The following is issued on behalf of the Council for Sustainable Development:

     After an extensive public engagement process, the Council for Sustainable Development (SDC) submitted to the Government its report on Hong Kong's long-term decarbonisation strategy on November 13.

     Chairman of the SDC, Professor Arthur Li, said today (November 25), "We are very glad that, having heard the recommendations in the SDC's report, the Chief Executive announced in the Policy Address today that Hong Kong would strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.

     "It is a challenge for Hong Kong to strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, which requires collaborative efforts across the Government, businesses, non-profit sector and individuals. Yet at the same time, it offers new opportunities for the Hong Kong economy, intensifies the development of green enterprises and creates jobs. Hong Kong, as an advanced international metropolis, should capitalise on its well-developed infrastructure, enable its talents to realise their potential, and promote local research and development. We should seize this opportunity and work together so that Hong Kong can strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050," Professor Li added.

     In its report released on November 13, the SDC said that Hong Kong should set out a progressive long-term vision for advancing to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Based on this vision, the SDC proposed six overarching objectives and 55 recommendations across eight key areas, namely, Target; Lifestyles; Education, Training and Research; Built Environment; Energy; Transport; City Planning and Management; and Finance.

Ends/Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:45

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