PolyU and BOC Hong Kong Launch Hong Kong Climate Awareness Index at 74.67 Points
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Bank of China Hong Kong jointly released the Hong Kong Climate Awareness Index on September 9, 2026, with an overall average score of 74.67 out of 100, indicating a moderate level of climate awareness among Hong Kong residents. The index, covering basic climate knowledge, local climate impact awareness, and climate risk understanding, reveals significant disparities across demographic groups while identifying a notable gap between awareness and actual behavioral change.
Key Points
- The Hong Kong Climate Awareness Index (HKCAI) was jointly developed by PolyU's Environment, Society and Governance Promotion Research Centre and School of Accounting and Finance, together with BOC Hong Kong
- The overall average score of 74.67 out of 100 reflects a certain level of climate awareness, though approximately 95% of respondents believe climate change is occurring
- The 55-64 age group and those with primary school education or below scored lowest among their respective categories
- While 87% of respondents expressed concern about climate change, only 53% stated they consistently take action to reduce their personal carbon footprint
- Green finance products showed strong potential: 87% of respondents were aware of such products and 79% expressed willingness to use them, though this reflects acceptance rather than actual demand
- Seven examined policy measures received 77% to 85% public support, but support dropped to 62% among households earning below HK$15,000 monthly when costs were involved, compared to 89% for households earning HK$120,000 or more
Why It Matters
The HKCAI provides a systematic benchmark for tracking Hong Kong's climate awareness over time and identifying gaps among different demographic groups, enabling more targeted public education and policy design that balances climate objectives with affordability and equity concerns .
The HKCAI provides a systematic benchmark for tracking Hong Kong's climate awareness over time and identifying gaps among different demographic groups, enabling more targeted public education and policy design that balances climate objectives with affordability and equity concerns .