Environment and Sustainability Concentration

In addition to the central aims of the MCG, the Concentration content shall equip students with theoretical and empirical knowledge of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and key environmental issues, while allowing them to gain practical insight from stakeholders dealing with these issues in Hong Kong and Asia. Its specific aim is to:

• Provide students with the understanding of the ESG concept under the framework of UN SDGs
• Introduce students to the diverse methodological and analytical techniques needed to deal with complex issues related to environment and sustainability
• Equip students with the skills required to integrate the ideas pertaining to environmental protection and sustainability into city development and governance refinement initiatives

For those who have opted for the Concentration, upon graduation, they shall be able to:

• Utilise theoretical and methodological approaches to address complex issues related to the environment and sustainability
• Demonstrate critical awareness of the scientific arguments related to climate change and social equality issues
• Effectively articulate their ideas related to ESG strategies and SDGs when communicating with diverse audiences
• Apply their knowledge to tackle the changing social and business landscape

Students enrolling on the MCG programme and selecting the Concentration shall be expected to complete 30 credits (10 courses). Presently, six of the ten required courses in the Concentration already exist as part of the MCG programme. The remaining four are specially designed for the students have enrolled on the Concentration:

Term 1 (September to December)

• MCG501 Cities and Social Change (existing course from MCG, 3 credits)
• MCG505 Smart and Sustainable Cities (existing course from MCG, 3 credits)
• MCG507 Urban Issues and Policies: International Symposium (existing course from MCG, 3 credits)
• SCI502 Climate Change Literacy and Science (course for ES Concentration, 3 credits)
• SCI503 Sustainability and Environmental Communication (course for ES Concentration, 3 credits)

Term 2 (January to June)

• MCG504 Intangible Cultural Heritage and Heritage Conservation (existing course from MCG, 3 credits)
• CRS501 China and Regional Studies: Politics, Policy, and International Development (existing course from CRS with collaborative arrangement with MCG, 3 credits)
• MCG502 Regional Policy Study and Visit in the Greater Bay Area (existing course from MCG, 3 credits)
• SCI504 Urban Ecology and Sustainable Planning (course for ES Concentration, 3 credits)
• SCI505 Introduction to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Planning (course for ES Concentration, 3 credits)

A student who has enrolled on the MCG programme and selecting the Concentration and has successfully completed shall be awarded a Master of Cities and Governance (Environment and Sustainability) [城市與治理(環境與可持續發展)碩士], and the graduation credit and English language requirements follow that of the MCG programme.