Forum highlights efforts to accelerate decarbonization and sustainability

Officials and experts from the European Union and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Tuesday emphasized their shared vision of driving the green transition by strengthening partnerships, mobilizing investments, and supporting resilient, clean technology value chains.

They made the remarks at the Greenway 2026: Driving Sustainability Through Innovation forum held in Hong Kong.

Coorganized by the Office of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macao and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the event marked the fifth edition of the EU’s flagship sustainability forum, focusing on leveraging innovation and technology to accelerate decarbonization. The forum attracted more than 300 participants, including government officials, business leaders, and representatives of civil society organizations.

“EU companies are active here in sustainable construction, waste management, water desalination, and aircraft recycling so that they can bring expertise, investment, and innovative solutions to support Hong Kong’s green and digital transformation,” said Harvey Rouse, head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, in the opening address.

He added that such effort is particularly relevant as Hong Kong develops the Northern Metropolis, with European companies poised to contribute world-class expertise in sustainable urban planning, smart infrastructure, energy efficiency, mobility and digital technologies.

Rouse outlined several initiatives for collaboration between the EU and the Hong Kong SAR to promote the green transformation. Both sides are seeking to enhance cooperation in green finance, sustainable aviation and green shipping.

He noted that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in Europe has expanded to around 1.4 million metric tons, surpassing the 2 percent target for 2025. Since 1990, the EU has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 37 percent while growing its economy by 71 percent. Today, the EU accounts for only 6 percent of global emissions.

The Hong Kong SAR aims to halve its carbon emissions before 2035 from the 2005 level, with a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

In his opening speech, Paul Lam Ting-kwok, acting chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR, highlighted recent progress in the city’s sustainability initiatives, including a 27 percent reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions from the 2014 peak level.

Last month, Hong Kong-based EcoCeres signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dongguan government to build SAF production plants in Dongguan. EcoCeres uses proprietary technology to convert waste cooking oil into internationally certified SAF, aiming to boost regional SAF production and the circular economy.

As of May, a government interdepartmental working group has approved 38 hydrogen energy trial projects across transport, infrastructure, and construction sites.

The SAR government is currently drafting subsidiary legislation under the Gas Safety (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 to establish a clear legal framework and a stable regulatory environment for the hydrogen energy industry. This aims to encourage local and international investors to develop hydrogen-related businesses in Hong Kong with greater confidence.

Lam added that the public consultation document for Hong Kong’s first five-year plan articulated three key directions for developing a green economy: supporting pilot green technologies and solutions; promoting research and development and the production and application of SAF and hydrogen fuel; and facilitating the expansion and strengthening of promising green technology enterprises.

The forum also featured 29 proposals from the EU on how to accelerate the green and innovative transformation of both economies. These recommendations cover green city and infrastructure, green finance, green mobility, a sustainable supply chain, green technology and innovation, as well as education, public awareness and talent.

Michael Wong Wai-lun, acting financial secretary of the Hong Kong SAR, praised the EU’s pioneering contributions to green technologies and its development of robust international standards. “I must thank our European partners for bringing to Hong Kong their visions, their world-leading techs, and their environmentally friendly culture,” he said.

Contact the writers at oswald@chinadailyhk.com