City University of Hong Kong
Sustainability@CityUHK
City University of Hong Kong
Sustainability@CityUHK

Sustainability Projects Showcase

CityUHK and CLP Power sign MoU to drive innovation in metal 3D printing in power industry

The Hong Kong Branch of the National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the application of metal 3D printing technology in power generation equipment components. This collaboration aims to enhance component durability and usability by combining CLP Power's engineering expertise with CityUHK's strengths in precious metal materials research, fostering industrial innovation in alignment with SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

Under the MoU, CityUHK and CLP Power will strengthen technical exchanges to identify suitable applications of metal 3D printing technology in power stations, aiming to improve the performance, durability, and reliability of metal printed components and ultimately reinforce Hong Kong's position as a hub for engineering excellence and sustainable innovation. The partnership also exemplifies how academia and industry can work together to accelerate technological breakthroughs and contribute to the sustainable development in the region.

Project Showcase

Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme featured in UNESCO’s Ocean Decade Progress Report

City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) continues to advance sustainability through the UN-endorsed Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme, an international initiative led by State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health and co-designed with global partners to build a coordinated network for monitoring environmental contaminants in major urbanised estuaries and co-designing pollution reduction solutions for making our oceans cleaner and safer to all.

GEM’s global impact has been recognised in the latest Ocean Decade Progress Report (July 2024 – June 2025) published by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. The programme is highlighted as a case study under Ocean Decade Challenge 1: Marine Pollution, underscoring CityUHK’s leadership in advancing scientific knowledge and supporting the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (Ocean Decade).

Over the past year, GEM achieved significant scientific breakthroughs, including a review published in Environment International which assessed two decades of pharmaceutical pollution and a method paper in Marine Pollution Bulletin which introduced an innovative approach for quantifying contaminants. These advances were complemented by an unprecedented global sampling campaign across 191 estuaries in 51 countries, including seasonal sampling at 60 sites, generating the first comprehensive global dataset of its kind. In addition, the development of novel passive samplers “Artificial Mussels” and “Smart Sponges” had been validated in Hong Kong estuaries, providing innovative solutions for monitoring contaminants of emerging concern around the globe.

Project Showcase Project Showcase

CityUHK receives Sustainable Carbon Neutral Award (Services) in CLP’s Smart Energy Award 2025

City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) received the Excellence Award in the Sustainable Carbon Neutral Award (Services) category at the Smart Energy Award 2025 organised by CLP Power Hong Kong (CLP). This affirms the University’s excellence in promoting carbon neutrality and sustainability.

To improve energy efficiency, CityUHK has replaced traditional control systems with Internet of Things (IoT) Fan Coil Unit (FCU) controllers. These enable data collection, minimum temperature settings, switch and temperature control programming, and temperature reset functions—achieving cross-platform control and real-time monitoring.

Furthermore, CityUHK actively participates in CLP’s “Retro-Commissioning (RCx) Charter Programme”. This Programme provides training for energy managers and helps develop a smart Integrated Building Management System (iBMS) tailored for retro-commissioning practices, further improving campus energy management.

Project Showcase

Promoting sustainable development with newly signed UNCTAD partnership

Sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific Region received a significant boost following a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The MoU was signed at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 14 to 16 November 2024. The new agreement establishes a framework for both parties to explore cooperation and produce constructive collaboration in investment, finance and sustainable development.

CityUHK stood as the sole University Partner for the Trade and Investment House at COP 29. Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President, delivered a keynote speech, “Innovation and Cross-Disciplinary Research in Accelerating Climate Action,” on the role of pioneering research in addressing sustainability challenges. Professor Anderson Shum, Vice-President (Research), presented on “Pioneering Sustainability, Empowering Change and Shaping a Greener Future.”

CityUHK’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences organised the CityUHK-COP29 Transformational Leadership Programme, which provided participants with essential skills and knowledge to drive impactful changes. Professor Ilex Lam, Programme Director, moderated and chaired panels at COP29 on sustainable education and collaborative climate actions for inclusive solutions.

Here are the two articles by Paul Mackintosh featured in Asia Asset Management:

Project Showcase Project Showcase

CityUHK’s team wins at THE Awards Asia 2024

City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) won the Research Project of the Year: STEM at Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2024, the only university in Hong Kong to win this prestigious award this year.

Competing with seven other nominees from other prestigious universities in Asia in this category, the research aims to help solve the twin crises of freshwater and electricity production shortages. The project was led by Professor Steven Wang, Associate Vice-President (Resources Planning) and Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and School of Energy and Environment, and Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy) and Chair Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Systems Engineering. The project showcased a remarkable convergence of expertise -- their collaborative efforts and unwavering dedication have paved the way for innovative solutions that hold great promise for tackling these critical issues head-on.

Mitigating global warming with CityU research students’ award-winning Camel-Fur-Inspired Cooler System

A CityU research team supervised by Professor Steven Wang, Associate Vice-President (Resources Planning) and Professor from Department of Mechanical Engineering, won a Silver Award and the Best Sustainable Solution Award at the 3rd Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards with their novel Camel-Fur-Inspired Passive Sorbent Cooler System (CPSC system). The team strives its best to work on sustainable development and expects the CPSC system to provide cooling for buildings, electronic devices and food preservation, providing an effective way to reduce energy consumption for cooling and reduce carbon emissions.

Project Showcase

Record-breaking nanogenerator for renewable energy

A device that exploits wind flow created by moving vehicles on highways and in tunnels has produced a record-breaking 1,000 volts of renewable energy. Led by Professor Steven Wang, Department of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Energy and Environment, the research team has created a small, easy-to-install wind turbine with fan blades that can be adjusted to match wind behaviour. Installed at the roadside, the technology generates power from the movement of vehicles. In addition, Professor Wang's group has produced related technology that can generate sustainable energy from the pressure of people's footsteps on special flooring where sensors are installed.

Project Showcase

HK Tech 300 with Green Initiatives

Our flagship programme for innovation and entrepreneurship, HK Tech 300, encourages our students, alumni, research staff and other eligible members to launch start-ups at the onset of their entrepreneurship journey. This programme helps to transfer our research results and intellectual properties into practical applications that benefit the wider community.

Several start-ups under HK Tech 300 are infused with green initiatives. They aim to solve environmental problems and provide better pathways for more sustainable living.

HK Tech 300