. Elizabeth KOK, Director and Senior Advisor, Swire Properties delivered the opening remarks for the first panel discussion titled “Sustainable Development and Investment – The Future of Real Estate”. The panelists made up of experts from Swire Properties, Colliers International, Hong Kong University and Hong Kong Green Finance Association agreed that a joint call for climate action, the green investments needed for the transition to a greener growth model, the pursuit of better life standards, and disruptive technologies will be key drivers in reshaping the future of Hong Kong’s real estate.
Mrs. Elizabeth KOK, Director and Senior Advisor, Swire Properties delivered the opening remarks for the first panel discussion titled “Sustainable Development and Investment – The Future of Real Estate”.
Titled “Future Green Building and City 2050”, the second panel discussion featuring guests from American Institute of Architects (AIA) and New Word Development focused on the vision for Hong Kong’s green and sustainable future. The panelists suggested that a green city means meeting the needs of the present without degrading the environment, enhancing the well-being of the people and communities involved while respecting the local culture. And sustainability should serve as main guiding principle in every decision made throughout the process.
The symposium concluded with Mr. Andy To presenting awards to projects in Hong Kong that have achieved LEED Gold or Platinum certification since 2018 as well as the city’s first SITES project. Projects achieving the status include Hang Seng 113, 2 IFC, K11 Ateliers Office, Rosewood Hotel and Avenue of Stars etc. “We are pleased to see that established developers such as New Word Development, Sun Hung Kai Properties, MTR, Chinachem Group, Nan Fung Group have taken the leading role in driving Hong Kong’s green building development.” said Mr. Andy To.