Zero carbon building is an innovative approach to building planning and design to address the anthropogenic climate change. However, Dr Wei Pan of The University of Hong Kong said there exist challenges to the achievement of net zero carbon for buildings of high-rise high-density features. Close collaboration among wide-ranging stakeholders is needed to explore effective solutions.
     On 29 September 2017, the Hong Kong Zero Carbon Partnership (HKZCP) convened the fourth public and stakeholder engagement workshop entitled ‘Partnering for a Zero Carbon Future’ at Graduate House of The University of Hong Kong (HKU). Around 50 professionals and stakeholders from the HKZCP’s corporate members participated. The workshop was co-organised by HKU and Construction Industry Council (CIC).
     Prof Thomas Ng of HKU pointed out the importance role of the partnership in transforming the built environment towards sustainability and zero carbon. Dr James Wong, Manager of Research & Development of CIC, elaborated on the CIC’s perspective, emphasized the importance of reducing carbon emissions from buildings and construction fields, and shared CIC’s visions and initiatives on low and zero carbon building. 
     Dr Wei Pan, Project Director of the HKZCP initiative, reported on the achievements of the partnership and outlined the strategic directions of the partnership for discussion. The directions were set around the five themes: namely, (1) zero carbon and smart technology, (2) zero carbon and business, (3) zero carbon and stakeholder engagement, (4) zero carbon and policy, and (5) zero carbon and certification and standards.
     Two sessions of interactive discussion followed, with six groups of participants, five covering the five themes, one for each, and the other discussing on the business plans for following up these directions. The group facilitator or representative reported back to the audience a summary of their group discussion and findings. Prof Sam Chan of HKU summarized all the discussions and called for continuous support from the members and across-industry collaboration via the partnership platform.



(Source: The University of Hong Kong)