MTR’s RailGreen concept transformed Hin Keng Station into a Green Railway Station model. By integrating eco-friendly design, construction, and operations, it became the world’s first station to achieve an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM In-Use rating. It sets a scalable model for green transit hubs.
About this Project
MTR recognizes our crucial role in advancing Hong Kong’s carbon neutrality targets as the backbone of low-carbon transport services. Our climate strategy identified key risks that directly affect our operational efficiency, infrastructure integrity, and passenger safety.
To address these issues, MTR has developed the „RailGreen“ concept, integrating innovation and technology to create green solutions for stations, train operations, and maintenance.
Hin Keng Station serves as the first Green Railway Station applying RailGreen concept for the transformation and testing the potential for further roll out the green technologies to transform other existing railway stations.
It became the world’s first station to achieve an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM In-Use rating.
This success demonstrates the concept’s scalability and sets a blueprint for transforming existing stations into climate-resilient, low-carbon mobility hubs—advancing our ESG commitments and enhancing urban sustainability.
Key Highlights
Under the RailGreen concept, MTR developed the “4Gs” approach to redefine sustainable station design.
(i) Green Design: Semi-enclosed structures, cross-ventilation, and green roofs reduce energy use and enhance climate resilience.
(ii) Green Materials: Circular economy practices repurpose waste ballast into Ecobricks.
(iii) Green Energy: Four solar technologies—rigid panels, flexible panels, solar glass, and solar pavement—maximize renewable energy use across diverse surfaces to support station operations and as a public demonstration.
(iv) Green Communities: Wildlife-friendly features and community engagement foster environmental awareness. This holistic, modular approach enables scalable transformation of existing stations into low-carbon, climate-adaptive transit hubs.
Facts & Figures
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems first implemented at Hin Keng Station have been expanded to ten other premises by 2024, generating over 1.1 million kWh of clean energy annually.
- Since 2021, around 20,000 tonnes of spoil ballast have been upcycled into approximately 10 million number of eco-pavers, advancing resource efficiency and material circularity.
- Birdhouses installed at the station support more than 10 bird species, contributing to biodiversity conservation within the rail environment.
- Collectively, these initiatives strengthen environmental performance, promote sustainability, and contribute to a more resilient and eco-friendly rail ecosystem.
