There is a growing realization that the world must take much more ambitious and urgent action towards decarbonization to avoid potentially irreversible consequences of climate change.
We must embark on a pathway to net zero greenhouse gas emissions to limit the temperature rise within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
The October 2018 IPCC report Global Warming of 1.5°C highlights that global annual emissions need to be reduced to about half from the current levels by 2030 in order to limit global warming to 1.5˚C.
This goal will only be achieved if net emissions are reduced to zero by around 2050.
Hong Kong is committed to take action under the Paris Agreement. In 2017, Hong Kong released the Climate Action Plan 2030+ and committed to peak carbon emissions by 2020 and to reduce them by 26-36% from 2005 levels by 2030.
But we must agree a pathway to net-zero emissions for HK.
Climate mitigation and adaptation efforts will bring opportunities for Hong Kong to promote innovation, develop new industries, and reinvent itself to be more sustainable and inclusive as we transition our economy to one that is much cleaner.
We have identified key sectors for deep dives, sectors where we must drive action and change to decarbonize our city. An Energy Policy Solution Model developed by World Resources Institute has allowed us to model and analyze emissions scenarios for Hong Kong and indicated the sectors to expand our research and partnerships. These include energy, building efficiency, mobility, nature-based solutions, waste management and low-carbon lifestyle.
We engage in modeling, policy research, action and public engagement on how Hong Kong can become carbon neutral and help combat our global climate crisis while providing a better life for its citizens.
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Just as walking on sand leaves a footprint, burning fuel for human activity leaves greenhouse gases in the air, creating a carbon footprint. Everything we have, use, and consume, from food to clothes to transportation, are intimately linked to Hong Kong’s overall emissions figure.
According to the WWF, if everyone on Earth led the same lifestyle as that of Hong Kong people, 4.2 Earths would be required to fulfil our resource needs!
