HKUST Environment ,Social and Governance Report 2020-21

Table 5 (Material Issues and their importance to HKUST)

Material issues

Description

Relevance to SDGs

Importance to development

Material issues

Description

Relevance to SDGs

Importance to development

Incorporation of UN’s SDGs in decision making

Practices that take into account the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals when considering how to meet the university’s needs.

Goal 17

On-going importance

Climate change and energy consumption

Practices that help to reduce greenhouse gases through energy efficiency and renewables. Practices that aim to use water efficiently and reduce unnecessary water wastage. Practices that help to reduce the amount of trash that goes to the landfill. Practices that help protect the variety of animal and plant species on our campus. Practices that help reduce environmental impacts from restaurant daily operation, sourcing, and providing balanced menu options. An effort to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all HKUST members. An effort to support program development, communications and creative work for and with the HKUST community. An effort to integrate Fairness, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into the university. Practices that take into account socio-economic and socio-environmental criteria during the purchasing process. Practices that value management decisions that are supported by relevant and verifiable data.

On-going importance

Goals 7 and 13

Water conservation

On-going importance

Goal 6

Introduction Materiality Environment, Social and Governance Sustainability initiatives ESG frameworks

Occupational health and safety

An effort to adhere to “best in class” occupational safety

Goal 3

Watch list

and health principles in operations, research, and campus activities. An emphasis on facilitating a teaching and learning environment that develops meaningful pedagogic experiences for students. An emphasis on a hands-on approach to learning that maximizes interactive teaching methodologies to build skills and create memorable experiences. An emphasis on protecting the freedom to teach, study and conduct research without unreasonable interference from public pressure. Practices that aim to transform our campus into a platform for learning, experimenting, and showcasing smart new ideas and approaches that produce sustainable outcomes.

Reduction of waste to landfill

Watch list

Goal 12

Quality teaching and education

Goal 4

Focus area

Biodiversity on campus

Watch list

Goal 15

Dining impact

Watch list

Goal 3

Experiential and hands on learning

Goal 4

Focus area

Community well-being

Goal 3

Focus area

Academic freedom and integrity

Goal 16

Focus area

Community outreach and engagement

Goal 17

On-going importance

Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab

Goal 17

Focus area

F.E.D.I.

Focus area

Goal 10

Responsible consumption

Watch list

Goal 12

Data-driven management

Goal 16

On-going importance

Our Net-Zero Journey

Environmental, Social and Governance Report 2020-21

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