In an article on Mainland China’s improved air quality during its earlier lockdown, Assistant Professor HE Guojun from the Division of Environment & Sustainability (ENVR) said while lockdowns could bring short-term positive health impacts, the long-term health costs arising from limited health care access for chronic patients during the lockdown is also significant. His earlier research published in Nature Sustainability which estimated that about 24,000 to 36,000 premature deaths caused by air pollution may have been delayed due to the lockdowns was also cited.

Prof. Christine LOH, Chief Development Strategist of Division of Environment & Sustainability (ENVR) wrote an article on how Hong Kong could rethink its energy future in light of Mainland’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. She also explained why Hong Kong should keep up with Mainland's efforts in decarbonization,

Speaking at the online forum "The 6th International Symposium on Regional Air Quality Management in Rapidly Developing Economic Regions and the 2nd Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Air Forum (6RAQM)" organized by the Institute for the Environment of HKUST yesterday, Secretary for the Environment, The Honourable WONG Kam-Sing, GBS, JP, said more research and regional cooperation were needed to address the challenges of rising ozone levels.

In an article on how young Hong Kong entrepreneurs grasped the opportunities offered by GBA in digital economy, a report written by Division of Public Policy (PPOL) Prof. Naubahar SHARIF on HK's innovation technology and future prospects was cited. He said HK should pay greater attention to strategic areas such as e-commerce, in order to facilitate collaboration with enterprises and institutions in the Bay Area.

Prof. Masaru YARIME, Associate Professor from Division of Public Policy (PPOL) was among the speakers in a live tele-discussion co-organized by PPOL on how to promote smart city development between Hong Kong and Trikala in Greek.

The new smart anti-microbial coating Germagic developed by a research team led by Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR) Prof. YEUNG King-Lun and Adjunct Prof. Joseph KWAN, is said to have been used to the 400 minibuses of AMS (Green minibus operator).

Prof. Stuart GIETEL-BASTEN from Division of Public Policy said in an article that China has the potential to make the most of the opportunities posed by its ageing population, adding that the government can offset many challenges with good policies.

Division of Public Policy (PPOL) Prof. Masaru YARIME’s comments were cited in an article on East Asia’s commitment and confidence in the battle against climate change, saying there are many opportunities available for mutually beneficial cooperation among countries, for example, decarbonization in smart cities will be important for China, Japan and South Korea to reach their goals.

On Hong Kong’s wealth disparity, Division of Public Policy Senior Lecturer Prof. Donald LOW was quoted as saying Hong Kong is stuck in an “inequality trap” and it is in a position to craft a new fiscal and social compact.

In an article on the risks of indoor aerosol transmission of COVID-19, Prof. YEUNG King-Lun from Division of Environment and Sustainability explained whether coronavirus droplets could spread through air vents. He also said that the air one breathes in the office is from the external environment, so people should still wear a mask even in the office.