They say every cloud has a silver lining. Since the rounding up of those who were part of the birthday party scandal, quarantine for close contacts has been reduced to 14 days . Is common sense finally beginning to prevail? Catching Covid-19 is not a criminal offence, but those deemed close contacts are being subjected to a mental endurance test. To shut people into a small room and not allow them to leave for a long period of time subjects them to a stressful ordeal, possibly leading to mental trauma. Residents told to come forward because of a Covid-19 case being found in their vicinity know full well what lies ahead of them. It is certainly not a temporary, relaxing stay at a holiday camp with entertainment and good food thrown in. The name Penny’s Bay sends a chill of fear down most people’s spines given the horrific tales circulating from previous inmates. Instead of our partygoers shamelessly pointing the finger of blame at others for the plight in which they now find themselves, perhaps they should try to redeem themselves in the eyes of the public by demanding much-needed improvements to our quarantine facilities so the mental health of those at Penny’s Bay is safeguarded instead of being ignored. With first-hand experience and time on their hands to give it careful thought, I am optimistic their proposals will benefit the rest of us and encourage people to immediately come forward rather than to contemplate how to evade detection. Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific deserves better. We should be thanking its staff for their efforts to keep us connected instead of hunting for reasons to cripple the company . Most Cathay employees have strictly adhered to regulations, faithfully serving us Hongkongers under horrendous quarantine conditions and putting us first. No company can fully control the actions of every single one of its staff. A witch hunt against Cathay is despicable. Maybe those responsible should consider the repercussions of such action more carefully. If Cathay is forced to take the fall for staff behaviour, isn’t that applicable elsewhere, too? To all Cathay Pacific employees: thank you for your dedicated service and for keeping the much-needed cargo flights going so we don’t have to suffer food shortages. You are appreciated. Joan Miyaoka, Sha Tin Officials are expected to suffer hardship with the people Is it really heartwarming that Raymond Young Lap-moon, himself a former public official, spoke up for officials who attended a large birthday party after the secretary for health had advised Hongkongers to do their part to avoid the outbreak of a fifth wave (“What rules exactly did Hong Kong officials break by attending a birthday party?”, January 11 )? It is not a question of “rules” but the public expectations that public officers, particularly senior officials, set an example and in troubled times suffer hardship with the people. This should be crystal clear from the subsequent community outrage and media reaction. Helen C.P. Lai Yu, Tai Po Hong Kong’s emissions target on par with Tokyo, Seoul I refer to your article on an NGO report that said Hong Kong was “not living up to climate commitments under Paris Agreement” ( December 16 ). The goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. This goal is to be achieved by reaching peak global greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and achieving a climate-neutral world by mid-century. Because of previous efforts, Hong Kong’s carbon emissions peaked in 2014. In 2020, our per-capita carbon emissions were more than 25 per cent below the peak. To further our contribution according to the Paris Agreement, the government released the Climate Action Plan 2050 last October, setting out the strategies and actions to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. To push for early action, the plan adds an interim target to reduce Hong Kong’s carbon emissions by 50 per cent before 2035 compared to the 2005 level, which is more or less on par with Tokyo and Seoul. Tokyo’s emissions reduction target is 50 per cent by 2030 compared to levels from 2000. Seoul’s target is a 40 per cent reduction – not 60 per cent as mentioned in your report – by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The phasing out of coal for electricity generation has been identified as a challenge for many societies seeking carbon neutrality. Though Hong Kong once relied heavily on coal for electricity generation, we have prohibited the building of new coal-fired electricity plants from 1997, and the plan has further pledged to phase out coal for daily electricity generation by 2035. Although Hong Kong’s geographical setting limits its potential to develop large-scale renewable energy systems such as solar and wind, it has set an ambitious target of increasing the share of such energy from less than 1 per cent at present to 7.5 to 10 per cent, then to 15 per cent. It is also committed to exploring the use of new zero-carbon fuels such as hydrogen, as well as strengthening cooperation with neighbouring regions to achieve net zero electricity generation before 2050. These and other targets in the plan are supported with strategies, actions and measures. To show the government’s commitment, the government will devote about HK$240 billion (US$30.8 billion) to take forward various measures on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Daniel Tang, principal environmental protection officer (cross-boundary and international), Environmental Protection Department
