Hong Kong Green Building Council Celebrates 100 Certifications

The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) has achieved a significant milestone by awarding its 100th “Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certification.” This landmark achievement was celebrated during a ceremony on November 26, 2025, where a total of 35 certificates were presented, affirming the commitment of the local building industry to reduce carbon emissions and move towards sustainability.

The ceremony, attended by approximately 200 industry leaders and experts, also marked the launch of the Third Edition of the “HKGBC Climate Change Framework for Built Environment.” This updated framework introduces a new chapter dedicated to “Biodiversity & Nature-based Solutions,” addressing the urgent need for ecological conservation alongside climate action.

Mr. TSE Chin-wan, BBS, JP, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officiated the event. He highlighted the importance of the new edition in providing guidance on carbon offsetting and biodiversity. “The updated Framework is a valuable reference for the building sector in achieving ‘net-zero’,” stated Secretary TSE, expressing gratitude to the certificate recipients for their contributions to promoting greener buildings.

The 35 new certifications encompass projects from various sectors, including government departments and major developers such as Sino Group, Great Eagle Group, and Shui On Group. Among these, five projects received “Target Setting Certificates,” while one was awarded the inaugural “Progress Certificate,” demonstrating early commitment to carbon reduction targets.

The “Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certification Scheme,” part of the HKGBC Climate Change Framework, aims to assist the building sector in developing net zero strategies. Since its inception, the framework has been downloaded over 45,000 times, reaching more than 50 regions globally.

The Third Edition features significant revisions, including guidelines on embodied carbon, operational carbon, and climate risk assessment. It also includes practical case studies that showcase climate adaptation and resilience.

Dr. CHEUNG Tin-cheung, SBS, Chairman of the HKGBC, emphasized the connection between biodiversity and urban development. “A biodiverse built environment can enhance liveability and climate resilience,” he noted. He urged financial institutions to integrate nature into their investment decisions, underscoring the potential for companies managing nature-related risks to access green finance.

In his closing remarks, Ir Prof. PAN Shu-jie, Chairman of the Sustainable Development Committee of the HKGBC, encouraged the building industry to disclose nature-related impacts and assess the associated risks and opportunities. “We sincerely hope that this Framework will continue to advance Hong Kong towards a greener and more sustainable built environment,” he said.

The event included a panel discussion moderated by Ir Harry LAI, Executive Director of the HKGBC. Panelists discussed the implications of Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 and how the built environment can leverage green finance to achieve sustainability goals. The discussion underscored the urgent need for actionable frameworks to guide the industry towards meeting net zero emissions targets.

For more information on the “Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certification Scheme,” visit the HKGBC’s dedicated website. The Third Edition of the “HKGBC Climate Change Framework for Built Environment” is also available for download online.

The HKGBC, established in 2009, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable building practices in Hong Kong. It aims to raise awareness of green building standards and guide Hong Kong toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.