Green Council

What Green Council does

Green Council (環保促進會) is a Hong Kong-based non-profit environmental stewardship organization and accredited certification body founded in 2000. It operates three certification schemes — the Hong Kong Green Label Scheme (HKGLS), the Green Council Certification Scheme (GCCS, accredited under HKCAS-027), and the Recycled Content Certification (RCC) — alongside two flagship annual awards programmes (the Hong Kong Green Awards launched 2010 and the UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong launched 2021). The organization also runs community-facing programmes including Hong Kong Green Day, the Green Carnival, International Coastal Cleanup (coordinated under Ocean Conservancy since 2008), the Green Run charity marathon, and the Green School programme, plus a physical Green@Happy Valley recycling store under the EPD's Green Community network.

Green Council generates revenue through four main streams: tiered Corporate Membership fees (Gold, Silver, Bronze, SME on annual cycles), paid training workshops covering ESG disclosure, GRI, TCFD, carbon management, ISO standards, and circular economy, certification fees under its accredited schemes, and event sponsorship across flagship awards and community campaigns. Its go-to-market is community-led, combining large-scale public campaigns (reaching 16.5M citizens through "Go Green Act Green"), corporate engagement, and government partnerships (Environmental Protection Department, Drainage Services Department, Water Supplies Department). The organization is registered as a Tax-Exempt Charity (Ref. No.: 91/6063) and is governed by an Executive Committee under CEO Linda W.P. Ho, who has led the organization since its founding.

Name

Green Council

Legal name

Green Council 環保促進會

Website

https://greencouncil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Green Council is a Hong Kong-based non-profit founded in 2000 that delivers accredited environmental certification (HKCAS-027), ESG training, and annual awards programmes. It serves corporations, government, schools, and the public through certification, membership tiers, and community campaigns.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Certification Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainability & Environmental Certifications (Carbon, Water, Regenerative) (AFALAMAC)

Keywords

• Environmental certification services
• Green product labeling
• ESG training programs
• Sustainability awards programs
• Corporate ESG membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Hong Kong

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Corporate Membership Programme: Green Council offers a Corporate Membership Programme that facilitates corporate transformation toward sustainability, builds capacity with assessment tools, elevates actions to match international standards (ISO, SDGs), and builds a network among member organizations. Fees are charged for membership tiers (Gold, Silver, Bronze, SME) as evidenced by membership application forms and annual cycles (2025-2026, 2026-2027).
2. Training and Workshop Fees: Green Council organizes and delivers paid training workshops on ESG strategies, climate-related disclosure (GRI standards), carbon offset, Scope 3 emissions reporting, circular economy business models, carbon audit, TCFD recommendations, science-based GHG targets, building energy management, ISO 26000, and carbon footprint management. Sessions are delivered in-person and as webinars, with professional services advancement support scheme funding.
3. Certification Services: The organization provides professional certification services under its accredited Green Council Certification Scheme (HKCAS-027) and the Hong Kong Green Label Scheme. These certification services are a core revenue-generating activity, enabling companies to demonstrate compliance with local and international environmental standards.
4. Awards and Event Sponsorship: The organization hosts flagship awards programs including Hong Kong Green Awards and UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong. Corporate sponsorship and participation fees for these events contribute to revenue, with sponsors and supporting organizations listed for each annual event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Green Council is a non-profit environmental certification body and stewardship organization that issues eco-labels and accredited certifications (Hong Kong Green Label Scheme, Green Council Certification Scheme under HKCAS-027, and Recycled Content Certification) to products and companies meeting environmental standards. It complements these certifications with tiered corporate membership programs, paid ESG and sustainability training workshops, and flagship awards programs (Hong Kong Green Awards and UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong) to recognize corporate sustainability performance.

Product overview

Green Council operates a comprehensive environmental certification and program portfolio. The core offerings include three main certification schemes: the Hong Kong Green Label Scheme (HKGLS) for eco-product certification, the Green Council Certification Scheme (GCCS) accredited by HKCAS-027, and the Recycled Content Certification (RCC). These certification products are complemented by awards programs including the Hong Kong Green Awards and the UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong. The organization also delivers community-focused programs such as Hong Kong Green Day, Green Carnival, International Coastal Cleanup, and Green School initiatives, alongside professional services including sustainability assessment tools and ESG training programs. The Corporate Membership Programme connects businesses with sustainability resources and international standards alignment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hong Kong Green Label Scheme: Environmental certification programme for products meeting green and sustainability standards. Over 300 products have been certified under this scheme.
• Hong Kong Green Awards
• UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong
• Green Council Certification Scheme (GCCS)
• Recycled Content Certification (RCC)
• Hong Kong Green Day
• SDG Actions Hong Kong
• Sustainable Procurement Charter
• Enterprises Cherish Water Campaign
• International Coastal Cleanup Hong Kong
• Green Run
• Green School
• Environmental Carnival
• Green@Happy Valley

Products and services

• Hong Kong Green Label Scheme (HKGLS) Certification program that awards eco-labels to products meeting environmental standards, enabling consumers and businesses to identify environmentally friendly products. Over 300 products have been certified under this scheme.
• Green Council Certification Scheme (GCCS) Accredited certification service (HKCAS-027) that certifies products, processes, or systems compliant with local and international regulations and standards, with coverage including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.
• Recycled Content Certification (RCC) Certification program that verifies products contain recycled materials, supporting the circular economy and waste reduction.
• Hong Kong Green Awards Annual awards program recognizing companies for excellence in environmental management, green governance, and sustainable procurement, with over 800 companies and 350,000 staff participating. Categories include Corporate Green Governance Award, Sustainable Procurement Award, Superior Environmental Management Award, Occupational Safety and Health Award, and Innovation Initiative Award.
• UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong Annual awards program recognizing organizations and projects that demonstrate excellence in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Hong Kong. Categories include Project Awards, Organization Awards, Annual Grand Award, Best SME, Excellence SDG Leaders, Best Strategy, Outstanding Impact, and High Replicability.
• Corporate Membership Programme Membership program with Gold, Silver, Bronze, and SME tiers that helps corporations achieve sustainability objectives through transformation of business operations, capacity building with assessment tools, alignment with international standards (ISO, SDGs), and networking among member organizations. Annual membership cycles include 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
• Training Programs Paid professional training workshops and seminars covering ESG strategies, climate-related disclosure (GRI standards), carbon offset, Scope 3 emissions reporting, circular economy business models, carbon audit, TCFD recommendations, science-based GHG targets, building energy management, ISO 26000, and carbon footprint management, delivered in-person and as webinars.
• Sustainability Assessment Assessment tools and services that help organizations evaluate and improve their sustainability performance, aligned with ISO standards and UN SDGs.
• Sustainable Procurement Charter Charter programme encouraging organizations to integrate sustainability considerations into their procurement processes and supply chain management.
• Enterprises Cherish Water Campaign Campaign encouraging businesses to conserve water resources and adopt water-efficient practices.

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Coca-Cola China LimitedminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 202511-year sponsor of the International Coastal Cleanup Hong Kong (ICC 2025), supporting beach cleanup activities and marine conservation efforts.
• Japan Tobacco (Hong Kong) LimitedminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 202510-year sponsor of the International Coastal Cleanup Hong Kong (ICC 2025), supporting beach cleanup activities and marine conservation efforts.
• Airport Authority Hong KongminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20258-year participating organization in the International Coastal Cleanup Hong Kong (ICC 2025).
• Shiseido (Hong Kong) LimitedminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20255-year participating organization and supporter of the International Coastal Cleanup Hong Kong (ICC 2025).
• Cathay Pacific LimitedminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20255-year participating organization and supporter of the International Coastal Cleanup Hong Kong (ICC 2025).
• Environmental Protection Department (EPD)coreOthers · 1 January 2025Government partner supporting multiple Green Council programs. The EPD co-supports the 'Green Community' recycling store network ('Green @ Happy Valley'), the 'Bye Bye Microbeads' online platform, and participates in ICC and other environmental initiatives.
• Hong Kong Government Departments (Various)coreOthers · 1 January 2025Multiple government departments partner with Green Council including Drainage Services Department, Water Supplies Department, and Environmental Protection Department for various sustainability and environmental management programs, awards, and community initiatives.
• Plastic-free SeasminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20257-year participating organization in the International Coastal Cleanup Hong Kong (ICC 2025), supporting marine conservation and plastic pollution reduction efforts.
• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Represented on the judging panel for the UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong 2025 through Mr. Leung Ka-wai (Acting Head of Sustainability and Zero Carbon Office).
• Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Represented on the judging panel for the UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong 2025 through Prof. Lapman Lee (Professor of Practice in ESG, Fintech, and Sustainable Finance).
• City University of Hong KongminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Professor Cheung Siu-kin from City University of Hong Kong's Chemistry Department provided expert commentary on microplastics research in Green Council's 2025 survey release.
• HKU SPACEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Recognized Organization in UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong 2025. HKU SPACE Admiralty Learning Centre serves as the venue for Green Council's seminars and training workshops.
• HKEX and Listed Companies EcosystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Green Council's training programs on ESG strategies, climate-related disclosure (GRI standards), and TCFD recommendations directly serve listed companies required to meet HKEX ESG reporting obligations. This ecosystem represents a core partnership with Hong Kong's corporate sector.
• UN DESA and UN Global Goals FrameworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Green Council operates its UNSDG Achievement Awards as a Hong Kong-specific platform aligned with the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 UN SDGs. The organization references international standards from ISO, UN SDGs, and Hong Kong Climate Action Plan.
• Discovery Bay Services Management Limited (Green DBers Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Green Council partners with Discovery Bay Services Management Limited through the SDG Actions Hong Kong platform, supporting the Green DBers Program which motivates Discovery Bay residents to practice sustainable living. The program grew from ~200 to over 2,000 participants since late 2022, collaborating with various public, private, and social enterprises including EPD, Water Supplies Department, O.Park 1, Green@Islands, Milmill Recycling Company, Chu Kong Plan, i-Recycle Charity Fund, schools, and community groups.
• Ocean ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Green Council has served as the coordinating body for the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) in Hong Kong and Macau since 2008. This is a global marine conservation initiative founded by Ocean Conservancy in 1986, registered as a UN Ocean Conference commitment supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Green Council arranges volunteer beach cleanups and data collection on marine debris.
• Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS)coreOthersGreen Council's certification scheme is accredited by Hong Kong Accreditation Service (Reg. No.: HKCAS-027), enabling it to provide accredited certification services in Hong Kong.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS: SGS is the world's largest testing, inspection, and certification company with operations across Asia. It provides competing environmental, sustainability, and ISO-based certification services to Hong Kong manufacturers and listed corporates.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global certification and testing major offering ISO 14001, sustainability, and ESG assurance services. Its Hong Kong presence directly overlaps with Green Council's enterprise certification and training offerings.
• TÜV Rheinland: TÜV Rheinland is a global testing and certification body with strong Asia-Pacific operations offering environmental management, product certification, and ESG verification that compete for the same Hong Kong corporate clients.
• BSI Group: BSI is a global standards and certification company operating across ISO management systems, sustainability, and ESG assurance. It serves Hong Kong corporates with overlapping certification schemes and competes for the same enterprise ESG budgets as Green Council.

Regional players

• Earthcheck: Earthcheck is an Asia-Pacific headquartered sustainability certification body for tourism, hospitality, and built-environment sectors. It offers competing eco-certification to Hong Kong hotels and property developers, a customer segment Green Council also serves through its awards and labels.

Emerging players

• Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP): CDP operates a global environmental disclosure system used by HKEX-listed corporates. Its growing presence in mandatory climate disclosure overlaps with Green Council's training and disclosure support services targeting the same Hong Kong-listed audience.

Direct peers

• Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA): HKQAA is Hong Kong's other major accredited certification body offering ISO 9001/14001/45001 and sustainability certification services. It directly competes with Green Council's HKCAS-027 accredited GCCS in the same Hong Kong enterprise market.
• Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong): Friends of the Earth Hong Kong is a fellow non-profit environmental advocacy organization operating in Hong Kong, running parallel public campaigns, policy advocacy, and community programs that overlap with Green Council's citizen-facing environmental initiatives.
• WWF-Hong Kong: WWF-Hong Kong is a major environmental non-profit running corporate sustainability partnerships, education programs, and conservation campaigns in Hong Kong. It competes with Green Council for corporate ESG sponsorship and public-facing environmental engagement.

Others

• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): GRI is the international standards body for sustainability reporting whose frameworks Green Council's training programs reference. While not a direct competitor, GRI shapes the standards ecosystem in which Green Council operates and trains.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hkgreencouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/green-council
• Instagraminstagram.com/hkgreencouncil

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Green Council