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Hong Kong environmental issues
OpinionLetters

Letters | If Hong Kong’s new Legislative Council wants to protect livelihoods, start with the environment

  • From renewable energy and cleaner air to better waste collection and recycling, the list is long and urgent
  • Legislators must work work with the government to ensure Hong Kong can meet its target of becoming carbon neutral in 2050

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A man stands on rocks at Lei Yue Mun looking out over Victoria Harbour on a high air-pollution day in June last year. Photo: Photo: Sam Tsang
Letters
Hong Kong’s 90 newly elected lawmakers swore an oath of allegiance on Monday, marking the start of the new term of the Legislative Council. Many legislators promised to safeguard the livelihoods of people. Will they remain true to their word, which by extension means protecting the environment of Hong Kong?
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Climate change is threatening the world with rising temperatures, higher sea levels and extreme weather. The Hong Kong government has pledged to cut carbon emissions by half by 2035 and become carbon neutral by 2050.

Legislators must hold the government accountable by demanding a greater supply of renewable energy – from both local development and regional collaboration. Last month, China’s largest offshore wind farm in Jiangsu went into full operation.

01:53

Grim warning for Hong Kong as UN releases major report on climate crisis

Grim warning for Hong Kong as UN releases major report on climate crisis
Hong Kong should tap the Greater Bay Area’s wealth of renewable energy, instead of bemoaning how difficult it is to produce it locally. It would also help to follow the mainland and global trends on pricing carbon to drive a low carbon transition.

Despite massive improvements over the years, air pollution still places a massive health care burden on the society – more heavily on poorer individuals and communities. Nitrogen dioxide pollution, particularly roadside, regularly exceeds Hong Kong’s own air quality objectives.

Legislators must press the government to introduce the long-overdue electronic road pricing and a vehicle quota system to tackle rising car numbers. Congestion pricing policies have been in discussion in Hong Kong for about 40 years. During that period, several cities around the world have adopted such policies with much success.

06:47

SCMP Explains: How does Hong Kong handle its waste?

SCMP Explains: How does Hong Kong handle its waste?

Waste continues to be a long-standing issue for Hong Kong. In particular, organic and plastic waste still makes up most of the over 10,000 tonnes of waste being disposed of every day in the city’s landfills. It is high time Hong Kong went beyond pilot schemes and set up a citywide system for collecting and recycling food and organic waste.

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