Prof. Dan TSANG and PhD Student ZHANG Yuying Won Bronze Award at Hong Kong Green Innovations Awards 2023
Prof. Dan TSANG and his PhD student ZHANG Yuying, from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, earned the Bronze Award (Second Runner-Up) at the Hong Kong Green Innovations Awards (HKGIA) 2023 for their project titled “Biochar Thermal Insulating Plaster: A Sustainable Building Solution”.
The 2023 HKGIA received 78 entries – five times that of 2011 when the awards were first launched, highlighting the growth of the Hong Kong green industry and the competitive nature of the prestigious award scheme.
The project adopts a groundbreaking approach to integrating carbon-negative biochar derived from local biomass waste into green thermal insulating plaster. This innovative solution not only enhances the thermal insulation properties of construction materials, but also significantly reduces their carbon footprints, offering a scalable solution for urban carbon dioxide removal and sustainable building practices. The project has been implemented through CharCOOL Limited, a start-up founded by Prof. Tsang.
The HKGIA is part of the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE), which, organized by the Environmental Campaign Committee, Environment and Ecology Bureau, as well as nine other organizations, is one of Hong Kong’s preeminent platforms for recognizing innovations that contribute to environmental sustainability.
Dubbed the city’s “Green Oscars”, HKAEE honors exemplary initiatives that drive green innovation and environmental protection. Prof. Tsang’s project epitomizes the significant role that HKUST researchers play every day in pioneering green technologies and fostering impactful collaborations, exemplifying the University’s mission to translate cutting-edge research into practical solutions that address global sustainability challenges.
