Hong Kong's Environmental Performance Report 2026 Highlights Significant Improvements in Air and Water Quality

EPD releases Environmental Performance Report 2026 and 2025 environmental annual reports

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (June 5), coinciding with World Environment Day, released the Environmental Performance Report 2026 along with the 2025 annual reports on Hong Kong's air quality, marine water quality, and river water quality. The reports outline the EPD's achievements over the past year in implementing measures to improve environmental quality, deepening regional co-operation, and enhancing external exchanges, while summarising the overall status of Hong Kong's key environmental indicators in 2025.

Environmental Performance Report 2026

In review of 2025, the EPD achieved significant milestones across various sectors, including water quality, environmental assessment, and innovative technologies, in which the EPD has received both domestic and international recognition.

In December 2025, Hong Kong's Mirs Bay was selected as a national "Outstanding Example of Beautiful Bays" with an excellent overall score. This marks the first time the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has received the national commendation, affirming the efforts of the HKSAR Government in marine environment protection and ecological conservation, and highlighting Hong Kong's significant achievement of active participation in the joint building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a beautiful bay area.

The EPD continues to advance the application of innovative technologies, garnering widespread acclaim. Last year, the Territory-wide Sewage Surveillance Programme, co-developed by the EPD, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) and the Department of Health, won the Grand Award in the Innovation Category (2010-Present) of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers' 50th Anniversary Legacy Award. This recognises the team's innovative model of using technology to safeguard public health and environmental wellness. Furthermore, the Hong Kong Environmental Database (hked.epd.gov.hk/en/homepage), developed by the EPD, won several domestic and international awards. These include the Best Smart Environment Award and the Grand Award at Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2025, showcasing excellence in integrating cutting-edge technology with environmental governance. Additionally, the EPD's AI Environmental Air Nuisance Investigation Robot Dog (AI Dog) won the Gold Award at the HKMA/HKT Global Innovation Award. Utilising AI for on-site monitoring, the AI Dog has significantly improved enforcement efficiency and overcome previous technical limitations in nuisance investigations.

The EPD has also remained proactive in resolving long-standing environmental issues through technology and inter-departmental collaboration. A dedicated task force comprising the EPD, the DSD and the Buildings Department, has successfully tackled sewerage misconnections in Sham Shui Po. This collaborative effort earned the Ombudsman's Awards 2025 for Teams of Public Organisations, recognising cross-departmental collaboration and professional spirit.

Hong Kong's air quality continues to improve

The report indicates that overall air quality in 2025 remained good and broadly complied with Hong Kong's Air Quality Objectives. Owing to the sustained emission reduction efforts of the HKSAR Government over the years, Hong Kong's air quality has continued to improve over the past 20 years, resulting in an over 50 per cent reduction in long-term health risks.

From 2004 to 2025, the annual average concentrations of respirable suspended particulates (PM10), fine suspended particulates (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) in the ambient air have reduced significantly by 45 per cent to 88 per cent, whereas the annual average concentrations of these pollutants at the roadside have reduced by 37 per cent to 83 per cent. The annual average concentration of ozone (O3) has also gradually turned steady in the past few years. The number of hours of reduced visibility has greatly reduced by 83 per cent from its level in 2004.

The EPD launched the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) in 2014 to provide the public with daily updates on short-term health risks of air pollution, enabling individuals to take necessary precautions to safeguard their health. In 2025, the percentage of hourly AQHI readings below seven (i.e. within the "low" or "moderate" health risk categories) recorded by general and roadside monitoring stations improved from 96.1 per cent and 92.1 per cent when the index was first launched in 2014 to 98.4 per cent and 98.6 per cent, respectively.

Hong Kong's environmental water quality continues to improve

In 2025, river water quality continued to be satisfactory and stable, with the overall Water Quality Objectives (WQO) compliance rate reaching 89 per cent. A substantial 81 per cent of river monitoring stations achieved a Water Quality Index (WQI) grading of "Good" or "Excellent", a significant leap from 26 per cent in 1987. This progress reflects the notable success of the Government's pollution control and river management measures implemented over the past three decades. As pollutant loads entering rivers continue to decline, Hong Kong's rivers have successfully sustained their long-term trend of water quality improvement.

In 2025, the overall compliance rate for marine WQOs was 74 per cent, which was lower than in previous years, primarily due to exceptional weather conditions. The summer of 2025 was abnormally hot, with the frequency of tropical cyclones and heavy rainstorms reaching record highs (with a total of 14 Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals and over 20 Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signals issued), leading to persistent natural stratification of seawater, which reduced dissolved oxygen levels and resulted in a decline in the compliance rate for relevant water quality indicators. Given that these circumstances were driven by short-term meteorological and natural factors, the long-term improving trend of marine water quality remains intact.

With the overall improvement in Hong Kong's environmental water quality in recent years, the triathlon event of the 15th National Games was successfully held in November 2025 at the Central Harbourfront Event Space and Victoria Harbour, with water quality meeting the stringent standards required for the competition. Hosting such a major national sporting event in the core of a busy harbour marks a remarkable achievement in Hong Kong's efforts to enhance its environmental water quality.

An EPD spokesperson said, "The progress made in 2025 is a testament to the collective efforts of the Government and all sectors of the society. Looking ahead, Hong Kong will continue to leverage its unique strengths and expertise to promote regional co-operation. We are committed to continuously enhancing our environmental governance and working hand-in-hand with the community to create a greener and more sustainable future."

For the Environmental Performance Report 2026, please visitwww.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/resources_pub/publications/pub_reports_ap.html. For the 2025 annual reports on Hong Kong's air quality, marine water quality and river water quality, please visitwww.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/resources_pub/publications/pub_reports_mr.html.

Source: AI-found images

CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case epidemiologically linked to "Hutong"

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (June 5) that it is investigating a confirmed locally acquired Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case epidemiologically linked to the two cases involving in "Hutong" announced on May 25. The CHP has been closely following up on the investigation, including attempting to contact individuals who visited the premises on or after May 1, providing them with health education and continuing to conduct medical surveillance. The CHP urged the public to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccinations.

Case details

—————

The case involves a 52-year-old male who reported to have high-risk contact at a premises called "Hutong" on Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, on May 2 (during the incubation period). He developed a non-pruritic and painless rash over his genital area on May 21, followed by a fever and sore throat on May 25, and a subsequent rash eruption over his upper limbs, chest, and anal region. The CHP made several attempts to contact the patient between the end of May and the beginning of June, but had failed to reach him. The CHP thus sent him a text message. The patient attended the Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic on June 4 to seek medical treatment and reported relevant high-risk contact history to the healthcare workers. The CHP subsequently arranged for him to receive isolation treatment at the Yan Chai Hospital. The patient is currently in stable condition. His samples tested positive for Monkeypox virus upon laboratory testing by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP.

According to the information provided by the patient, he has not received Mpox vaccination. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and endeavouring to contact individuals who had high-risk contact with him. The CHP will report the case to the World Health Organization.

Follow-up on the "Hutong" cases in Mong Kok

———————————————

The CHP continues to follow up on the investigation of the cases in "Hutong", and has now successfully contacted around 300 persons who have visited the premises on or after May 1. No other cases have been identified so far. The CHP has provided them with health education and continued to conduct medical surveillance. The CHP again urges anyone who visited the premises on or after May 1 to call the CHP's designated Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373), so that the CHP can provide health assessments and advice. The hotline operates daily from 9am to 6pm. As investigations are still ongoing, the premises has been closed temporarily starting from May 26.

Furthermore, the CHP will collaborate with Hong Kong AIDS Foundation to launch an outreach Mpox vaccination activity in the next two weeks at the organisation's service centre in Mong Kok. Eligible high-risk groups (especially men who have sex with men) can make an appointment on the organisation's website.

Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 88 Mpox cases (71 local cases and 17 imported cases), including the above-mentioned case. All patients were males. Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had history of high-risk sexual behaviour, including having sex with strangers or having sex without wearing condoms.

Mpox vaccine

-----------------

Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for highrisk groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:

individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;

healthcare workersresponsible forcaring forpatients with confirmed Mpox;

laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and

animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in caseof Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.

High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH's SocHS (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH's Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre.

Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.

For more details, please visit the CHP's page onMpoxandMpox Vaccination Programme.

Source: AI-found images