The Winners of the Green Building Awards 2023 (GBA 2023) were unveiled and applauded at the Award Presentation Dinner held last Friday (3 November).
This highly esteemed accolade, co-organised by the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) and the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC) biennale, stands as a pinnacle of recognition within Hong Kong, honouring the industry's unwavering dedication and tireless efforts towards creating sustainable built environments biennially.
Themed “Embracing Wellbeing; Excellence in Sustainable Built Environment,” GBA 2023 received overwhelming responses from the industry with a record-breaking number of 147 nominations, marking a 47 percent increase from the last edition.
Among the 117 Finalists, 68 remarkable Award Winners were announced at the dinner, which included 9 Pioneer Awards, 16 Grand Awards, 35 Merit Awards, and 8 Special Citations on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Marking its 9th edition, the Green Building Award was graced by Ms. Bernadette LINN, JP, Secretary for Development, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the Guest of Honour, together with Sr Kenneth YUN, Chairman of the GBA 2023 Organising Committee and the Professional Green Building Council, Dr CHEUNG Tin-cheung, SBS, Chairman of the Hong Kong Green Building Council, and Ar. Joel Chan, Chairman of the GBA 2023 Scientific Committee, recognises the excellence and commends the contribution made by pioneering leaders in the building industry, including developers, construction companies, consultants, facilities management companies, the government, and representatives from various sectors involved in the whole building life cycle.
The Award Presentation Dinner was an evening of grandeur, with over 500 distinguished guests, government officials, and esteemed jurors to celebrate with the Award Winners.
Under the theme “Embracing Wellbeing; Excellence in Sustainable Built Environment,” the Green Building Award 2023 witnessed an exceptional response, surpassing all expectations with a remarkable 47 percent increase in nominations compared to the previous edition, totaling a record-breaking 147 nominations. One hundred and seventeen outstanding projects and organisations were selected as Finalists across five categories, including New Buildings, Existing Buildings, Research and planning, Building Products and technologies, and Green Building Leadership.
Nine Green Building Leadership Pioneer Awards, 16 Grand Awards, and 35 Merit Awards were presented to private and public sectors, which were selected by a Jury Panel comprising 33 International and Local Jurors from various government departments, professional organisations, and academic institutions.
Furthermore, eight projects were honoured with a Special Citation for their remarkable contributions towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their positive impacts on the development of a sustainable built environment.
To honor and recognise excellence in sustainable environment policies and building practices, Sino Group from Developers, Leigh & Orange Limited and Tony Ip Green Architects Limited from Consultants, Hongkong Land (Property Management) Limited and New World Property Management Company Limited from Facilities Management, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited from Government, Institutions & NGOs, China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited from Contractors, Alliance Construction Materials Limited and Schneider Electric (Hong Kong) Limited from Green Products & Technologies Business were awarded the Pioneer Award of Green Building Leadership for their roles in driving the sustainable development of Hong Kong's built environment.
Ms. Bernadette LINN, JP, Secretary for Development, The Government of the HKSAR, remarked, “The Green Building Award recognises excellence in green building design, construction, and operation, showcasing the commitment of stakeholders. This year, the award has garnered significant recognition, breaking records with a high number of nominations across five categories. These nominations represent projects and initiatives that have set new standards for green design, driving the transformation of our built environment towards sustainability. Hong Kong shares a global vision of sustainable development, actively combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions through smart, green, and resilient design strategies. By working collectively, we have the power to foster a city that is greener, more resilient, and harmonious, ultimately improving the quality of life for everyone.”
Sr Kenneth YUN, Chairperson of the GBA 2023 Organising Committee and Professional Green Building Council, remarked, “The Green Building Award 2023 is a recognition of excellence in the sustainable built environment. Since its establishment in 2006, the award has witnessed tremendous growth over the past 17 years. Achieving the record-breaking milestone this year, we see a profound testament to the industry's growing interest and engagement in showcasing outstanding projects. We express our gratitude to the committees, jurors, sponsors, and all those involved in making this event a resounding success. Together, we continue to embrace wellbeing and sustainability, shaping the industry and recognising the dedication of the built environment.”
Dr CHEUNG Tin-cheung, SBS, Chairperson of the HKGBC, expressed his congratulations during the ceremony, stating, “At HKGBC, our mission is to lead the building industry towards a carbon-neutral and sustainable future. We have recently introduced the HKGBC Climate Change Framework For Built Environment and Zero-Carbon-Ready Building Certification to encourage the industry to align with these goals. The Green Building Award 2023, centered around the theme of ‘Embracing Wellbeing; Excellence in Sustainable Built Environment’, acknowledges projects and organisations that contribute to the wellbeing and sustainability of our city. I am delighted to witness the increased quantity and quality of nominations, which reflect the industry's unwavering commitment. Congratulations to the Winners, inspiring us to pursue a brighter future. Let us continue fostering innovation and collaboration to create a greener and more sustainable Hong Kong.”
In a continuous effort to advance sustainability in the built environment, the Green Building Award has introduced the “GBA Elite” initiative since 2019. This initiative aims to honor the exceptional Winners of the Pioneer Award in Green Building Leadership, recognising them as pioneering organisations driving the sustainable development of Hong Kong's built environment.
Additionally, the Award Winners of GBA 2023 will gain an exclusive opportunity to compete for the prestigious World Green Building Council Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards. This exceptional opportunity serves as a catalyst to further enhance the prominence of Hong Kong's outstanding development on a regional scale. It is widely acknowledged that such opportunities foster enhanced communications and collaborations across diverse industries and regions, laying a solid foundation for a sustainable and net-zero future for the coming generations.
The Honourable Guest, Ms. Bernadette LINN, JP, Secretary for Development, The Government of the HKSAR, Honorary Tony TSE Wai-chuen, BBS, JP, Legislative Council Member, Government officials, Green Building Award 2023 Jurors, Organising Committee and Scientific Committee Members, as well as our Green Building Award 2023 Sponsors and other distinguished guests joined together for a group photo after the kick-off ceremony.