Green groups say the absence of Hong Kong officials from the summit shows they are uninterested in doing more to prevent global warming.
The only person from Hong Kong attending the 10-day conference of the Framework Convention on Climate Change said the SAR Government could learn about other cities' initiatives to cut gas emissions further than is required under targets being discussed in Kyoto.
Under various proposals on the table, developed countries would have to cut their emissions to 1990 levels or up to 15 per cent below that by 2010. Hong Kong has pledged to follow the convention as a developed country despite not being a signatory.
Conservancy Association vice-chairman Gordon Ng Ting-leung, attending as a member of the Climate Action Network East Asia, said SAR officials should attend as observers or apply to join the China delegation.
'No matter what targets the convention comes out with, Hong Kong could go its own way,' he said.
'Many cities are stating voluntary targets that are much higher and on a shorter time frame than the convention, and Hong Kong as a city has the potential to achieve a lot.' Principal Assistant Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands Steve Barclay said no Hong Kong official was attending because the SAR was not a signatory.