HKUST Annual Report 2021-2022

43 HKUST Annual Report 2021-2022 and helped set a solid foundation for preparations for the launch of the Hong Kong government’s Municipal Solid Waste Charging Scheme in 2023. In line with the move, the University formed a working group to get the campus ready for the charging scheme. The working group will implement pilot programs for campus housing, catering outlets, and offices, and raise awareness of the need for waste reduction at source and separation for recycling.  Energy The energy goal of the 2028 Sustainability Challenge is to achieve a 15% reduction in overall energy consumption compared with the 2014 baseline by 2028. Over the past year, energy-saving projects on campus saw the adoption of smart lights with gradual dimming performance in common areas, smart thermostats to control local air-conditioning, and wireless energy meters linked to a dashboard displaying real-time energy usage. Good progress was also made on the mega solar panel installation project on campus, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. The system can generate up to three million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity every year.