CUHK released the Campus Master Plan outlining its commitment to climate action in 2010. The Plan was shared with stakeholders through public consultations. In 2021, CUHK announced its commitment to the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2038 (USR Goal 4 in the Strategic Plan refers), alongside the pledges of Mainland China and Hong Kong to advance to net zero carbon emissions by 2060 and 2050 respectively. We have engaged a consultant to assist the University in reviewing and preparing a roadmap and action plan towards carbon neutrality in early 2023 to address the various scopes of carbon emissions (Scopes 1, 2 and 3).

CUHK measures, reviews and reports on (e.g. through the Hong Kong Sustainable Campus Consortium) its energy consumption and carbon footprints regularly and conducts a carbon audit annually, following the guidelines published by the Hong Kong SAR Government. The audit takes into account the share of low-carbon energy sources from the local power company. In 2021/22, the amount of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions were 48,103 tonnes, while the amount of Scope 3 emissions was 974 tonnes. The amount of low-carbon energy used by the University was 162,170 GJ, including biodiesel fuel for vehicles and purchased electricity and town gas, in which the fuel mixes contained landfill gas and clean energy.

Electricity consumption accounts for over 90% of our GHG emissions. Whilst the growing campus population and new facilities will inevitably increase the demand for electricity in the coming years, CUHK will continue to pursue energy efficiency strategies to meet our energy and GHG reduction targets. We have invented and installed a number of first-in-Hong Kong energy-saving and renewable energy systems, such as the smart meter and high-efficiency CIGS solar energy system.  Since May 2019, the University has joined the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Scheme launched by the HKSAR Government to sell low-carbon energy generated by our solar photovoltaic panels to the local power company. In 2021/22, the amount of solar energy generated on campus was 1,492,763 kWh. 

CUHK adopts a sustainable procurement practice to ensure that the products and services we buy are as sustainable as possible to maximize net benefits for ourselves and the wider world. The Sustainable Procurement Policy was issued in mid-2021 to replace the Green Purchasing Policy, more broadly integrating economic and social with environmental elements. This policy was supported by a set of Sustainable Procurement Guidelines that lay out the specifications of 16 mandatory products and over 50 recommended products, incorporating sustainability considerations into operations. For example, ‘Sustainability-conscious food consumption’ in the guidelines provides that shark’s fin, bluefin tuna, black moss, humphead wrasse, Hong Kong grouper and sturgeon caviar and other unsustainably-produced seafood are not to be served in activities organized or paid for by CUHK, or as meals in clubhouses, canteens or restaurants operated by the University and its Colleges.

The University Council’s Finance Committee has established a policy statement to guide the University’s investments to align with its commitment to fighting climate change. The Committee carefully monitors the investment processes to exclude bonds issued by corporations engaging in the fossil fuels industry, explore investments specializing in combating climate change such as those in sustainable natural resources and renewable energy, and divest specific investments that have caused environmental hazards.

CUHK’s waste management approach emphasizes the ‘6Rs’ principle: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle/Recover, where the top priority is to reduce waste at source and encourage cyclical use of resources while disposal at landfills is only the last resort. Our Waste Management Policy and Guidelines cover the handling and disposal of different waste types including event-related waste, used electrical and electronic equipment, used furniture, municipal solid waste, hazardous waste, and construction waste.

The University has also implemented policies and organized programmes/events aimed at the minimization of disposables, such as the Guidelines for Sustainable Event Planning and Management, Green Orientation Sponsorship and Green Congregation, and ‘Plastic-free Campus‘ Campaign targetting souvenirs, gifts and flower bouquets and plastics, including bottled water, straws and cutlery items.

All sustainability-related guidelines (including the Waste Management Guidelines, Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, Guidelines for Sustainable Event Planning and Management and Outsourcing Policy) are applicable to outsourced suppliers, service providers and contractors.

CUHK regularly monitors the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated and recycled and reviews its waste management performance. In 2021/22, 1,496 metric ton (mt) of MSW was generated, of which 608 mt was recycled.