Sustainability

Sustainability & Policy

SEE is a global leader in sustainability, advancing interdisciplinary solutions across science, engineering, and policy to drive low-carbon transitions, resource efficiency, and climate resilience. Its work delivers real-world impact through innovation, education, and global partnerships.

This theme integrates energy and sustainability, environmental governance, and industrial ecology to examine how policy and economic incentives shape sustainable development, focusing on green chemistry, waste valorization, and the socio-economic impacts of resource use.

Using econometric and interdisciplinary approaches, it addresses governance, corporate responsibility, and circular economy practices, advancing the energy–environment–economy nexus to support decarbonization, urban resilience, and green growth.

Scope

Our research explores resource systems, urban environments, and coastal ecosystems, converting scientific discovery into sustainable transitions and cost-effective solutions for climate resilience, circular resource use, and human wellbeing.

We unite science, technology, engineering, and economics to tackle global sustainability challenges, shaping a more resilient and regenerative future for human beings and the planet.

Focus Areas

SEE’s sustainability research supports Hong Kong’s decarbonization ambitions by advancing evidence-based solutions for climate resilience, sustainable urban systems, and environmental stewardship.

Prof. Carol LIN (Senior Lead)

Biorefinery, Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Food waste valorisation, Nutrient recovery, Waste and biomass valorisation

Prof. Peipei CHEN (Junior Lead)

Ecological Economics, Energy and Environment, Climate Change Policy, Energy Transition Technologies, Industrial Ecology, Energy System Resilience, Techno-Economic Assessment

Prof. Shauhrat CHOPRA

Industrial ecology and symbiosis, life cycle assessment (LCA) for emerging materials and technology, ecosystem goods and services management, climate change adaptation, disaster response and recovery, interdependent urban infrastructure systems, food production systems

Prof. Liang DONG

Urban Sustainability and Sustainable Urban Planning, Environmental Management & Policies, Industrial Ecology and Environmental System Analysis, Eco-Industrial Development (EID), Low-Carbon, Smart and Inclusive City

Prof. Lin ZHANG

Energy & Sustainability Economics, Policy for Sustainable Resource Use, Green Business & Finance, Economic Development under Climate Risks