Launch of the Hong Kong Climate Awareness: Public Understanding, Risk Perception, and Readiness for a Low-Carbon Future
The Research Centre for ESG Advancement (“RCESGA”) and the School of Accounting and Finance at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (“PolyU”), in collaboration with Bank of China (Hong Kong) (“BOCHK”), released a joint research report titled Hong Kong Climate Awareness: Public Understanding, Risk Perception and Readiness for a Low-Carbon Future.
Public understanding of climate-related issues and public participation are critical as Hong Kong advances towards its carbon neutrality goals. The research report draws on an online survey of 2,000 adult residents from all 18 districts in the Hong Kong, with quotas applied across age, gender, broad geographical area, education and housing type. It provides an in-depth analysis of public awareness of climate change, perceptions of local climate risks, behavioural responses in daily life, and views on climate policies and green finance.
Based on the survey data, the research team developed and launched the Hong Kong Climate Awareness Index (HKCAI), a composite indicator for assessing climate awareness among Hong Kong residents across three dimensions, including foundational understanding of climate change, awareness of local climate impacts, and perceptions of climate-related risks. Rather than serving as a tool for assessing factual knowledge, the HKCAI provides a structured baseline for identifying differences across population groups, tracking changes over time, and providing data-driven support for public education and policymaking. The HKCAI recorded a mean score of 74.67 out of 100, indicating a certain level of general awareness of climate issues among Hong Kong residents. The index provides a quantitative framework for assessing climate awareness, while highlighting areas where further improvement is needed, underscoring the importance of continued public education and capacity building.
Professor Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said, “Public understanding and participation are essential to the success of Hong Kong’s green transition. This joint study provides evidence that can help turn climate awareness into action. By combining the research capabilities of universities with the expertise and reach of the financial sector, we can support practical, inclusive and trusted pathways towards a low-carbon future.”Professor Qiang Wu, Director of RCESGA and Professor and Associate Head (Research) of the School of Accounting and Finance at PolyU, said, “Public climate awareness should not be viewed as a single score or a fixed condition. It develops through personal experience, access to information, and changes in policy and financial choices. The value of this study lies in providing a basis for observing these changes over time and helping future education, policy and market initiatives respond more closely to Hong Kong’s evolving needs.”
Professor Nan Yang, Associate Professor of Finance at the School of Accounting and Finance, PolyU, said, “Only 23% of respondents selected banks or financial institutions as a preferred source of climate information, while 8% selected schools or universities. These figures point to an important opportunity. Universities generate climate knowledge and educate future professionals, while banks connect climate issues with financing decisions and green financial products. Both can play a stronger role in climate communication by making reliable information more accessible, deepening public understanding and encouraging climate-friendly action.”
Stephen Chan, Deputy Chief Executive of BOCHK, said, “Banks play a vital role in advancing ESG development. As many as 80% of respondents considering banks’ ESG investment important, while about 70% believe that banks can make an even greater contribution to addressing climate change. This underscores the high expectations that society places on financial institutions. BOCHK will continue to play a leading role by offering a broader range of innovative green finance solutions, promoting greater transparency and disclosure, and strengthening its role in climate education. We remain committed to supporting a more sustainable future.”
Released during Hong Kong Green Week 2026, the report has also been featured in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s recap of the week’s key initiatives.
For more information and to download the full report, please visit:
理大聯同中銀香港發佈《香港氣候意識調研：公眾理解、風險感知與低碳未來》研究報告
香港理工大學（「理大」）環境，社會，和治理促進研究中心與會計及金融學院，聯同中國銀行（香港）（「中銀香港」），發佈聯合研究報告《香港氣候意識：公眾理解、風險感知與低碳未來的準備》。
隨着香港正邁向碳中和目標，公眾對氣候議題的認知及參與至關重要。本次研究基於一項涵蓋全港18區、共2,000名成年居民的網上調查，並按年齡、性別、地域、教育程度及住屋類型等因素設定配額，旨在深入探討香港市民對氣候變化的瞭解程度、對本地氣候風險的感知、日常生活中的應對行為，以及對氣候政策與綠色金融的看法。
研究團隊根據本次調查結果，首次構建並發佈「香港氣候意識指數」（Hong Kong Climate Awareness Index, HKCAI），作為評估市民氣候意識水平的綜合指標。該指數涵蓋三大範疇，包括對氣候變化的基本認識、對本地氣候影響的認知，以及對氣候相關風險的理解。HKCAI不僅是一項評估公眾氣候知識的工具，更提供具系統性的基準指標，用以識別不同群體之間的差異、追蹤意識水平的變化，並為公眾教育與政策制定提供數據支持。HKCAI的整體平均分為74.67（滿分為100分），反映香港市民對氣候議題已具備一定程度的整體認知水平。該指數為量化評估公眾氣候意識提供基礎，同時反映部分範疇仍有進一步提升空間，突顯持續推動公眾教育及能力建設的重要性。
理大常務及學務副校長黃永德教授表示：「公眾的理解與參與，對香港實現綠色轉型至關重要。這項聯合研究為推動氣候意識轉化成行動提供實證基礎。通過結合大學的研究實力，以及金融業的專業知識及客戶覆蓋面，我們可共同推動務實、包容且可信賴的低碳未來路徑。」
理大環境，社會，和治理促進研究中心主任、會計及金融學院教授兼副院長（研究）吳強教授表示：「公眾氣候意識不應被視為單一數值或固定狀態。它會隨個人經驗、所獲取資訊，以及政策與理財選擇的改變而逐步發展。這項研究的價值，在於為持續觀察這些變化提供基礎，有助未來在制定教育、政策及市場措施上，更貼近香港社會不斷演變的需要。」
理大會計及金融學院金融學副教授楊楠教授表示：「只有23%受訪者優先選擇銀行或金融機構作為獲取氣候資訊的來源，選擇學校或大專院校的則為8%。這些數字反映了一個重要機遇─大學是氣候知識的搖籃，以培育未來專業人才；銀行則能把氣候議題連結理財決策與綠色金融產品。兩者均可在推動氣候意識中發揮更大角色，透過提供更易獲取的可靠資訊，可深化公眾認識，並鼓勵氣候友善行動。」
中銀香港副總裁陳文表示：「銀行在推動ESG發展中擔當重要角色，高達80%受訪市民認為銀行在ESG領域的投入甚為重要，約70%受訪市民認為銀行在應對氣候變化方面能夠發揮更大作用，這充分反映社會對金融機構的殷切期望。中銀香港會持續發揮引領作用，致力為廣大市民提供更多元及創新的綠色金融產品及服務、更公開及透明的資訊，並積極加強本行在氣候教育中的角色，致力支持可持續未來。」
报告于香港绿色周 2026 期间发布，并获香港金融管理局在其活动回顾中提及。
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