COVID-19 has severely impacted the world and Hong Kong in many different ways. The past two years have been about adapting new and readjusting old behaviors to suit the “new normal” the pandemic has ended up creating. With the many drastic changes in the way people in Hong Kong live and go about their lives, there are bound to be relevant shifts in terms of the values and behaviors pertaining to their consumption and social interactions. HKUST researchers employed a mixed methods research design to study the changes hence the implication behind them.

A large-scale online survey initiated by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (PORI) has successfully gathered responses from 4,586 participants. The survey aims to understand the changes in preferences and values among the people of Hong Kong before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, eight focus group discussions have been conducted to gather qualitative analysis on the reasons behind these changes, focusing on the domains of health, consumption, social environment, quality of life, and Hong Kong institutions.

The findings of this study are relevant as Hong Kong pursues new sustainability policies aligned with its net-zero ambitions. The outcomes provide insights for government agencies and the private sector to design and implement innovative policies and interventions that ensure the achievement of the SDGs. Download the Policy Report for details and policy recommendations.

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(1)  Changes in "Health Style" after the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in public outings, handwashing, and mask-wearing behaviours. Among the frequently mentioned codes in the health domain are “decreased going out in public”, “frequent handwashing”, and “always masked”. The fear of crowds and the higher risk of contracting the virus in densely populated spaces have strongly influenced the reduction in public outings. Globally, social distancing measures have been implemented to curb the spread of the virus, and in Hong Kong, the severity of the pandemic situation has driven residents to adjust their behaviours accordingly. Government mandates, including restrictions on gatherings and dining services, have played a significant role in shaping participants' behaviours and experiences. As a result, handwashing and disinfection practices have become ingrained habits, with participants adopting frequent handwashing and taking precautions to sanitize personal items. Regular mask-wearing has been reported by all participants, as Hong Kong has implemented a public mask mandate. Overall, the health-related behaviours adopted during the pandemic have centred around promoting health and hygiene.

(2)  Changes in "Consumption Behaviour" after pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had notable effects on travel, shopping, and waste generation. Participants frequently mentioned the codes “traveling less”, “shopping online”, and “increased packaging/shopping waste”. It was observed that most participants experienced a significant decrease in international travel, aligning with survey findings that indicated a decline in air travel. The mandatory hotel quarantine for inbound travellers emerged as a major deterrent, with participants describing it as a “traumatic” experience. Consequently, there was a shift towards online shopping as individuals preferred to stay home and reduce public outings. Online platforms were perceived as safer and more convenient, with discounts serving as a motivating factor. However, this increased reliance on online shopping also contributed to a surge in packaging and shopping waste, leading to higher levels of waste accumulation in participants' homes. Additionally, online banking gained popularity as a secure and convenient alternative during the pandemic.

(3)  Changes in "Social and Environmental Engagement" after pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, participants expressed dissatisfaction with the support from authorities and concerns about the selective enforcement of pandemic policies, which significantly influenced their behaviors and experiences. Government mandates played a crucial role in shaping participants' actions. Among the various aspects of social and environmental engagement discussed by interviewees, the most frequently mentioned topics were “increased environmental consciousness”, “enhanced knowledge of sustainability”, and “reduced social and environmental engagement”. Participants reported a heightened environmental consciousness, citing factors such as increased awareness of plastic and mask waste in the environment and spending more time at home, which made them more conscious of their daily waste generation. They acquired knowledge through various sources like podcasts and articles. However, despite this increased awareness, participants did not actively engage in collective actions or campaigns, such as donating to charities or participating in beach clean-ups, during the pandemic. The reason behind this lack of engagement remained unclear. From the dialogue, the research team gained an overall impression that the long-standing habit of inactive participation in charity activities exhibited significant inertia, resisting any impact from the pandemic to change people's behavior.

(4)  Changes in "Life Quality" after pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on social and environmental engagement in Hong Kong. Two main factors contributed to the decline in engagement: the implementation of social distancing policies, which limited collective events and volunteer activities, and the lack of opportunities for volunteering due to the postponement of public health drives. However, there was an increase in outdoor activities, particularly to visit nature such as hiking and visiting green spaces, as participants sought leisure and fresh air amidst restrictions. The pandemic also affected the quality of life, with experiences of racial discrimination reported, healthcare workers exhibiting high hygiene practices, and older individuals modifying their mobility patterns. Overall, the pandemic reshaped social and environmental behaviours and had both positive and negative effects on people's lives in Hong Kong.

(5)  Satisfactory Change in Institutions and Organizations

In the domain of opinions on institutions and organizations, participants expressed various sentiments. Online banking received positive feedback for its convenience during the pandemic, allowing transactions without in-person visits. However, dissatisfaction was prevalent among different professional groups, small business owners, and healthcare workers regarding the lack of increased support from authorities compared to pre-pandemic times. Concerns were raised about the allocation of funds and the perception of selective enforcement of pandemic policies. Questions were raised about the fairness of quarantine protocols, highlighting perceived double standards. In terms of sustainability behaviors, age, gender, education, household size, and income were found to correlate with engagement. The impact of political conditions on sustainability behaviors was minimal, except for consumer behaviors during the pandemic. Overall, the findings shed light on the complex opinions and factors influencing institutions, organizations, and sustainability practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(6) Relationship between "Health" & "Consumption":

We found that there is a significant relationship between health and consumption behaviors. People who reduced their public outings during the pandemic tended to engage more in online shopping and ordering takeout. Within the consumption domain, we also observed an interaction between environmental consciousness and various behaviors. Participants who were environmentally conscious were more likely to use reusable products, be interested in sustainable products, reuse plastic bags and containers, and be mindful of packaging waste. Some participants mentioned adopting small measures to minimize their negative impact, such as conserving water, selecting products with minimal plastic packaging, and adjusting their masks for a better fit to prevent harm to marine life. These findings highlight the connection between health-related behaviors and sustainable consumption practices.

(7) Relationship between "Consumption" & "Quality of Life":

Behavioral shifts related to the interaction between consumption and quality of life during the pandemic have had various impacts:

1. More time in nature:
   Participants reported that reducing travel activities led to spending more time in nature, which had a positive impact on their overall quality of life. Exploring local hiking trails, camping, and visiting beaches became popular alternatives to international vacations.
2. Fatigue from mandatory quarantine measures:
   The inability to travel abroad and the sustained workload during the pandemic contributed to feelings of fatigue and exhaustion among working individuals. The absence of vacation time and limited travel options added to the strain.
3. Difficulty detaching from work even during holidays:
   Remote work and the accessibility of online tools made it challenging for individuals to disconnect from work, even during designated leave days. Being physically present in Hong Kong hindered their ability to fully relax, as they felt compelled to continue working to meet expectations.
4. Disparate feelings of unseen hope and future:
   Young professionals expressed frustration over the lack of something to look forward to due to limited travel options. The absence of upcoming holidays and uncertainty about when travel would be possible again impacted their well-being and motivation.
5. Positive impact on exploring the local community:
   With international travel being unfeasible, individuals were compelled to explore leisure activities within their local community. Many discovered the abundance of hiking trails and scenic spots in Hong Kong, leading to a newfound appreciation for their own city.

Overall, the pandemic has reshaped the relationship between consumption, travel, and quality of life, prompting individuals to find alternative ways to enjoy leisure time, adapt to remote work, and cope with the absence of international travel opportunities.

(8) External factors and behaviour shifts:

It was revealed that age is consistently associated with increased engagement in sustainable behaviours. Gender effects vary across domains, while education and ethnicity also influence behaviour. Household characteristics like size and income have mixed effects. Evaluation of institutions' performance and perception of political conditions impact behaviours. Racial discrimination experiences highlight the need for awareness. Healthcare workers prioritize hygiene and limit outings, while younger individuals have fewer health concerns and continue using public transportation. Older participants modify mobility patterns. These findings demonstrate the complex interplay of factors shaping sustainable behaviours during the pandemic.