News & Stories

Tropical marine low clouds play a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate. However, whether they mitigate or exacerbate global warming has long remained a mystery. Now, researchers from the School of Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a groundbreaking method that significantly improves accuracy in climate predictions. This led to a major discovery – that tropical cloud feedback may have amplified the greenhouse effect by a staggering 71% more than previously known to scientists. The effects of tropical low clouds are difficult to investigate because they are influenced by a variety of factors. Commonly used low cloud controlling factors often struggle to separate the influence of local sea surface temperatures (SSTs) from that of temperatures in the free troposphere – the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, casting uncertainty in projections.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) have signed a collaborative framework agreement to drive innovation in meteorological science and education. By leveraging the complementary strengths of CMA and HKUST, the collaboration aims to enhance early warning systems, strengthen disaster preparedness, and build climate-resilient communities, underscoring the shared commitment of both institutions to tackle global climate challenges and support the initiatives of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 

(Originally written and published by Times Higher Education) During the 2024 THE Global Sustainable Development Congress, experts discussed a holistic approach to climate change early-warning systems The record heatwave taking place in Thailand has already killed more than 60 people since the start of 2024. The climate emergency in the country, and elsewhere, is increasingly severe and pressing. During a recent discussion at the 2024 THE Global Sustainable Development Congress in Bangkok, representatives from international organisations, academia and community-based social support groups came together to examine the creation of early-warning systems to alleviate climate and health crises.

Three research projects led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) were awarded a total funding of HK$212.5 million by the Research Grants Council (RGC)’s Areas of Excellence (AoE) Scheme and the Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS) 2024/25, the highest funding amount among all local universities. It also marks a record-high result for the University.  The three studies cover a wide array of aspects, including a frontier and human-centric AI and robotics technology for geriatric care, the development of “Hong Kong Coastal Twin” for management of extreme weather on coastlines, as well as a technological approach to enhance Hong Kong’s role in sustainable supply chains. 

President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Prof. Nancy IP was among the esteemed global leaders and personalities attending the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland to address some of the most substantive issues facing our world today. Prof. Ip added her unique perspective to vibrant discussions on healthy aging, climate change, the integral role of universities in fostering advancements in sustainability, and AI research and education.  

HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP (sixth right), Head of Charities (Positive Ageing and Elderly Care) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr. Bryan WONG (fifth left), HKUST Provost Prof. GUO Yike (fourth left), and other senior management of HKUST inaugurate the three JC STEM Labs with three HKUST Global STEM Professors, namely Prof. ZHOU Xiaofang, Prof. XIE Ting and Prof.

With the help of HKUST’s exciting satellite remote sensing technology and data advances, School of Engineering faculty are seeking more accurate weather forecasts and greater understanding of climate change to enable more effective planning and decision-making by policymakers, companies and individuals.

In recent years, Hong Kong has experienced a series of extreme weather events. In July 2022, the scorching heat broke 11 records, while in 2023, the city experienced hourly rainfall of 158.1mm, the highest since records began in 1884. An inter-university research team by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and the University of Hong Kong (HKU) conducted a study on extreme weather events and their impacts on the built environment in Hong Kong, aiming to assess the trends and effects of extreme weather events under the influence of global climate change. Projected increase of 50% in hot nights and over 40% in extreme rainfall in 2040-2049