HKUST Annual Report 2023-2024

47 HKUST Annual Report 2023-2024 Sustainable Horizons Ranked No.1 in Hong Kong and Mainland China in THE Impact Rankings 2024 International Driver of Sustainability HKUST’s pace-setting commitment to the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) at home and beyond was highlighted globally by the University’s notable debut at No.19 worldwide and No.1 in Hong Kong and Mainland China in the Times Higher Education (THE)’s 2024 Impact Rankings. The rankings assessed over 2,000 universities from 125 countries and regions to identify universities that excel across multiple SDGs, with HKUST recognized for its significant contributions to SDGs 9, 11, and 12. These goals focus respectively on innovative construction of resilient infrastructure and industry, promotion of sustainable cities, and driving responsible consumption and production patterns. In other leadership activities, HKUST invited top global universities to join a joint declaration driving carbon neutrality by turning their campuses into “Living Labs” for innovation. Fifteen universities from five different geographical regions made the pledge at the major Global Sustainable Development Congress in Thailand in June 2024. The Living Lab approach was inspired by the University’s own concept, implemented at the Clear Water Bay campus in 2019 under the Sustainable Smart Campus (SSC) initiative. Initially launched with a HK$50 million University grant, SSC has to date supported 41 Living Lab initiatives from HKUST community members and over 20 seed projects, ranging from algae-based carbon capture to student sleeping pods for well-being. Projects have involved over 850 students, 250 faculty members, and drawn 650 visitors to campus over the past five years. Several received leading awards at the 49th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions 2024 while incubated start-ups include TerraGreen Ltd. (eco-bricks), and Coalot Tech (multifunctional nanocoating). To further advance HKUST’s sustainability impact in Hong Kong and our region, the program is now also working closely with start-ups to facilitate research collaboration with HKUST faculty to create innovative Living Lab programs on campus. The Joint Declaration on Embracing a Living Lab Approach to Promote Carbon Neutrality further strengthens HKUST’s high-impact sustainability network, which includes membership of the International Sustainable Campus Network, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, and Hong Kong Sustainable Campus Consortium, among others.