‘Private firms are obviously looking at the torch that is potentially coming for themselves,’ when it comes to declaring emissions goals, says Net Zero Tracker project leader

Ten remain missing in hard-hit cities of Qingyuan and Shaoguan as rescuers race to save trapped residents after intense rain brings water levels above 50-year highs in parts of Bei River, a tributary of the Pearl River.

Ampace is betting on a boom in home energy storage systems and the ‘batterification’ of tools and electronic devices as it aims to solidify an already dominant position in a part of the market away from electric cars and smartphones.

Hong Kong think tank says annual water use by Chinese data facilities – almost half of which are in dry regions – could more than double by 2030, while AI chatbots ‘drink staggering amounts of water’ to cool themselves down.

At the Harvard College China Forum, participants said existential threats such as global warming cannot be solved unless the two countries move beyond their mutual distrust.

China accounted for two-thirds of the coal-burning power capacity that came online last year, according to Global Energy Monitor, which ‘starkly contrasts with the global trend, putting China’s 2025 climate targets at risk’.

There is a growing need for advanced climate modelling and risk-assessment analytics for better disaster preparedness, as well as planning to reduce risk, protect lives and promote resilience, according to Aon.

Avant Meats is expanding its lab-grown seafood production capacity amid growing popularity of sustainable seafood.

‘Excess capacity poses risks not only to American workers and firms and to the global economy, but also to productivity and growth in the Chinese economy,’ Yellen says.

The nation’s largest oil and gas producer says it is on track to peak carbon emissions next year and double the contribution of low-carbon energy to its output capacity over two years, top leaders say.

An estimated US$50 billion pledged by China for infrastructure in Southeast Asia has yet to manifest in completed projects according to a recent study, raising questions over the efficacy of the country’s Belt and Road Initiative.

A drought in China’s southwest has stoked fears the dry period could have severe knock-on effects, with agriculture, hydroelectric power and aluminium production all facing potential shortfalls.

Government plans to establish a clear pathway on sustainability reporting for businesses in Hong Kong this year, a move that is ‘essential’ to ‘reinforcing Hong Kong’s leading position on the international sustainable-finance map’, says financial services secretary.

Towngas, which last raised its basic tariff by 4.4 per cent in August 2022, is under pressure to lift gas tariffs this year ‘as we need to invest further in our network infrastructure’, managing director Peter Wong says.

China’s 2025 decarbonisation goals are in danger of veering off track after policymakers redefined a key energy target that could drive emissions higher, climate experts warn.

‘Modest adjustments’ to plans for use of electric arc furnaces versus coal-fired furnaces would accelerate emissions cuts, US think tank Global Energy Monitor says.

More than 200 greentech companies currently operate in the city, of which some are equipped with ‘globally competitive’ technologies and are making inroads into the mainland Chinese and overseas markets.

More frequent and intense global heatwaves will disrupt supply chains and trigger domino effect of GDP loss among major economies, new study says.

The government should further open the local environment-protection market to attract investment from Greater Bay Area companies, says a vice-president at the Hong Kong-listed company.

China’s global dominance in the production of three key energy transition products – electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels – will face more challenges this year from industry overcapacity, price wars and trade barriers, French bank Natixis says.

Hong Kong’s recycling pace lags that in Europe and the US, but government intervention could help transform the landscape as growing landfills contaminate the soil.

Hong Kong launched a week-long series of sustainability-themed discussions, exhibitions and events as the city pushes its plan to transform itself into a centre for both green technology and green finance solutions.

The battery industry is in the middle or late stage of a market clearing and is expected to break even and turn profitable next year, according to Sealand Securities.

China is at risk of missing its climate targets and suffering major economic losses unless it takes decisive actions to put a halt to runaway coal power plant expansion and reform outdated power grid management, says Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

‘Hong Kong has three strengths that are indispensable for fostering climate financing: technical, legal and financial knowledge,’ says Riccardo Puliti, IFC regional vice-president.