Hong Kong Housing Society launches Community ESG Programme to encourage green practices among public housing estates

In a concerted effort to raise public awareness and community participation in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) officially rolled out the Community ESG Programme under the theme of ‘Creating Homes for Sustainable Living’ with a kick-off ceremony at Prosperous Garden, Yau Ma Tei, on July 11.

Taking place from July to December 2023, the Community ESG Programme is the largest carbon reduction campaign for housing estates in Hong Kong to date. It calls for more than 30,000 residential units of 20 designated HKHS housing estates to develop a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, as their green actions are digitalized through the mobile app Zero2. By partnering with over 500 stores and restaurants, all participants will receive ‘rewards’ for completing ‘missions’ to reduce carbon emissions, which can be redeemed for various discounts on spending as well as fabulous prizes.

The kick-off ceremony was officiated by the Chairman of the HKHS Mr. Chan Kar-lok, and the Chairman of the Council for Sustainable Development Dr. Lam Ching-choi. Around 100 guests attended the ceremony, including members of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development, members and the management team of the HKHS, representatives from the developer of Zero2, participating merchants and HKHS residents.

“In the wake of global climate change and to meet long-term development needs of society, promoting sustainable development is a matter of great urgency,” said Chan. “We hope that through this project, we can unite the community and help our residents and colleagues build up low-carbon and healthy living habits through every facet of their daily lives, such as clothing, food, living and walking.”

“To implement sustainable development in a more systematic manner across its operations, the HKHS established a cross-division sustainability working group last year to plan, coordinate and oversee related work. The HKHS has also identified six relevant United Nations sustainability goals as the basis for developing a sustainability blueprint,” Chan added.

“As the HKHS celebrates its 75th anniversary, the theme of ‘Creating Homes for Sustainable Living’ reflects its commitment to improving the living environment of the public and fostering sustainable development,” noted Lam. “To achieve sustainable development in Hong Kong, it is necessary not only for the government to formulate long-term carbon reduction strategies, but for the public to actively participate in low-carbon living.”

The HKHS began promoting the Community ESG Programme among all rental housing departments and offices this June, and the scheme has already garnered positive responses, recording more than 10,000 registered participants. The Zero2 mobile application is more than simple to navigate: after joining the “Hong Kong Housing Society” group, residents can carry out carbon reduction tasks across the four major areas of clothing, food, living and walking.

By completing designated tasks, participants can earn points while doing their parts in reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption. Then, they can redeem points for spending rewards and gifts from participating merchants and restaurants in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. Gifts can also be redeemed at the gift redemption machines in HKHS rental housing estates.

Besides, the app will score participants by their amount of carbon reduction, and the top 10 will be displayed through the in-app carbon reduction ranking. The resident of HKHS rental housing estates who accumulate the greatest amount of carbon reduction by the end of the campaign on December 31 will receive the grand prize of an electric car. Other great prizes include popular household appliances, theme park accommodation packages and more.