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Tomorrow Lantau︱ Huang Jinxing avoids talking about whether reclamation and carbon reduction are contradictory

2020-11-28T19:24:52.853Z


Carrie Lam issued a new "Policy Address", stressing that he will not abandon the "Lantau Tomorrow" project, and at the same time announced that he will strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Secretary for the Environment Huang Jinxing at a press conference today (27th),


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Written by: Lao Minyi

2020-11-27 19:45

Last update date: 2020-11-27 19:46

Carrie Lam issued a new "Policy Address", stressing that he will not abandon the "Lantau Tomorrow" project, and at the same time announced that he will strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Secretary for the Environment, Huang Jinxing, was asked at a press conference today (27th) whether the large-scale reclamation plan would conflict with the carbon reduction target.

Huang explained that the construction process does use electricity and has carbon emissions, but the most important thing is how to achieve low carbon and energy saving in construction or design, and avoid talking about whether reclamation and carbon reduction are contradictory.

Huang also emphasized that it will promote various government departments, including the Development Bureau, to move towards low-carbon or even zero-carbon operations in various developments.

The Secretary for the Environment, Huang Jinxing, said that whether it is a reclamation or brownfield project, the most important thing is how to achieve low-carbon and energy-saving construction or design. He emphasized that it will promote all government departments to move towards low-carbon, or even close to zero, in any development. Carbon operations.

(Photo by Zhang Haowei)

When Huang Jinxing attended the "Policy Address" press conference today, he was asked whether the large-scale reclamation project of "Lantau Tomorrow" would generate a lot of carbon emissions, and would it violate the goal of carbon neutrality?

Huang Jinxing explained that environmental assessments are required for different large-scale infrastructure projects, and the Environmental Protection Department will approve them in a professional manner.

He pointed out that the largest source of carbon emissions in Hong Kong is electricity, which accounts for two-thirds of the overall carbon emissions. He believes that whether it is reclamation or brownfield development projects, the most important thing is how to achieve low carbon and energy saving in construction or design.

He emphasized that all government departments will be promoted to move towards low-carbon or even close to zero-carbon operations in any development projects.

Huang Jinxing also pointed out that there is a large amount of inert construction waste in Hong Kong and there is almost no way out in Hong Kong. It has to be transported by long-distance ship to Taishan for reclamation, which generates a lot of carbon emissions and affects the low-carbon transition route. Related emissions can be avoided.

↓Overview of the Lantau Tomorrow Project↓

The ring group criticizes the Hong Kong government for “talking one thing and doing another”

Green Earth’s director-general Liu Zhifeng believes that with reference to the airport’s three-run related reclamation project, about 90% of the fill material comes from the Mainland, and only about 10% comes from the local area. The land reclamation of Huang Jinxing’s "Lantau Tomorrow" can reduce the carbon transport of inert construction waste. The statement of emission is ironic and questioned the Hong Kong government's "speaking one thing and doing another."

Liu hopes that Huang Jinxing should explain what measures will be adopted to make future projects almost zero carbon emissions, such as whether to reserve space for solar or wind power generation on artificial islands, and only use bicycles or electric vehicles.

Liu also believes that the Environmental Bureau’s responsibility is to protect the environment. In the past, many environmental groups have mentioned the impact of the development of "Lantau Tomorrow" on the environment and nearby precious species. The Bureau should not leave it alone and worry about loopholes in the EIA. To pass the project, only compensation measures can be used to make up for it, hoping that the environmental assessment will be more transparent and avoid working behind closed doors.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) also launched a petition this morning, criticizing that reclamation is not only expensive to construct, but also significantly increases the carbon footprint, causing incalculable damage to the entire biodiversity and ecosystem service system.

The association also pointed out that the project will carry out 1,000 hectares of reclamation and the construction of artificial islands in the central waters. The carbon emissions generated by the construction projects, including the purchase and transportation of filler, will greatly undermine the government's commitment to carbon reduction.

WWF has petitioned this morning, pointing out that reclamation is not only expensive to construct, but also greatly increases the carbon footprint, causing incalculable damage to the entire biodiversity and ecosystem service system.

(Provided by WWF)

Garbage levy increases more job opportunities

As for the garbage levy that returned to the Legislative Council for discussion, when Huang Jinxing was asked whether he was confident to pass it, he pointed out that if the government measures alone, the recycling would only get half the result. He believed that the levy is an important measure.

Even if the government's promotion of recycling and waste reduction is effective, it cannot be compared.

Huang also pointed out that during the epidemic, when the economic situation is normal, the public may be confused as to why the levy should still be introduced.

However, he believes that the levy will be earmarked, that is, 1 billion yuan will be collected, and 1 billion yuan will be allocated for waste reduction and recycling, which will create more green jobs by then.

He also said that some political parties have responded positively to this and will strengthen their lobbying work, hoping to gain more understanding and support.

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Policy Address Tomorrow Lantau Wong Kam Sing Environmental Bureau

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2020-11-28

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