Communications Office
Published on 20 October 2026
Co-presented by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) and the Hong Kong Culture and Sustainability Centre (HKCUSU), the first day of the Hong Kong Culture and Sustainability Conference 2026 (CU:SU 2026) kicked off successfully at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre of the Academy. The two-day conference (12-13 October) is held under the theme "Alliance for Action", bringing together global cultural leaders, academics, and practitioners to drive practical solutions for sustainable development across arts, culture, and community building.
The conference was graced by The Honourable Bernadette Linn JP, Secretary for Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), who delivered a keynote address on the role of culture in shaping sustainable and resilient communities. The Honourable Kenneth Fok BBS JP, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR also delivered an address. Among the distinguished guests attending the conference was Ms Manda Chan JP, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services.
A key highlight of the first day event was the launch of the Theatre Green Book (Hong Kong) by HKAPA, marking the first Hong Kong adaptation of the internationally recognised framework originally developed in the United Kingdom and widely adopted across Europe and the Americas. As the first Theatre Green Book initiative launched in the Greater Bay Area, the framework provides practical guidance on sustainable production, building management, and venue operations, while offering arts professionals valuable insights into how these principles can be adapted and implemented within Hong Kong’s cultural ecosystem. Developed and introduced by HKAPA, the Theatre Green Book (Hong Kong) reflects the Academy’s strong commitment to embedding sustainability into performing arts education and practice. Beyond serving as a practical resource for the sector, the framework has been integrated into teaching and learning at HKAPA and made freely accessible to theatre-makers, arts organisations and venues, supporting long-term ecological transformation across the wider performing arts community.
Dr Lisa Burger, Co-Founder of the Theatre Green Book, highlighted during the conference: "To drive meaningful change, we must look beyond individual productions to the entire cultural ecosystem — from theatres and educational institutions to policymakers. While a common language allows us to collaborate globally, sustainable solutions must remain flexible enough to adapt to local conditions and practices. Real transformation happens when we empower local communities to take collective ownership of these frameworks."
Download the Theatre Green Book (Hong Kong) – adaptation by HKAPA
