The "Green Way 2026: Driving Sustainability Through Innovation" forum, jointly organized by the Office of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macao and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, was recently held in HK, bringing together more than 300 political and business leaders to explore practical pathways for accelerating the city's green transition.
During the event, several industry leaders, including Johannes Hack, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and Mats Nilsson, Vice President of APAC at Volvo Buses, spoke to DotDotNews about a range of key issues, including the next phase of EU–HK cooperation on green technology, the most urgent priorities for advancing innovation-driven sustainable development, and how HK's first five-year development plan can help businesses navigate the green transition.
Asked about the next steps for EU–HK cooperation on sustainability, Hack highlighted the Northern Metropolis development as an excellent showcase for collaboration, saying Europe is ready to bring its latest technologies and fresh ideas to the project. He added that retrofitting existing buildings, promoting a two-way circular economy, and introducing more incentive schemes to encourage public participation in environmental protection are all areas where HK and the EU can work more closely together in the years ahead.
Jacob Graf Lambsdorff, CEO of ALBA W&H Smart City Pte. Ltd, stressed that the partnership is by no means a one-way transfer of expertise. While discussions often focus on the technologies and innovations Europe can bring to HK, he noted that HK also has many outstanding practices that could, in turn, be implemented in the European Union.
On the three most pressing priorities for driving sustainable development through innovation, Lambsdorff offered recommendations from three perspectives. At the government level, he said authorities should establish the right policy framework by introducing enabling regulations that actively promote sustainable development, the circular economy and efficient energy use. At the industry level, businesses should proactively embrace new technologies, new ways of thinking and new business models. From a financial perspective, he argued that expanding green finance and sustainable finance is essential to providing adequate funding for major infrastructure projects.
From the perspective of energy innovation, Behzad Mirzaei, CEO of Basio, proposed three priorities: improving energy efficiency, developing new energy sources that were previously difficult to harness, such as hydrogen, and using technological innovation to make new energy more affordable and accessible, thereby allowing technology to drive further technological progress.
Hack added that, alongside appropriate regulation, incentive measures such as subsidies and tax concessions are equally important, as is raising public awareness that building a green economy is "our shared responsibility."
The interviewees were broadly optimistic about HK's vision of becoming a greener and better city by 2030. Ian Walter, CEO of Net Feasa, said he hopes to see more electric vehicles and more green spaces across the city, making HK cleaner and more environmentally friendly. Nilsson went even further, saying: "Zero accidents, zero congestion, zero emissions and zero noise. That's the kind of city I envision HK becoming."
Commenting on the HKSAR Government's ongoing public consultation on HK's first five-year development plan, Hack observed that the government has been attentive to the views of the business community and has shown strong support for the green transition. He believes the plan should be used to establish a clearer legal framework that further encourages the circular economy and sustainable development.
Expressing confidence in HK's green future, he said the city's high density, operational efficiency, robust economic development and government support position it well to become a leader in many aspects of the green transition.
(Reporter: Zoey SUN; Cameraperson & Video Editor: Felicia LI)
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