How Hong Kong can lead Asia on climate change through innovation
- As the city strives to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, the rest of Asia will look to Hong Kong for best practices, inspiration and support
- By being ahead of the innovation curve, Hong Kong has a chance to be an early mover and reap the economic rewards for going green
Although I am writing from the United Kingdom, far from Hong Kong and on a different continent, we live under one world climate. If we do not transition to renewable energy sources and reach net-zero targets, summers will continue to get hotter, weather more erratic and energy bills higher.
In previous years, many people saw being sustainable as requiring major sacrifices – making hefty investments in new processes and technologies for little economic gain.
This is now demonstrably not the case. Great innovation is under way with accessible, inspiring and ingenious ideas being commercialised every day across the world, including in Hong Kong and the UK.
MacRebur recycles plastics to make road surfaces. Notpla has made food and drinks packaging disappear, and Belu’s filtration technology reduces the sale of bottled water by making tap water safer and more palatable.
There is growing evidence that green industries are better for job creation. Green energy development can provide more jobs compared to investment in the fossil fuels sector.
Hong Kong, a leader in Asia, is ready to propel a grander sustainability effort. As the city strives to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, the rest of Asia will look to Hong Kong for best practices, inspiration and support.
COP26: No more blah blah blah, we need climate action
In Hong Kong, partnerships with British entities are working to decarbonise public transport, and smart street lights are illuminating the city. Consultants, designers and engineers are collaborating to build some of the world’s most sustainable buildings.
The government has indicated several areas of focus to accelerate its ambitions. These are energy supply, low-emission transport, low-carbon technologies, air quality, waste management, smart city infrastructure and sustainable finance.
If we are to build a better and brighter world, all of us need to fuel the sustainability adjustment for our organisations and communities. I urge you to seek innovative solutions for your sustainability goals. Find the partnerships that will enable you and your company to save energy, save water and reduce waste.
The pandemic has shown that we can take collective action to prevent the spread of infection and save lives. The climate emergency requires the same. Let’s collectively and collaboratively implement today the sustainability solutions of tomorrow.
Ken O’Flaherty is the UK government’s COP26 Regional Ambassador to Asia-Pacific and South Asia