Hong Kong is actively advancing a multi-pronged strategy to achieve a green transformation within government operations, aligning with the national "dual carbon" objectives. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan stated that the Hong Kong government aims to halve the city's carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.
To meet these goals, the government has adopted a "whole-of-government" mobilization strategy, implementing various measures beyond territory-wide policies to enhance carbon reduction efforts across departmental operations.
Progress in Renewable Energy
Significant progress has been made in promoting renewable energy over the past five years. Since the 2017-18 fiscal year, a total of HK$3 billion has been earmarked for installing small-scale renewable energy systems in government premises. By the end of 2025, over HK$2.4 billion has been approved for approximately 280 projects. These include installing solar power systems at government complexes, recreational facilities, reservoirs, and pedestrian walkways, as well as waste-to-energy and hydroelectric power facilities at sewage treatment plants. More than 170 of these projects were completed in the last five years. When all approved projects are fully operational, they are expected to generate over 27 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
Furthermore, the first phase of the Integrated Waste Management Facilities (I·PARK1) commenced trial operation in December 2025. Upon full operation, it is projected to produce about 480 million kWh of electricity per year. The planned second phase (I·PARK2) is expected to feed up to 960 million kWh of surplus electricity annually into the grid.
Carbon and Energy Management
Regarding carbon emissions management, the government issued a circular on "Carbon Management for Government Buildings" in 2017. This mandates regular carbon audits for all major government buildings, with results disclosed to the public through annual environmental reports. Recognizing the diverse nature of different bureaus and departments, it is challenging to set a single carbon reduction plan and target applicable to all. The government actively encourages public bodies to establish their own emission reduction targets. The Hospital Authority, for instance, has set carbon neutrality as an environmental policy goal, implementing measures like replacing high-efficiency air-conditioning units and establishing an energy management database system. The Airport Authority Hong Kong has also formulated a carbon management strategy and targets, updating its carbon audit system in 2024 to enhance emissions management.
For building energy efficiency, under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance, government buildings and public institution buildings such as hospitals and railway stations must comply with statutory energy efficiency standards. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department reviews and updates the relevant codes of practice with the industry every three years. The government amended the ordinance last year, requiring the aforementioned buildings to conduct energy audits every five years according to the Code of Practice for Building Energy Audit and to publicly release the technical data upon completion. This aims to encourage the industry to proactively offer energy-saving solutions. Once the amendments fully take effect this September, an estimated additional 500 million kWh of electricity is expected to be saved annually by 2035.
Advancing Hydrogen Energy Applications
The government is committed to promoting a green, low-carbon transition and actively exploring the potential of hydrogen energy across various sectors. For construction site power supply systems, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department published the Code of Practice for Fixed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems in December 2025, providing clear technical specifications for safe system configuration and operation. The Inter-departmental Working Group on Hydrogen Energy formulated optimization measures at its February 2026 meeting. For projects with maturing technology and lower risks, applicants can be exempted from quantitative risk assessments or submitting specified technical data, significantly streamlining the approval process. In June 2026, the EMSD compiled and uploaded an Introduction to On-site Application of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems to the working group's webpage, successfully facilitating the inclusion of related manufacturers' products in the pre-approved list of the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund.
Several hydrogen energy power generation projects have already been successfully implemented in Hong Kong. These include projects powering construction sites in Lok Ma Chau and Sheung Shui, electric vehicle charging projects in Sai Kung and North Point, and a project supplying power to temporary facilities for the golf event of the 15th National Games. The Construction Industry Council will also install a hydrogen power generator at its Zero Carbon Building in Kowloon Bay to provide on-site demonstrations of the technology for the industry.
Regarding hydrogen vehicle applications, the government is currently focused on promoting electric vehicles, where technology and supporting infrastructure are more mature, while also supporting trials of hydrogen vehicles. Currently, three hydrogen fuel cell street washing vehicles from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department are undergoing operational trials within the government fleet. The government will collect and analyze trial data to further assess future expansion plans. The Marine Department has also launched its first pilot project for methanol-powered vessels within the government fleet, with two such vessels expected to enter service in 2029.
To promote trials of hydrogen fuel cell heavy vehicles, the government launched a funding scheme under the New Energy Transport Fund in December 2024. The first phase reserved HK$100 million to subsidize the purchase of such vehicles, the setup of hydrogen refueling facilities, and hydrogen fuel costs during trials. As of June 2026, the Fund Secretariat has received two formal applications, involving trials of hydrogen fuel cell coaches for cross-boundary and local passenger transport. The government plans to consult stakeholders in the third quarter of this year to optimize the funding scope, with proposals to be submitted to the Fund Steering Committee for consideration in the fourth quarter.
Supporting Innovation and Private Sector
The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau is leading the development of strategic sites in the Northern Metropolis, including the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, the San Tin Technopole, and the Shatin Data Park. These will provide quality land options for strategic innovation and technology enterprises in areas like new materials, new energy, and green technology, establishing R&D and design centers, pilot production conversion bases, and mass production facilities to support the accelerated development of new quality productive forces and Hong Kong's new industrialization.
The government has also introduced multiple measures to encourage private sector development of renewable energy. These include facilitation measures launched in April 2022 to assist the private sector in installing solar power systems in outdoor car parks, and allowing the installation of solar power systems primarily for agricultural use on agricultural land without requiring planning permission from the Town Planning Board.
Green Procurement Initiatives
In green procurement, the government uses an Environmental Protection Procurement List to specify the environmental specifications for products and services, ensuring priority is given to energy-saving and low-carbon options during procurement. The government currently mandates that all newly purchased private cars must be electric vehicles. It also procures products that enhance energy efficiency, such as LED lights, Grade 1 energy label air conditioners, and photovoltaic panels. The government will review the Environmental Protection Procurement List periodically to keep pace with the latest market developments and procurement needs, helping to create stable demand for local green energy products and drive the development of related industries.