Ventures Dialogue

Hong Kong’s strategies and measures to cope with climate change by reducing carbon emissions and at the same time creating business opportunities, were explained to political and business leaders in Copenhagen by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau.

In a panel discussion of the Copenhagen Climate Summit for Mayors held December 16, Mr Yau gave an account of what Hong Kong was doing in promoting a low carbon economy, particularly in engaging the private sector, in tackling the climate change.

Joining the panel discussion, with “Public-Private Partnerships” as the theme, were international leaders of various economies including World Bank President Mr Robert Zoellick, Governor of California Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger and mayors of major cities. It presented leading examples of innovative partnerships between cities and private partners in fighting the climate change.

Fielding questions from the participants, Mr Yau said Hong Kong adopted a multi-pronged strategy to tackle sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with building energy efficiency as the core action as buildings accounted for about 55 per cent of our GHG emissions. Other measures included the promotion of green transport including the use of electric vehicles (EV) as well as strategic waste treatment program.

Mr Yau added that the discussion was a valuable opportunity for Hong Kong to share with participants its efforts in combating climate change and to draw references from others’ experiences in reducing GHG emissions.

On behalf of Hong Kong, Mr Yau also took part in the C40’s announcement on EV in Copenhagen. Eleven member cities of C40, including Hong Kong, were committed to actions in areas critical to the successful introduction of EVs with a view to accelerating its deployment.