HK to reduce carbon intensity by 70 pct by 2030: gov't action plan

HONG KONG - Hong Kong aims at reducing carbon intensity by 65 to 70 percent by 2030 compared with the 2005 level, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said in a climate action plan released on Friday.

This target is equivalent to an absolute reduction of 26 to 36 percent and resulting in per capita emission of 3.3 to 3.8 tons, according to Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2030+, which also anticipated that Hong Kong's carbon emission will peak before 2020.

To achieve this goal, Hong Kong will reduce coal-fired electricity generation, apply renewable energy on a wider and larger scale, make its infrastructure and buildings, both new and existing buildings in the public and private sectors, more energy efficient, improve public transport and promote walking as a mobility means, strengthen the climate-readiness of the city as a whole, "cool" the city through measures such as wind environment and landscaping design, and partner with stakeholders so that the whole community can be climate-resilient in the long term, according to Hong Kong's Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing.

"Climate change is a cross-sector, cross-domain subject. As a member of the global village, Hong Kong needs to respond proactively," Wong said at a press conference, adding that the current-term HKSAR government has set up a high-level committee, the Steering Committee on Climate Change (SCCC), to steer and co-ordinate efforts among various bureaux and departments in combating climate change and achieving carbon reduction targets.

The SCCC, chaired by Hong Kong's chief secretary for administration, has examined in the past year relevant experience in other places, reviewed the scope for enhancing local actions, and tapped the views of both stakeholders from different sectors and the public.

The HKSAR chief executive has accepted the SCCC's recommendations on the long-term carbon reduction target and relevant implementation measures, and announced the gist in his Policy Address delivered this Wednesday.

Wong said the HKSAR government has proposed to step up publicity, including setting aside 10 million HK dollars from the Environment and Conservation Fund to subsidise non-profit-making organisations to carry out public education activities and demonstration projects on climate change.

The HKSAR government also encourages everyone in the community to participate actively in this cause to support "an energy-saving, waste-less and low-carbon lifestyle," said Wong.