Do global public health crises change people's behaviors towards sustainability? : Evidence of the COVID-19 and sustainability nexus from Hong Kong

This paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sustainability behaviors in Hong Kong focusing on five domains of the Sustainable Development Goals: health, consumption, social environment, quality of life, and institutions. Through a survey and focus groups, we found that the pandemic led to significant changes in people's behaviors, including increased attention to personal hygiene and health practices, reduced consumption of non-essential goods, and greater appreciation for local nature. Furthermore, external factors, such as age and income, were found to shape people's behavioral changes. For instance, younger individuals were less likely to be concerned about their health and more likely to resort to online grocery shopping, while those with higher incomes were more likely to prioritize sustainability practices. Our findings offer valuable insights into the pandemic's impact on sustainability behaviors and present eighteen SDG-aligned policy recommendations for promoting sustainable practices in Hong Kong in the future.