Joint NGO submission to the Chief Executive for 2020/21 Policy Address 

Press Release 

For Immediate Release  

(Logos arranged in alphabetical order) 

HONG KONG, 18 September, 2020 – Today 14 environmental NGOs & groups jointly submitted their recommendations to the Chief Executive for 2020/21 Policy Address. 

The joint submission group recommends the Government to commit to working closely with stakeholders in Hong Kong in transforming the city to a low-carbon society, preserving our environment and enhancing the city’s livability.   

Specifically, the NGOs recommend the following principles to the administration: 

1.Strengthening moves for a resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by:

• 1.1 Investing in climate-resilient initiatives and buildings’ energy efficiency improvement
• 1.2 Accelerating the adoption of zero-emission vehicles in Hong Kong
• 1.3 Nurturing increases in Hong Kong’s use of renewable energy
• 1.4 Identifying future job requirements and providing training to growth employment in low-carbon emission sectors of Hong Kong’s economy
• 1.5 Invest in nature-based solutions which reduce Hong Kong’s carbon emissions and to enhance resilience. 
• 1.6 Accelerate introduction of mandatory waste charging, producer responsibility for plastic containers and making the waste recycling systems more robust.
• 2. Adopting a clear, long-term vision of how Hong Kong will decarbonize linked to comprehensive road maps for both short- and long-term action.

3. Increasing alignment and involvement across different government bureaus in joint government policy-making and delivery towards a clear, longer-term vision.

4. Engaging the public through stronger collaboration with local think-tanks, green groups and members of civil society, establish multiple channels to maintain two-way communication with stakeholders on matters such as daily operations and development approaches.

5. Enhancing institutional and financial support for action by green groups and think tanks which are relevant to the administration’s policy-making processes, as a means to engage with, understand and inform the Hong Kong public.

The joint submission is convened by HK2050isNow, a partnering initiative commissioned by Civic Exchange, an independent public-policy think tank. In addition, each organization will write an individual submission with more specific suggestion on the topic they are working on. 

Read the Civic Exchange’s Policy Recommendation in full version here 

About Hong Kong 2050 is Now 

Hong Kong 2050 is Now is a joint initiative commissioned by Civic Exchange to galvanise collective action towards a climate neutral Hong Kong by 2050. We aim to engage partners across relevant sectors to shed light on Hong Kong’s pathway to climate neutrality. This includes research, policy and other recommendations in key sectors, including energy, mobility, building efficiency, nature-based solutions, lifestyle considerations and carbon pricing. 

Media Enquiries 

Please contact Ms. Fiona Lau, Programme Manager at Civic Exchange and “Hong Kong 2050 is Now” at [email protected] or 59637397. 

Photo by bady abbas on Unsplash