City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) co-hosted the 8th International Conference – Roadmap to Net Zero with the Energy Institute Hong Kong, serving as one of the pivotal events during the International Energy Week 2025, focusing on renewable energy, green hydrogen, carbon capture and policy transition.

Aligned with the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050, introduced by the HKSAR Government in October 2021, this year’s conference delved into various key topics such as net-zero carbon power generation technologies, green transportation technologies, waste-to-energy solutions, and advanced disruptive technologies with an aim to address the critical challenges of achieving carbon neutrality.

 

In his welcome speech, Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President and University Distinguished Professor, said that the University is deeply committed to sustainability and protecting the environment while the work has been widely recognised worldwide. “Our School of Energy and Environment is dedicated to training future leaders in the energy and environmental fields to address the pressing challenges of achieving a rapidly decarbonising world,” he said. “Our dedication also reflects in the Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024 that CityUHK’s ‘Energy Science & Engineering’ was ranked first in Hong Kong and ninth globally.”

 

Mr Andy Brown, OBE, FEI, President of the Energy Institute, delivered his keynote speech via a pre-recorded video. He stated that climate change is no longer a scientific prediction but an urgent issue that requires multilateral action and leadership, emphasising the importance of navigating the global energy transition.

The conference featured prominent local and international stakeholders to share insights and advancements in cutting-edge technologies, aiming to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange to accelerate sustainable energy solutions in Hong Kong and beyond, update knowledge on advancements in hydrogen and clean energy technologies, safety precautions, and infrastructure needs for achieving net zero, and promote academic and professional exchange on net zero policies, technology development, applications, future challenges, and developments.

Officiating the opening ceremony also included Mr Tse Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology; Ir Edmund Leung Kwong-ho, SBS, OBE, JP, Conference Chairman, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors; and Ir Dr Chan Hon-fai, BBS, Conference Convenor and President of the Hong Kong Institute of Water and Sanitation Safety.

Other CityUHK members who attended the event included Professor Kenneth Leung, Dean of School of Energy and Environment; Professor Michael Leung Kwok-hi, Chair Professor of Renewable Energy of School of Energy and Environment; and Professor Zhang Hua, Herman Hu Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Director of the Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy.