SEE attends high-level segment and Local Climate Action Summit of COP28 in Dubai (with photos)
3.12.2023

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (December 2, Dubai time) attended the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and joined discussions at the Local Climate Action Summit. In the summit, Mr Tse said that Hong Kong is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 and to contribute to our country's dual carbon targets, as such four major decarbonisation strategies have been set up, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction. He pointed out that, to reduce the carbon emissions from electricity generation which accounts for more than 60 per cent of the total carbon emissions in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has put much efforts in promoting the use of zero-carbon energy, with the target to cease using coal for daily electricity generation and increase the share of usage of zero-carbon energy in electricity generation to around 60 per cent to 70 per cent by 2035. "Hong Kong's carbon emissions reached its peak in 2014, thus we have set our interim target to reduce carbon emissions by half from the 2005 level before 2035. The HKSAR Government is actively exploring collaboration with neighbouring regions in zero-carbon energy projects, and will construct new infrastructure for receiving electricity transmitted to Hong Kong from nearby regions, so as to further increase the supply of zero-carbon energy to Hong Kong." Mr Tse said. In addition, Mr Tse added that, to reduce the carbon emissions from the transport sector, the HKSAR Government continues to promote the development of green transport, including the popularisation of electric vehicles through the "One-for-One Replacement" Scheme, active extension of charging facilities and facilitation of local hydrogen applications and supply. Nowadays, over 60 per cent of newly registered private cars are electric. Hong Kong is also developing itself as an international green technology and finance centre to support the financing required for green transition. The total amount of green bonds issued in Hong Kong accounts for one-third in Asia. In the morning of December 1 (Dubai time), Mr Tse and the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan, had a meeting with Special Envoy for Climate Change of China from the Chinese delegation, Mr Xie Zhenhua. Then, Mr Tse and Ms Yan met with Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment Mr Zhao Yingmin and the Director of the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Mr Xia Yingxian, to brief them on the Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050, the latest policies and measures of the HKSAR Government in combating climate change and the latest development of green finance in Hong Kong. After the meeting, Mr Tse and Ms Yan attended the high-level segment of COP28 as members of the Chinese delegation. Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, Mr Ding Xuexiang, delivered the National Statement at the high-level segment. Mr Tse also attended the Local Climate Action Summit. Mr Tse will attend the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group's Steering Committee meeting tomorrow (December 3, Dubai time).