Jockey Club supports upgrade of HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm to promote sustainable lifestyles among young people through smart agriculture

To strengthen Hong Kong’s capacity to address climate challenges and help young people better understand the links between food, resources and climate change, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust approved a donation of HK$83 million to support The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups in implementing the Jockey Club Climate Smart Agriculture Educational Project. The project includes the redevelopment and enhancement of the HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm in Pat Heung, Yuen Long, within Tai Lam Country Park. The upgraded farm combines organic and smart farming with environmental education and serves as an experiential learning platform, offering young people hands-on opportunities to explore sustainable living.

Diane Wong, Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR Government (4th right); Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th left);Jonathan Chan (3rd left) and Mark Chong (2nd right), members of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR; Mickey Lai, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (2nd left); and Imma Ling, President of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (3rd right), officiate at the opening ceremony of the HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm officially reopened today (31 October) following the completion of redevelopment work. Officiating guests included Diane Wong, Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR Government; Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Jonathan Chan and Mark Chong, Members of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR; Mickey Lai, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation; and Imma Ling, President of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo said: “Through its support for the redevelopment and enhancement of the HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm, the Club hopes to inspire young people to harness technology to tackle climate challenges, value food and natural resources, and make more sustainable choices in their everyday lives. Looking ahead, the Club will continue to advance sustainability as one of its impact programmes. Through cross-sector collaboration, innovation and community education, the Club will promote carbon and waste reduction, support biodiversity conservation, and enhance the community’s resilience to climate change.”

Guests tour the HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Covering approximately 160,000 square feet, the HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm features energy-efficient equipment, rainwater collection and renewable energy systems, as well as smart-farming technology. Visitors can join guided educational tours, workshops, outreach activities and open days. They can plant crops, track their growth and follow the journey from farm to table, gaining first-hand insight into the connections between agricultural technology, climate change and sustainable living. The project is expected to reach approximately 90,000 students and members of the public over three years.

Guests tour the HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

As the first venue approved by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to participate in its “Farm+ Scheme”, the farm supports the objectives of the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries and aligns with Hong Kong’s policy directions on carbon neutrality and environmental education. By encouraging sustainable lifestyles and public participation, the farm contributes to a greener and more resilient future.

Guests tour the HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Climate Smart Agriculture Educational Project and HKFYG Jockey Club Organic Farm, like all its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.

Established by HKU Business School with funding from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute (“the Institute”) advances research, knowledge exchange, talent development and cross-sector collaboration in enterprise sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG). The Institute today (22 October) convened the “2026 Sustainability Forum: Global Leadership Dialogue” at the West Kowloon Cultural District. The forum brought together more than 200 leaders and experts from industry, academia and government worldwide to exchange perspectives on environmental and social challenges arising from sustainable development, and to explore practical pathways for translating expertise into viable solutions. The forum was also livestreamed, extending the discussions to audiences in Hong Kong and beyond.

The HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute convened the “2026 Sustainability Forum: Global Leadership Dialogue.”

Officiating at the opening ceremony was The Hon Mrs Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council of the HKSAR; Dr Henry Chan, Club Steward; Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong; and Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School, among other guests. Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium and former Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), was also invited to attend the event and deliver the opening keynote address.

Also delivering a speech, Dr Henry Chan, Club Steward, said: “Sustainability has become an increasingly important lens through which the Trust strives to improve livability and long-term well-being in Hong Kong, as one of its nine impact programme areas. [At today’s forum] we will learn about turning knowledge into action by deepening cross-sector partnerships, nurturing the next generation of sustainability leaders and developing practical solutions that deliver lasting benefits for society.”

Dr Henry Chan, Club Steward, delivers a speech at the 2026 Sustainability Forum.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, The Hon Mrs Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council of the HKSAR, said that impact investing should go beyond financial performance assessment. It should channel capital into livelihood and green sectors, such as healthcare and clean energy, so as to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth that balances social value and financial return.

The Hon Mrs Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-official Members, Executive Council of the HKSAR, delivers a speech at the 2026 Sustainability Forum.

Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium and former Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, delivered the opening keynote address. He explored how sustainability co-operation can endure in the global economy through pragmatic, self-interest-driven action that prioritises interoperability over uniformity in standards and accounting.

Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium and former Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, delivers the opening keynote.

The HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute was established in 2024 with an approved donation of over HK$426 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Reflecting the Trust’s commitment to fostering cross-sector collaboration, knowledge exchange and talent development, the Institute brings together academia, industry and policymakers to advance sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. Positioned as a knowledge hub connecting Hong Kong with Asia and the wider world, it promotes capacity building and stakeholder engagement, while supporting the translation of research and innovative ideas into practical solutions to complex environmental and societal challenges and contributing to Hong Kong’s long-term sustainable development.

As part of the initiative, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships were established, comprising four endowed professorship positions across the fields of Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship, and Accounting. By bringing distinguished international scholars to Hong Kong, the initiative strengthens research excellence, promotes knowledge exchange and helps translate academic insights into practical policy recommendations and solutions that contribute to a more livable, resilient, and sustainable society.

Attending the opening ceremony of 2026 Sustainability Forum are The Hon Mrs Regina Ip, Convenor of the Non-official Members, Executive Council of the HKSAR (centre); Dr Henry Chan, Club Steward (right); and Professor Xiang Zhang, President and ViceChancellor of the University of Hong Kong (left).

The Club’s support for the Institute, like all its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.