PolyU and BOCHK launch Hong Kong Climate Awareness Index

The Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement (RCESGA) and the School of Accounting and Finance at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with Bank of China (Hong Kong), have released a research report titled Hong Kong Climate Awareness: Public Understanding, Risk Perception, and Preparedness for a Low-Carbon Future. The report also introduces the Hong Kong Climate Awareness Index (HKCAI) for the first time as a composite indicator for assessing the public’s level of climate awareness.

This composite index assesses three core domains: fundamental understanding of climate change, awareness of local climate impacts and comprehension of climate risks. With an overall average score of 74.67 out of 100, the findings indicate a solid baseline of climate awareness among Hong Kong residents. Crucially, the index establishes an objective benchmark for tracking shifts in public sentiment and informing future policymaking.

The report outlines four key findings and recommendations:

1. Disparities in Awareness Across Demographics
   While an overwhelming 95% of respondents acknowledge that climate change is occurring, awareness levels vary considerably. The lowest scores were observed among individuals aged 55 to 64 and those with primary-level education or below. Targeted outreach and public education initiatives will be vital to bridging these demographic gaps.
2. Disconnect Between Awareness and Action
   Approximately 87% of respondents expressed concern about climate change, yet only 53% routinely take low-carbon actions. High costs, a lack of convenience, and scepticism regarding the efficacy of individual efforts were cited as primary obstacles. The government and relevant bodies should focus on lowering the barriers to sustainable living and actively communicating the tangible benefits of individual action.
3. Policy Support Constrained by Affordability
   The public broadly views climate action as a shared responsibility across multiple stakeholders, with support for various climate policies ranging between 77% and 85%. However, when measures involve additional living costs, support varies significantly across income groups. Support among lower-income households (monthly income below HK$15,000) is 62%, compared with 89% among higher-income households (monthly income of HK$120,000 or above), underscoring the need for policy frameworks to balance social equity and economic affordability.
4. Need for Deeper Understanding of Green Finance
   Although 87% of respondents are aware of green finance products and nearly 80% expressed an interest in using them, actual comprehension remains largely superficial. To translate awareness into action, the financial sector should provide clearer and more transparent information on product features, costs and environmental benefits, coupled with competitive incentives to drive adoption.

Prof. WU Qiang, Director of RCESGA, Professor and Associate Dean (Research) of School of Accounting and Finance at PolyU, remarked: "Public climate awareness should not be viewed as a static figure or a fixed state. It evolves with personal experience, information access, and changes in policy and financial options. The value of this study lies in establishing a baseline for tracking these shifts, enabling future educational, policy, and market initiatives to align more closely with the evolving needs of Hong Kong society."

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