The Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development developed the Sustainable Development Planning (SDP) professional qualification curriculum framework, aligned with Level 6 of the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (equivalent to master’s / postgraduate level). It was registered with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and officially became a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Partnership Project (UNDESA Registration No.: 26908).

On 19 November 2017, the first China Circular Economy and Sustainable Development Forum was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, the China Association of Circular Economy, and the Centre for Responsibility and Social Value, Guanghua School of Management, Peking University.

Professor Karen Cheung, Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development and President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association; Mr. Zhao Kai, Vice-President and Secretary-General of the China Association of Circular Economy; Professor Wang Liyan, Director of the Centre for Responsibility and Social Value, Guanghua School of Management, Peking University; together with representatives from the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection of the National Development and Reform Commission and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Centre of the Ministry of Finance, officiated the forum.

Certificates were presented to new Certified Sustainable Development Planners (CSDP®) and Certified Sustainable Development Corporations (CSDC®) at each forum.

The Third Sustainable Development Forum was Jointly organised in Nanjing by the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, the China Association of Circular Economy, and the Centre for Responsibility and Social Value, Guanghua School of Management, Peking University.

Guests of honour included Mr. Feng Xiwang, former Secretary-General of the State Council Information Office and President of the Mainland-Hong Kong-Macao Economic and Trade Exchange Promotion Association; Mr. Zhu Xingxiang, President of the China Association of Circular Economy and former Director-General of the Department of Environmental Impact Assessment, Ministry of Environmental Protection; Professor Zhu Ronglin, former Director of the Shanghai Development Research Institute, Development Research Centre of the State Council; and Dr. Lu Jianzhong, Board Director of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

Mr. Feng Xiwang, Mr. Zhu Xingxiang and Professor Karen Cheung presented certificates to Certified Sustainable Development Corporations (CSDC®) and Certified Sustainable Development Planners (CSDP®).

During the forum, a Special Exhibition on Corporate Actions for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals was held, featuring 16 Certified Sustainable Development Corporations (CSDC®). Mr. Xie Zhenhua, former Vice-Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission and China’s Special Representative for Climate Change Affairs, and Mr. Xu Ming, former Member of the Standing Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, former Vice-Governor of Jiangsu Province and former Vice-Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, visited the exhibition area and provided guidance.

On 23 November 2020, the “Fourth Sustainable Development Forum cum Eco Asia Conference – Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and a Better Future” was successfully held in Hong Kong. It was jointly organised by the UNESCO Hong Kong Association, the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Supporting organisations included the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners, the China Association of Circular Economy, the Mainland-Hong Kong-Macao Economic and Trade Exchange Promotion Association, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong), the Hong Kong Professionals (Beijing) Association, and the Centre for Responsibility and Social Value, Guanghua School of Management, Peking University.

Ms. Margaret Fong, Assistant Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and Professor Karen Cheung, President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, delivered the welcome remarks.

Certificates were presented to Certified Sustainable Development Planners (CSDP®) and Certified Sustainable Development Corporations (CSDC®), and the Selected Compilation of 2020 Sustainable Development Planning Reports was released.

Professor Karen Cheung, President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners, delivered a keynote speech on “ESD for SDGs in Hong Kong” at the IV Asia-Europe Forum on Education, co-organised by the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations (WFUCA), the Asian-Pacific Federation and the European Federation.

Professor Cheung reported to the Forum on the approaches and progress of the UNESCO Hong Kong (HiESD, UHKA and WISDP) in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the continued progress of the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners (WISDP) in promoting Certified Sustainable Development Planners (CSDP®) and Certified Sustainable Development Corporations (CSDC®).

Certified Sustainable Development Planner Examination: Launched the Certified Sustainable Development Planner examination and certification center, opening a new pathway for individuals with relevant professional backgrounds or practical experience to become Certified Sustainable Development Planners (CSDP®) and further expanding the pool of professional SDP talent.

The Greater Bay Area Corporate Sustainable Development Awards, organised by Metro Finance, were supported by the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency and the Hong Kong Green Building Council. “Recognised Sustainable Development Corporation (RSDC)” certificates of the WISDP were presented at each year’s ceremony since 2022.

The Green Finance and Green Logistics professional integration courses of the “ESG × Sustainable Development Planning × Corporate Greenhouse Gas Accounting × Professional Integration” course series were included in the Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme and the Professional Training on Smart and Green Logistics Scheme (PTSGLS).

At the China Pavilion of the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, the 2023 Hong Kong Sustainable Development Innovation and Technology Solutions Compilation was officially released to the world, showcasing Hong Kong’s practical achievements and innovative solutions in green technology and sustainable development planning to the international community.

Organise diverse member continuing professional development activities and sharing sessions, including visits to Lee Kum Kee (Xinhui) Food Co., Ltd.'s low-carbon factory, Guangdong Yixiang Chenpi's 'Zero-Carbon Chenpi' factory, and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, as well as hosting the 'Talk About UN80' sharing session, Lunch & Learn online sharing sessions.