Net-zero carbon plan nears light of day

A plan to help Hong Kong achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 will be announced in the middle of the year, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po says.

Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing the emission and removal of carbon dioxide.

Hong Kong's greenhouse gas emissions peaked in 2014 and slightly reduced to the equivalent of 40,700 kilotons of carbon dioxide in 2017, according to a Legislative Council document published last year.

On his blog yesterday, Chan said the government has allocated more than HK$10 billion in environmental protection in last year's budget and is now implementing green projects, including a pilot scheme subsidizing private estates to install charging facilities for electric vehicles in car parks.

More than 120 housing estates with 36,000 parking spaces have made applications to the scheme since it was launched in December.

Chan said authorities have allocated HK$2 billion to promote the use of electric vehicles.

Another HK$80 million has been allocated in a trial scheme for electric public light buses, Chan said, adding that around 40 electric minibuses will be put on trial in different districts.

"Apart from promoting electric vehicles, it's also important to phase out high-emission diesel commercial vehicles, including trucks, nonfranchised buses, and minibuses," Chan said. "HK$7.1 billion was also allocated in last year's budget to assist affected car owners."

Around 40,000 Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles with high carbon emissions will be phased out, he said.

Electric ferries will be developed as Chan said reducing emissions from vehicles and ships plays an equally important part in improving Hong Kong's air quality.

Authorities are working with consultants to build four new electric ferries operating in Victoria Harbor and charging facilities for them, Chan said.

An open tender for the construction of ferries is expected to be launched this year.

Separately, a HK$200 million Green Tech Fund opened applications in mid-December, Chan said.

Priority for the fund will be given to green topics, including carbon reduction, energy conservation, waste reduction and green transport. Chan said the fund was set up to strengthen the development and application of carbon reduction technologies. He believes the fund can help create more job opportunities in the field of environmental protection.

"The world has seen extreme weather repeatedly in recent years," Chan said.

"The extreme weather has affected people's lives and safety, as well as business operations, reflecting the serious impact of global climate change."

Economic activities should be adjusted to cope with climate change and the change in business operations could create new opportunities and job positions, Chan said.

"We must take full advantage of the development potential brought by this green wave," he said.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com