I refer to the opinion column , “Energy mix will save city from panicking” (September 30). The government has been sparing no effort in optimising the fuel mix for electricity generation. To achieve deep decarbonisation, the government has ensured that the two power companies use cleaner fuel for electricity generation. Since 1997, we have not allowed the local power companies to build new coal-fired power plants. Coal only accounted for less than one quarter of the fuel mix for electricity generation in 2020, substantially lower than its share in 2015 which was about half, while the share of natural gas significantly increased from around one quarter to almost half during the same period. We met our remaining electricity demand (around one quarter) through renewable energy and imported nuclear energy, which has been steadily supplied for more than two decades, with supply reliability of over 99.9 per cent in recent years. The government published the Climate Action Plan 2030+ in 2017. It sets out in detail the key mitigation, adaptation and resilience measures to be taken, as well as our target to reduce Hong Kong’s carbon intensity by 65 to 70 per cent between 2005 and 2030. As set out in the plan, Hong Kong will phase out coal-fired power plants and replace coal with natural gas and non-fossil fuels for electricity generation to meet the 2030 carbon reduction target. We are on our way to achieving the target. Hong Kong’s total greenhouse gas emissions reached their peak in 2014 and have been trending downward. Carbon intensity in 2019 was about 35 per cent lower than that in the baseline year of 2005. The two power companies will continue to phase out coal-fired power plants as they reach their retirement date. The government will also further press ahead with the development of renewable energy, keep abreast of the latest technologies in low- to zero-carbon energy, and stay open to all options that may reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation. To achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 , the government will update Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan to set out more proactive long-term decarbonisation strategies and targets for each major area including electricity generation. In formulating the decarbonisation plan for electricity generation, we will always ensure that our electricity supply is safe, reliable and affordable while achieving environmental sustainability. Queenie Lee, principal assistant secretary for the environment (electricity – energy research) Humans, not wild boars, are the problem Are wild boars in Hong Kong doomed to be killed because humans can’t behave? Are they being blamed for causing a nuisance because we don’t take care of our garbage properly? Leung Siu-fai, director of the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department, recently said that it is necessary for the Department to euthanise some boars because the Hongkongers feeding them “have too much love” for animals. Lawmaker Elizabeth Quat Pui-fan slammed the department for not addressing the problem of the boars. Hongkongers keep illegally feeding the boars, which begs the question of who is the real problem – the boars being encouraged to enjoy an easy meal or the people who feed them? But there is no such thing as having “too much love” for animals; rather, we need to treat them with far more kindness. In Hong Kong, with so many buildings forbidding residents from enjoying the companionship of animals, we have limited opportunities to learn compassion. Maybe people feed boars to compensate for Hong Kong being a pet-unfriendly city. There are humane methods of controlling wild boars, and we need to change our own behaviour towards our city’s wildlife. They are not the problem, we are. Joan Miyaoka, Sha Tin