The Hong Kong Culture and Sustainability Conference 2026 (CU:SU 2026) will take place at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in October. Themed "Alliance for Action", the two-day programme will shine a light on the ways cultural workers can respond to the need for sustainable development.
Professor Anna CY Chan, Director of the Academy, affirms that sustainable development is the "focus of all focuses" of HKAPA's next 10-year plan. Co-organising the conference is a major step towards consolidating this very strategy, with further measures to follow. She looks forward to collaborating with like-minded professionals every step of the way. Louis Yu Kwok-lit, founder and executive director of the Hong Kong Culture and Sustainability Centre, the other organiser, explains that "alliance" refers to cooperation across different sectors and performing arts professionals, with HKAPA playing a key role.
Last year's inaugural event focused discussion on "Advocacy, Practice and Conservation". This year, the Culture and Sustainability Conference 2026 under the theme "Alliance for Action" – will encourage the cultural sector to respond to sustainability needs by forming international alliances and engaging in cross-disciplinary collaboration, putting concepts into action. Cultural leaders and artists from all over the world will explore enactment approaches and possibilities, covering the performing arts, visual culture, social innovation, community building, and other aspects of the cultural sector. This will be done through dialogue, case-study sharing and workshops.
CU:SU 2026 to Deepen Examination of Issue
Professor Chan notes that sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important in cultural and artistic circles. The second conference aims to shed light on bringing such practices to bear. "The first conference revealed our collective concern about this topic," she notes. "More in-depth dialogue is called for. As industry practitioners, we need to consider how to expand our network and through networking, take action."
As a publicly-funded institution of higher learning, the Academy has a responsibility to promote sustainable development. "HKAPA hopes to take the lead in guiding its management team, students and future artists towards greater awareness of society and the global environment," Professor Chan continues. "The conference will be held at the Academy, where our resources, physical spaces, and network are well-positioned to contribute to its success."
Mr Louis Yu, a veteran arts cultural leader with extensive experience in executive management in Hong Kong, agrees that the Academy is a true pioneer in the region's sustainable cultural development. He is pleased to collaborate with HKAPA again – a partnership that underscores the distinctive features of CU:SU 2026. "It is more than an academic conference," Mr Yu maintains. "We have scholars but also cultural workers with hands-on experience." It is no coincidence that "practice" and "action" are keywords in the conference taglines. This year's edition will be invited to feature eight seminars and a host of workshops. "Local and overseas specialists from different sustainability areas will share actual cases and practical know-how, so participants will be encouraged to try new approaches," he explains.
The session on the Theatre Green Book promises to be particularly fascinating. An industry-wide initiative launched in the United Kingdom, the Theatre Green Book is a free resource that helps the performing arts achieve sustainable practices in production, operation and building management. It provides shared standards and a practical framework to guide cultural groups and venue providers in eliminating waste and reaching net-zero carbon emissions.
Professor Chan observes that while the local arts industry may have heard of the Theatre Green Book, many members may not be aware of its details and applications. The Academy is currently developing a localised version based on its operational and production practices. "The essence is how to apply the ideas in the Hong Kong context," she notes, looking forward to exchanging views with industry professionals on this subject.
Using waste reduction as an example, Mr Yu points out that backdrops and props are often discarded after a single use, mainly due to budgetary constraints, rather than stored for future use. He hopes to share possible solutions and lessons learnt with conference participants. "Everyone feels uncomfortable throwing props away after one use," he concedes. "It's wastage. Some may think sustainable practices are not feasible when resources are scarce. The previous conference introduced many overseas cases to show that sometimes it's about having the right knowledge, not money not entirely anyway."
Professor Chan says the Academy's participation stems from its integration of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its management practices. The SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals designed to achieve a more sustainable future for all.
The Academy has conducted an internal review of its own practices since its foundation. It plans to promote six goals closely tied to its institutional development: good health and well-being; quality education; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; responsible consumption and production; and climate action.
In the coming three to five years, HKAPA will align its milestones with these six goals. This will impact teaching and learning, curriculum reform, production arrangements, and construction. Professor Chan shares her vision. “Nurturing talent for society is our primary mission. As we train future performing artists and cultural leaders, we aim to raise their awareness of sustainability, and that one day, whatever work they create or contribute to will reflect a wish to make the world a better place.”