HONG KONG, Dec. 30, 2025 – The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) made a big splash at its recent ceremony. On November 26, it awarded 35 “Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certificates,” pushing the total to 100. This achievement is a key step toward making Hong Kong’s buildings more environmentally friendly.
The event also saw the launch of the *Third Edition of the HKGBC Climate Change Framework for the Built Environment*. This updated guide not only revises existing chapters but also introduces a new section on “Biodiversity & Nature-based Solutions.” This is crucial as climate change and ecological issues escalate globally. The HKGBC encourages the building industry to embrace green finance as a solution to these challenges.
About 200 leaders and experts from the building sector attended the event. Notable attendees included Mr. TSE Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, and Dr. CHEUNG Tin-cheung, HKGBC Chairman. They discussed the importance of sustainable practices in construction.
Among the recipients of the certificates were major players like the Sino Group, Shui On Group, and banks such as Citigroup and Hang Seng Bank. Notably, five projects received “Target Setting Certificates,” and one achieved the first-ever “Progress Certificate,” showcasing their commitment to reducing carbon emissions ahead of time.
The Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certification Scheme aims to guide the industry in creating effective net-zero strategies. Since its inception, the framework has seen over 45,000 downloads worldwide, further establishing Hong Kong’s leadership in green building practices.
The revised framework, created with input from 46 industry experts, now includes directions on handling operational and embodied carbon, climate risk assessments, and highlights successful case studies. The new chapter on biodiversity emphasizes how closely nature and climate are intertwined. This reinforces the need for Hong Kong to be both low-carbon and resilient to climate changes.
Mr. TSE highlighted the framework’s updates, noting their relevance for achieving ‘net-zero’ emissions. He appreciated the award recipients and stressed the need for collaborative efforts toward a greener future.
Dr. CHEUNG pointed out that a balanced approach to nature can improve community wellbeing and climate resilience. Financial institutions are starting to prioritize nature in their investments, which means that companies managing environmental risks could have better access to green financing. This framework sets a clear path for businesses to align development with conservation while capitalizing on these financial opportunities.
The ceremony ended with a panel discussion featuring key officials from environmental and financial sectors. They tackled topics like Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, emphasizing the importance of the framework in guiding the industry toward net-zero targets.
For more details on the *Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certification Scheme*, visit the HKGBC’s [official website](https://zcrbc.hkgbc.org.hk) or download the *Third Edition of the Climate Change Framework for the Built Environment* [here](https://general.hkgbc.org.hk/guidebook/ClimateChangeFramework.html).
The HKGBC was established in 2009 with a vision for a sustainable built environment in Hong Kong. It engages both the government and the public to promote green building practices, contributing to a target of carbon neutrality by 2050.
To learn more about HKGBC’s initiatives, visit [www.hkgbc.org.hk](http://www.hkgbc.org.hk).
