Sustainable Development in Hong Kong

Sustainable Development in Hong Kong provides a unique and pioneering examination of what the application of the ideas of sustainable development implies for Hong Kong with all its exceptional characteristics, political, social, ecological, and especially its very high urban density.

The book brings together, for the first time, a broad cross-section of 21 public and private sector specialists in the many and varied aspects of sustainable development. In so doing, it demonstrates the breadth and depth of local knowledge and expertise in the subject, as well as the wide range of concepts and issues that will have to be considered and interests reconciled, for the concept to be fully implemented in Hong Kong.

Sustainable development has been defined as: “development that meets the needs of today whilst not affecting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Implementing this concept requires that decision-makers from all stakeholder groups (government, business and the public) not only commit to sustainable development, but also incorporate it at every level of decision-making regardless of the political, economic, social, technological, cultural and legal frameworks within which their decisions are made. It also requires that, before doing so, they hear, respect and utilize the input from each other in these decisions.

Sustainable development was placed squarely on the political agenda in Hong Kong through the Chief Executive’s commitment to it in his Policy Address in 1999. This was followed by the adoption of it as an overriding objective in Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy (2001) and the establishment of the Sustainable Development Unit (2001) and the Council for Sustainable Development (2003).

This is a book for all who are concerned about Hong Kong’s environment and about its future development. The exceptional nature of Hong Kong means that this book also provides a valuable extreme case study for all who work in the sustainable development field.