How Hong Kong can tackle the climate crisis and its economic problems at the same time
- In the midst of a climate emergency, a solutions-based approach is the way forward, pairing local innovation with government regulation
- This can give Hong Kong a better chance of going green and becoming one of the first zero-carbon cities, which would help diversify the economy
Championing a solutions-based approach is the best way to overcome this paralysis. In this context, I would like to commend the work carried out within the “Hong Kong 2050 is Now” project, and go further by proposing a new institution to kick-start Hong Kong’s efforts to address climate change.
Unfortunately, we do not have the luxury of time in the midst of a climate emergency. The way forward is to pair local innovation, especially by engineers, financial professionals and young people, with government regulation.
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First, the centre would spearhead innovation and entrepreneurship by providing funding for climate-related business plans and hosting competitions to generate creative solutions and raise the profile of the zero-carbon mission.
For example, a signature annual event could award prestigious prizes, highlighting the best new green tech solution for Hong Kong and the most innovative low-carbon finance mechanism. In addition, the top climate solutions put forward by start-ups, NGOs, universities and secondary schools would all be recognised.
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Second, the centre would back innovative research, generating and evaluating plans for the decarbonisation of Hong Kong, while speeding up the reorientation of our outstanding engineering talent towards emissions-reducing technology.
To this end, Hong Kong must engage with the Greater Bay Area to source clean energy, given the space required for most forms of renewable energy. Hong Kong researchers must therefore design renewable energy projects for the Bay Area.
Third, the centre would build capacity. A competitive fellowship scheme would teach aspiring environmentalists specialist skills such as campaigning. There would be a cross-fertilisation of ideas through another scheme in which officials from companies, NGOs and government departments are seconded to each other’s organisations.
The centre would also help spread locally generated climate solutions to Hong Kong organisations, especially smaller ones, through training programmes and technical workshops.
Lastly, a much greater effort is needed to communicate the changes required. Recent graduates could compete to serve as paid fellows at Hong Kong media companies with the goal of demystifying global and local scientific and technological breakthroughs.
Hong Kong philanthropists are well placed to help. Globally, only 3 per cent of charitable contributions go to the climate cause, which is inadequate given the gravity of the challenge, and the new centre would offer an innovative philanthropy initiative.
The centre could also play a role in diversifying the Hong Kong economy. The next big global market is green, and Hong Kong has a sufficiently large reservoir of engineering and financial capabilities to be a significant player. With this centre in place, Hong Kong would stand a greater chance of becoming one of the world’s first zero-carbon cities, a role model for the Greater Bay Area and an exporter of green services and technologies.
Justin Robertson is an associate professor at City University of Hong Kong and organiser of the Asian Sustainability Case Study Challenge and the CityU Sustainability Lecture Series