The Nature Rescue mobile app, co-launched by Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) and Green Power, has been comprehensively upgraded into an interactive platform that mobilizes individuals and organizations to actively participate in nature clean-up efforts. Leveraging the app’s new features, over 100 primary and secondary school students, volunteers, and partners recently joined forces at Tung Chung Bay on Lantau Island for a large-scale clean-up, removing approximately 173 kilograms of waste and recyclables.

Nature Rescue is Hong Kong’s first mobile app dedicated to countryside and coastal clean-up, designed to assist the public in organizing and participating in such activities. It has recently undergone a major upgrade, optimizing existing features and adding new ones. A key enhancement allows trusted green partners to use the online platform to initiate, organize and promote clean-ups, recruit and communicate with volunteers, and facilitate group messaging.

Led by SHKP Executive Director Christopher Kwok, Director of Environmental Protection Dr Samuel Chui, and Green Power Activator Dr Man Chi Sum, the clean-up activity brought together many guests and volunteers, including four green partners, namely, A Plastic Ocean Foundation, Hong Kong Cleanup, Plastic Free Seas and Sea Education Association; three voluntary organizations – the Agency for Volunteer Service, Hong Kong Christian Service Bliss OPlus (elderly centre) and SHKP Volunteer Team; and two schools – HKMA David Li Kwok Po College and Po Leung Kuk Castar Primary School.

Mr Kwok said: “With over 1,100 kilometres of coastline, maintaining the cleanliness of Hong Kong’s coastal environment year-round is a challenge that cannot be shouldered by the government, individuals, or any single organization alone. That’s why SHKP has proactively taken the lead in mobilizing the public and collaborating with trusted partners to protect nature together. Over the years, SHKP has implemented a ‘three-step strategy’ to support clean-up efforts. First, we launched the SHKP Love Nature Campaign in 2011, leading by example through hands-on clean-ups. Then, in 2018, we launched Nature Rescue app, creating a platform that unites clean-up activities occurring at different times and locations across districts, rallying and connecting like-minded individuals. Now, with Phase Three—the upgraded Nature Rescue—we are empowering our green partners to host activities and further expand community engagement.”

Dr Chui stated, “The Environmental Protection Department is committed to raising public awareness of nature conservation through education and community engagement. To maintain clean coastlines in the long term, the most crucial and effective approach is ‘waste reduction at source’. The current government has made unprecedented efforts in this area, resulting in a continuous decline in waste disposal since 2021 – a total reduction of 7.5% over the past three years. Our recycling rate has also risen from a low of 28% in 2020 to 33% in 2023. Visits to our community recycling network, GREEN@COMMUNITY, have exceeded 12 million, an 80% increase over 2023, with the weight of collected recyclables rising by nearly 60% year-on-year. Initiatives like clean-up activities not only strengthen community cohesion but also allows participants to personally experience the beauty of Hong Kong’s ecology and engage more in waste reduction at source.”

Dr Man noted, “Since 2018, Nature Rescue has achieved excellent results, organizing over 270 clean-up activities with more than 7,800 participants, collecting over 25 tonnes of waste and recyclables.” He also revealed plans to launch eco-hiking tours that incorporate eco-learning elements into clean-up efforts, featuring expert-led sessions to share ecological knowledge. The programme will also offer equipment rental services to support those who wish to the conservation efforts but lack the necessary gear. 

Over the past year or so, Nature Rescue has added multiple new features including a real-time group chat for participant interaction and a QR code check-in system to simplify event check-in. Green partners have praised these upgrades, noting how the all-in-one platform significantly improves event planning, promotion, and volunteer recruitment.

The upgraded Nature Rescue has achieved remarkable results, organizing 71 clean-up activities last year (a 50% year-on-year increase) and attracting about 2,500 participants (a nearly 70% year-on-year increase). Volunteers removed more than 7,000 kilograms of waste, far exceeding the 2,400 kilograms collected in 2023.

Nature Rescue earlier partnered with SHKP’s The Point, an integrated shopping mall loyalty programme, enabling The Point members to earn redeemable points by participating in conservation activities, integrating leisure, healthy living, and environmental protection into everyday life.
 

Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) is pleased to announce that it has received a rating of AA in the MSCI ESG Ratings assessment in 2025. The upgrade from an A rating to AA demonstrates SHKP’s strong performance in environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, including green building development, occupational health & safety and business ethics. SHKP is also a constituent of the MSCI ACWI ESG Universal Index.

SHKP has been recognized by major ESG ratings and indexes over the years. In addition to the MSCI ESG Ratings, the Group has maintained the highest AAA rating in the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index since 2020. SHKP is also listed in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Asia Pacific Index, the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook and the S&P Sustainability Yearbook (China). 

Recently, SHKP’s landmark development, International Commerce Centre, became the first building in Asia to attain Platinum certification under the latest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v5.0 Operations and Maintenance: Existing Buildings, by the U.S. Green Building Council, demonstrating SHKP's outstanding performance in green building development.

The MSCI ESG Ratings are prominent ESG indicators designed to help institutional investors assess companies’ ESG performance.

Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) is proud to announce that its International Commerce Centre (ICC) has become the first building in Asia to attain Platinum certification under the latest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v5.0 Operations and Maintenance: Existing Buildings by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). ICC achieved a score of 91, the highest among seven certified buildings worldwide, underlining SHKP’s commitment to sustainable building practices and property management excellence.  

King-wai Lo, Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency, said: “As Hong Kong’s premier international commerce and financial hub, ICC embodies SHKP’s commitment to developing forward-thinking strategies that consistently enhance asset value. With sustainability becoming a core priority for multinational corporations, ICC is proud to be the first building in Asia to achieve the highest distinction in LEED v5.0 certification. This recognition reinforces ICC’s leadership in green building practices and is fully aligned with the sustainability expectations of our world-class tenants, further strengthening ICC’s position as a market leader.”

Adjacent to ICC, International Gateway Centre (IGC), which is atop the High Speed Rail West Kowloon Terminus, previously obtained LEED Platinum certification under v4.0 Building Design and Construction. IGC is poised to create synergy with ICC and the Group’s other developments in the district, establishing a unique hub for commerce, culture, arts, retail, entertainment and transportation in the Greater Bay Area.

ICC utilizes technology to drive green management

In 2022, ICC implemented an Extended Reality Facility Management system in its operations. The system utilizes technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things, Digital Twin and big data analytics. In 2024, ICC’s total electricity consumption decreased by over 20 million kWh compared to that 2012, equivalent to a reduction of 14,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. ICC further enhanced energy efficiency by deploying AI-driven optimization and energy management for its air conditioning systems. 

LEED v5.0 sets higher standards for green buildings, emphasizing three key goals: climate action, quality of life, and ecological conservation and restoration. Apart from addressing energy efficiency and carbon emissions, it also emphasizes the protection of human health and ecosystems, ensuring that operations are resilient to future environmental changes and aligned with net-zero emissions goals. This approach fosters healthier communities and enhances overall well-being.