China Daily: Hong Kong-based public policy think tank Civic Exchange urged the SAR government to establish a clearer climate target for 2030 in the upcoming Climate Action Plan update next year, and to mobilize all sectors to accelerate the pace of carbon reduction in Hong Kong.

While releasing a report on Friday, Civic Exchange executive director Lawrence Iu Chun-yip said that emissions are projected to decline sharply until 2035, but reductions are expected to stagnate afterward.

“As climate change accelerates, the government must provide a clear sectoral five-year pathway in the next Climate Action Plan 2050 to enable ‘participation-for-all’ to capture new quality productive forces development opportunities,” he said.

Urgent measures proposed include accelerating Hong Kong’s transition to zero-carbon electricity, phasing out fossil fuel vehicles, strengthening renewable energy policies, the annual disclosure of the energy efficiency of large commercial buildings, and providing incentives to achieve good energy efficiency.

Also on Friday, the Conference on Climate Change and International Trade Law, co-organized by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, was held in Hong Kong, attracting around 600 participants from 70 jurisdictions worldwide.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok wrote in a Facebook post that the discussions focused on how international trade law can effectively support global climate action goals, the scope and value of legal coordination, and the need for international guidance among legislators, policymakers, courts, and dispute resolution bodies.

“The event underscores Hong Kong’s active role in advancing climate action and strengthening the framework of international trade law,” Lam said.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Hong Kong Coalition held an event for its “Carbon Revolution in China” series, which was attended by over 50 guests.

At the event, the convener of the coalition, Leung Chun-ying, highlighted China’s ambitious goal of achieving the largest reduction in carbon emissions in the shortest time frame in human history.

He called on the international community to join hands, start with small actions in everyone’s daily life, and adopt green lifestyles to contribute to achieving these goals.

Originally published on China Daily on 14 March 2025.