https://www.scmp.com/rss/522245/feed The latest news and top stories on The Green Earth. A prominent Hong Kong-based non-profit environmental organisation, The Green Earth (TGE) was co-founded in 2016. It is dedicated to fostering a sustainable living environment by igniting green energy within the community, promoting resource conservation, and cultivating a zero-waste culture. TGE’s main areas of activity include green education, community recycling, nature conservation, and addressing core issues such as plastic pollution, waste... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. The recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East has shattered long-held assumptions about the invulnerability of the region’s premier wealth hubs. For a decade, Dubai successfully marketed itself as a safe haven for the global elite, attracting vast capital flows drawn to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3349988/hong-kong-perfect-complement-dubai-not-replacement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3349988/hong-kong-perfect-complement-dubai-not-replacement?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:30:11 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Plastic pollution, long associated with marine degradation and contaminated soil, is increasingly recognised as a pressing urban health concern. Recent scientific findings indicate that Hong Kong’s residents may be inhaling large quantities of microscopic plastic particles daily.... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3345727/hong-kong-cannot-afford-ignore-threat-microplastic-pollution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3345727/hong-kong-cannot-afford-ignore-threat-microplastic-pollution?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong environmental groups have urged the government to focus on accelerating the commercial use of electric vehicles and enhancing green infrastructure, after scrapping a tax concession scheme for private cars that has cost HK$30 billion over the past decade. Green groups said on Friday that they supported the government’s decision to end the first registration tax (FRT) concessions for private electric cars, including the “One-for-One Replacement Scheme”. The move was announced by... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3344934/commercial-ev-use-needs-boost-after-car-owner-tax-break-ends-green-groups-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3344934/commercial-ev-use-needs-boost-after-car-owner-tax-break-ends-green-groups-say?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 04:00:16 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung About 75 per cent of paper waste and 40 per cent of plastic items sent to landfills are unclassified, according to official statistics, with environmentalists warning that such unclear records will undermine Hong Kong’s green efforts. However, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said it was “unnecessary” to change its waste-tracking system, arguing that the government already “has an idea” of what fell under the “others” category and had taken steps to address it. The lack of detail... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3341181/hong-kongs-unclassified-landfill-waste-data-gaps-undermine-green-efforts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3341181/hong-kongs-unclassified-landfill-waste-data-gaps-undermine-green-efforts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 02:00:21 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Japan’s restarting of the world’s biggest nuclear power plant is a bold response to energy insecurity, economic stagnation and climate imperatives. In contrast to intermittent, weather-dependent renewable sources such as wind and solar, nuclear power offers reliable 24/7... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3339820/japan-should-put-more-eggs-renewable-basket?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3339820/japan-should-put-more-eggs-renewable-basket?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:30:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The recent discovery of two new coral species in waters close to urban Hong Kong was a welcome surprise. The hopeful sign of resilience and richness of the city’s biodiversity should drive efforts to better protect the fragile assets from development and tourism. Researchers from Baptist University revealed on January 5 that they had identified the new soft corals, species that were previously unknown worldwide, in an area about 5 km (3 miles) southeast of Hong Kong Island’s Shek O Beach. One of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3339707/hong-kongs-biodiversity-strategy-must-be-clear-and-comprehensive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3339707/hong-kongs-biodiversity-strategy-must-be-clear-and-comprehensive?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 23:15:11 +0000 Elizabeth Cheung,Willa Wu Elizabeth Cheung,Willa Wu Concern groups have called for a more concrete timeline and clearer details in an updated action plan for Hong Kong’s biodiversity strategy, which for the first time lists assessing the capacity of ecotourism hotspots as a priority. The government on Wednesday unveiled its updated Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which covers four strategic areas – nature conservation, deepening mainstreaming, capacity building and collaborative partnering. It lists 30 priority actions and 81... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3338339/groups-welcome-updated-hong-kong-biodiversity-plan-call-more-details?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3338339/groups-welcome-updated-hong-kong-biodiversity-plan-call-more-details?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 01:30:17 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s controversial waste-charging scheme has been repeatedly delayed and was finally shelved for the foreseeable future, in the face of public opposition and economic headwinds. Meanwhile, the city’s solid waste levels declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, with the 10,510 tonnes going to landfills daily, down by 3.4 per cent from 10,884 tonnes the previous year. This does nothing to clarify the future of the scheme, with Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan having... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3337993/hong-kong-still-needs-waste-charging-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3337993/hong-kong-still-needs-waste-charging-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:15:07 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong’s municipal solid waste levels at landfills fell to 3.85 million tonnes in 2024, marking three straight years of declines, but green groups have warned the trend could be short-lived following the shelving of a controversial waste-charging scheme last year. The latest figures from authorities on Monday also showed the average daily quantity of waste going to landfills was 10,510 tonnes, representing a 3.4 per cent decrease from 10,884 tonnes in 2023. The amount of plastic waste... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3337377/hong-kongs-solid-waste-levels-dip-third-year-green-groups-still-worried?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3337377/hong-kongs-solid-waste-levels-dip-third-year-green-groups-still-worried?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:17:16 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words As the 15th National Games draw to a close, Hong Kong celebrates not only the outstanding achievements of its athletes but also the success of staging a truly “clean and green” mega event. The games embodied sustainability from the outset. Jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3334441/national-games-hong-kong-has-model-green-mega-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3334441/national-games-hong-kong-has-model-green-mega-event?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Nov 2025 03:30:09 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Ten years have passed since the hopeful Paris Agreement was endorsed by almost 200 nations during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (Cop21) in Paris back in 2015. Will the Cop30 currently under way near the Amazon rainforest in Brazil bring us some good news? This... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3332410/leaders-cop30-must-act-conscience-prevent-climate-hell?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3332410/leaders-cop30-must-act-conscience-prevent-climate-hell?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2025 03:30:09 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma A migratory wild owl spotted in Hong Kong over the past week has attracted scores of photographers, sparking a warning from environmental groups after a video of wildlife enthusiasts provoking the nocturnal bird for pictures went viral. In the video, a northern boobook, a migratory owl that stops in Hong Kong during spring and autumn, is seen being bothered by wildlife photographers who mimic hoots and taunt it for “being sleepy” during daytime. “Without your noises, it’s falling asleep... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3332251/green-ngo-warns-hong-kong-shutterbugs-who-dont-give-hoot-about-owls-welfare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3332251/green-ngo-warns-hong-kong-shutterbugs-who-dont-give-hoot-about-owls-welfare?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:54:04 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Shipping accounts for around 3 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2023, the International Maritime Organisation published a GHG reduction strategy aiming for the international... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3325817/onshore-power-hong-kong-could-bring-about-sea-change-emissions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3325817/onshore-power-hong-kong-could-bring-about-sea-change-emissions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 03:30:09 +0000 Emily Hung,Lynn Zhang Emily Hung,Lynn Zhang In Hong Kong’s Kwai Tsing neighbourhood, a community recycling station has been quietly making an impact since opening in 2019. Green@Kwai Tsing, operated by the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, serves as a collection point for various items that are sent to recyclers. Twelve mobile collection spots are also set up in the neighbourhood every week. Back in 2019, the station collected 20 tonnes of recyclables each month, but that has since surged to about 60 tonnes. “We have... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3322938/hong-kong-really-cutting-trash-year-after-axing-waste-charging-plan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3322938/hong-kong-really-cutting-trash-year-after-axing-waste-charging-plan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Aug 2025 01:00:29 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has been soliciting public views for his fourth policy address while stressing the importance of boosting the economy, innovative development and people’s... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3321452/hong-kong-chief-executive-cant-treat-environment-side-dish?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3321452/hong-kong-chief-executive-cant-treat-environment-side-dish?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Aug 2025 03:30:08 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, the global adoption of generative AI has surged, with daily active users reaching an estimated 115 million to 180 million this year. AI tools are now integral to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3319098/you-are-adding-carbon-emissions-each-question-you-ask-ai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3319098/you-are-adding-carbon-emissions-each-question-you-ask-ai?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Jul 2025 03:30:07 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification I started my rewarding, though at times frustrating, 36-year environmental journey in mid-1989. As not everyone cared about the environment back then, promoting environmental protection was like... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3316941/taking-stock-36-years-environmental-protection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3316941/taking-stock-36-years-environmental-protection?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Jul 2025 03:30:23 +0000