Green employment has become a global trend. To further promote the sustainable development of society and tackle the climate crisis, various governments have committed to developing green markets and to leading the increase in the number of green jobs and relevant practitioners. 

Green employment in Hong Kong is catching up with this development. While support measures have been provided, this is still in its infancy. Against this background, our study aims to explore the issue and how to promote the development of green employment in Hong Kong as a career option for young people. Through on-site surveys, interviews with experts and academics, and the working experiences shared by young people in the green industry, this study seeks to provide options for the development of green employment in Hong Kong and, with it, new employment opportunities for young people.

This study collected data between September and December 2023, by reviewing literature, conducting onsite surveys with 526 Hong Kong youths aged 18-34, 15 local youths known to be working in the green industry, and interviewing five subject-matter experts and academics.

1. Green employment has become a global trend. Various countries are committed to addressing the challenge of climate change, consequently stimulating the demand for green employment. However, the current green employment measures in Hong Kong appear piecemeal and short-term in nature; the city also lacks a long-term plan for green employment, which is not conducive to its development.
2. Green employment in Hong Kong is in its early stages, that lacks a definition and categorisation of green jobs. Given the increasing demand in this area, there is a need to provide a clearer definition of green jobs.
3. Many of the young people interviewed had low levels of awareness, interest and confidence in green jobs as the concept has not been widely understood. Given this insufficient knowledge, young people are accustomed to choosing relatively traditional occupations. There is, therefore, a need to address the confidence in green employment among young people.
4. There are two major constraints to the development of green jobs: the lack of a social climate and inadequate policies and accompanying support.
   1. Lack of a social climate is attributed to the concepts related to green development have yet to be promoted. The public’s low level of awareness of green job discourages their willingness to work in green industries.
   2. Inadequate policies and accompanying support are not conducive to the development of green employment. Both traditional and emerging green industries in Hong Kong have different constraints that need to be addressed. The Green Employment Scheme is worth continuing to better support green employment.
5. Adopt two key measures to explore the building of a green talent pool. This could be achieved through educating the workforce and promoting certification for green professionals.