As Hong Kong races toward its carbon neutrality goals, the construction industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. With over 15 million tonnes of construction waste generated annually in 2023, the sector is not only a significant contributor to the city’s environmental challenges but also a powerful driver for change. This panel explores a game-changing approach – the integration of circular economy principles within construction – to re-define sustainability across the entire industry.
Imagine a future where every building is designed to be disassembled, where materials are reused instead of discarded, and where digital platforms track waste flow in real time to close the loop. This session will bring these bold ideas to life!
Through lively debate, real-world case studies, and visionary thinking, the panel will showcase how Hong Kong’s construction industry can transform from a resource-intensive sector into a global leader in circular innovation. Attendees will leave inspired by the possibilities and empowered with actionable strategies to help shape the city’s sustainable future.
Learnings
Post-event Actions
Ar Tony Ip
Chairperson of Materials Aspects / Director
CIC Zero Carbon Park
CIC Zero Carbon Park
Chairperson of Materials Aspects / Director
Tony Ip is a community-centric, sustainable design architect and urban designer. He has 20 years of interior design, architectural, urban design and engineering experience. His passion and contributions to green architecture have been highly recognized by receiving Australia China Alumni Award for Arts and Creative Industries 2018, Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award 2016, EcoStar Award 2014 and HKIA Young Architect Award 2010.
My Sustainability Goals for 2022:
Green architecture is not optional but essential.
Ir Prof. Chi Sun Poon
Director
Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Director
Ir Prof. Chi Sun Poon is currently the Director of Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). He is also one of the Directors of PolyU-NAMI 3D Concrete Robotic Printing Research Centre (RCC3D), the Director of Research Centre for Design for Safety (RCDfS), and Distinguished Research Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, PolyU. He has been awarded the title of Changjiang Chair Professor by the Ministry of Education in 2017. Ir Prof. Poon specializes in the research and development of environmental-friendly construction materials, waste management, waste recycling technologies, concrete technologies and sustainable construction. He has been listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists released by Stanford University and ranked the 4th globally in the field of Building and Construction. Ir Prof. Poon is an Editor of Construction and Building Materials since 2014. He is also an Editorial Board Member of Cement and Concrete Composites since 2017. He has published over 800 papers in international journals and conferences (including 650 international journal papers, 160 referred conference papers, and 7 book chapters). He has obtained more than 20 patents related to concrete and waste recycling technologies. He was awarded the State Technological Innovation Award 2017 (2nd Class).
My Sustainability Goals for 2025
• Adopt the use of low carbon material
• Spend more real effort on addressing climate change
• Develop more climate friendly technology
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) consists of a chairman and 24 members representing various sectors of the industry. The main functions of CIC are to forge consensus on long-term strategic issues, convey the industry’s needs and aspirations to Government, as well as provide a communication channel for Government to solicit advice on all construction-related matters.
Our sustainability goals for 2024:
To strengthen the sustainability of the construction industry in Hong Kong by providing a communications platform, striving for continuous improvement, increasing awareness of health and safety, as well as improving skills development.