The Greenway 2026: Accelerating Change in Hong Kong’s Sustainability Agenda
Speaking at the forum, Ambassador Harvey Rouse, Head of the EU Office to Macao and Hong Kong, underscored the urgency of climate action, reminding participants that time is running out to achieve the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target. He stressed that decisive action and enhanced international cooperation are the only viable path forward. Highlighting the European Union’s achievements, Ambassador Rouse noted that the EU has reduced emissions by 37% since 1990 while expanding its economy by 68%, demonstrating that sustainability can be a powerful driver of economic growth rather than a constraint to it.
Ahead of the event, EuroCham and the HKGCC jointly developed a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at accelerating the city’s green transformation. A key priority of their proposal is strengthening the city’s green finance ecosystem. Building on Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading sustainable bond hub, the chambers called for closer alignment with international taxonomies and standards to enhance investor confidence and more effectively channel capital towards sustainable projects and transition activities.
The recommendations also focus on advancing sustainable mobility. Proposed measures include expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, incentivising the adoption of green corporate fleets, and promoting sustainable fuels in the aviation and maritime sectors to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a premier transport hub. In addition, the chambers advocated for stronger circular economy practices, encouraging businesses to design products that are repairable, recyclable, and durable, while setting ambitious targets for building renovations and zero-emission construction.
Recognising Hong Kong’s role as a major sourcing and logistics centre, the chambers highlighted the importance of building resilient supply chain. By embedding sustainability considerations throughout regional supply networks, businesses can strengthen long-term competitiveness and be compliant with emerging EU environmental regulations.
These collaborative recommendations reflect the shared conviction of the European and Hong Kong business communities that sustainability must be integrated across finance, transport, industry, and supply chains. By working together, Hong Kong and the EU can significantly accelerate the green transition while reinforcing the city’s strategic position as a super connector and creating a win-win pathway for both businesses and society.
As a culmination of this collaborative effort, Steve Wong, then Chairman of the HKGCC Environment & Sustainability Committee, and Johannes Hack, Chairman of EuroCham, formally presented the joint recommendations to Paul Lam, Acting Chief Executive of the HKSAR.
