The United Hong Kong Fund, led by the vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, held an online summit today (August 3), with the theme of "Implementing Carbon Neutrality Goals, Accelerating Green and Low-Carbon Transformation and Innovation", inviting China’s climate change affairs Xie Zhenhua, the special envoy and vice chairman of the China Environment and Development Cooperation Committee, will be a guest speaker, introducing China's path and policy measures to achieve carbon neutrality.
At the summit, Tung Chee-hwa, Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Shi Wei, President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, respectively spoke in the opening remarks, calling on everyone to pay attention to climate issues and talk about the role of Hong Kong.
Dong Jianhua mentioned that the world has entered a climate emergency.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.
(Photo by the Information Services Department)
Lam Zheng: Will personally chair the Interdepartmental Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality Steering Committee
Carrie Lam said that the recent floods and extreme weather have once again awakened people's attention to climate change, and the response of governments around the world is urgent.
She also mentioned that President Xi Jinping announced at the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in September last year that China will strive to reach its peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, which she believes is an important country's commitment to climate change.
Lam Cheng pointed out that the SAR government will strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in order to fulfill Hong Kong's responsibilities in carbon reduction and make contributions.
She said that the SAR government’s climate change response work has been going on for some time. In 2017, the "Hong Kong Climate Action Blueprint 2030+" was published, detailing the main measures taken in the three aspects of mitigation, adaptation and response to climate change. And set a carbon reduction target for 2030.
"With the successive implementation of various carbon reduction measures, the government is moving towards the goal of reducing Hong Kong’s carbon intensity by 2030 from the 2005 level by 65% to 70%. By substantially reducing coal-fired power generation, Hong Kong’s carbon emissions will be reduced. It peaked in 2014, and the carbon intensity in 2019 has dropped by about 35% from the 2005 base year. The government is confident that the original target will be achieved by 2030."
The SAR government will announce the new "Hong Kong Climate Action Blueprint" before the end of this year, setting out more aggressive carbon reduction strategies and measures to address climate change.
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor pointed out that in order to effectively advance the work, he will personally chair the inter-departmental climate change and carbon neutral steering committee, lead various departments to explore different zero-carbon energy and carbon reduction technologies, promote zero-carbon vehicles and green transportation, and build scale The conversion of waste into energy facilities, etc.
"The SAR government will also develop green finance to increase investments that help reduce carbon emissions, as well as increase public education and publicity to allow the public to support and participate in carbon reduction efforts." Lam Cheng believes that climate change is a common issue facing the world and requires all countries. Hand in hand to promote sustainable development.
Dong Jianhua.
(Screenshot of the live broadcast of the Unity Hong Kong Fund)
Dong Jianhua: The world has entered a climate emergency
The Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Dong Jianhua, said in his opening remarks that climate change is related to the common interests of the world and sustainable development, so it is extremely important. Record-breaking high temperatures have even appeared in parts of the Americas, which confirms that the world has entered a climate emergency, which requires everyone's attention.
Tung Chee-hwa also said that he was very grateful to Xie Zhenhua for hosting the summit and grateful to the latter for his efforts and contributions to improving climate change issues in the past.
Dong said that in response to the goals set by Xi Jinping at the United Nations summit: achieving "carbon peak" by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, everyone should have the responsibility to protect the environment. After all, humans and natural life are both Live in the same community.
Shi Wei.
(Screenshot of the live broadcast of the Unity Hong Kong Fund)
Shi Wei: HKUST invests a lot of funds for environmental projects
Professor Wei Shi, President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology mentioned in his speech that it is an honor to speak on behalf of the University of Science and Technology at the summit.
He emphasized that universities should not only proceed from theory when imparting knowledge, but should proceed with actual plans. For example, the University of Science and Technology has invested a lot of funds in environmental projects in the past three years and has continued to conduct research and development to contribute to changing climate change. force.
In addition, he mentioned that in order to achieve multiple environmental protection goals, the scientific foundation before the implementation of the plan is very important. Everyone needs to know the source and value of each energy source in order to make the public take responsibility for the use of energy and the protection of the environment. .
The Solidarity Hong Kong Fund claims that wetlands have been destroyed. The Ecological Solidarity Hong Kong Fund proposes to rebuild 3,000 hectares of land in 9 major development areas in the New Territories. It is possible to buy “HDB flats” at the age of 18. Is it too late to improve carbon balance?
｜International Podcast
01News