Significance of the Awards and Winning Restaurants

The "Sustainable Restaurant Award 2024" is Hong Kong's first award based on actual carbon footprint assessments, aimed at promoting sustainable development in the restaurant industry and encouraging environmentally friendly and low-carbon practices. The award evaluates participating restaurants based on their actual carbon emissions across six criteria: water, waste, energy, food, transportation, and reusable or disposable items. The average carbon emission calculated was 54 tons per million HKD in revenue. Restaurants with emissions below this average received the Low Carbon Award, while the lowest-emission restaurant was awarded the Sustainable Restaurant Award of the Year.

This year, special emphasis was placed on calculating data from Scope 3 emissions to obtain a more comprehensive view of carbon emissions in the restaurant sector. Research indicates that Scope 3 emissions account for over 70% of total carbon emissions, covering areas such as ingredient sourcing, waste disposal, and transportation. This approach provides a more complete picture of the carbon emission distribution and management within restaurant operations. In total, 42 restaurant brands participated in this year's awards. After rigorous evaluation and auditing, two restaurants recorded carbon emissions of 40 tons per million HKD in revenue, earning them the Sustainable Restaurant Award of the Year. These was awarded to AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited and Forum Restaurant, while the Low Carbon Award winners included CulinArt 1862, Four Seasons Fun Fong, Fufa Life, HKR International Limited, Nuk Café, Ser Wong Fun, Sushi Masa, Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, and Tsui Wah Group (in no particular order).

This ceremony not only showcased the industry's proactive measures in addressing environmental challenges but also established a new standard for sustainable development in Hong Kong's restaurant sector. The organizer hope that these awards will inspire more restaurants to pursue environmentally friendly practices, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce waste. Mr. Kevin Ng, CEO of Innoblock Technology, remarked at the ceremony: "We are thrilled to witness the efforts and achievements of these exceptional restaurants in sustainable development. These award winners have not only made significant strides in reducing carbon emissions but have also set an example in promoting environmental awareness and industry collaboration.