Sustainable Development
What isSustainable Development?
"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
(Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future, 1987)
Sustainable development calls for concerted efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and planet.
Sustainable Development in Hong Kong
- finding ways to increase prosperity and improve the quality of life while reducing overall pollution and waste;
- meeting our own needs and aspirations without doing damage to the prospects of future generations; and
- reducing the environmental burden we put on our neighbours and helping to preserve common resources.
A sustainable future for Hong Kong would require a change of our mindset to achieve economic and social development with conservation of the environment.
It requires all sectors of the community to work hand in hand in order to achieve a sustainable future for Hong Kong. There are many ways in which you can get involved. You can contribute to sustainability by reducing energy consumption, using less water, and reducing waste.
Guiding Principles on Sustainable Development in Hong Kong
Economy
Hong Kong should achieve a competitive and prosperous market-based economy which provides the resources to meet the needs and aspirations of the population, both now and in the future.
Health and Hygiene
Hong Kong should provide a living and working environment and pursue policies which promote and protect the physical and mental health and safety of the people of Hong Kong.
Natural Resources
Hong Kong should promote the sustainable use of natural resources to minimize its ecological footprint through improving consumption efficiency, minimizing the use of non-renewable resources and re-using, recycling waste and recovering energy from wastes.
Society and Social Infrastructure
Hong Kong should foster a stable, equitable, ethical and progressive society and enable present and future individuals to contribute to and fulfil their potential by providing universal access to adequate and appropriate educational opportunity and social infrastructure.
Biodiversity
To maintain the biodiversity of Hong Kong and to minimize any threat which consumption in Hong Kong may have on biodiversity elsewhere.
Leisure and Cultural Vibrancy
Protect and enhance the vibrancy of Hong Kong’s recreational opportunities, leisure activities, cultural diversity, archaeological, historical and architectural assets.
Environmental Quality
Hong Kong should be pro-active in avoiding environmental problems for present and future generations, seek to find opportunities to enhance environmental quality, and minimize the unwanted side effects, locally, nationally and internationally, of development and inefficiencies such as air, noise and water pollution or land contamination.
Mobility
Hong Kong should provide safe, accessible, efficient and clean transport systems and pedestrian facilities along with an efficient transport network for the movement of goods and facilitation of services for the community.