Hong Kong Celebrates Milestone in Carbon Neutrality Campaign at Ocean Park Ceremony

2025-01-04 17:19 Last Updated At：17:28

Carbon Reduction Action - Continuation Ceremony held today

The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:

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Carbon Reduction Action - Continuation Ceremony held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Carbon Reduction Action - Continuation Ceremony held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) held the Carbon Reduction Action - Continuation Ceremony at the Applause Pavilion in Ocean Park Hong Kong today (January 4), signifying a new milestone in the Carbon Neutrality Publicity Campaign as members of the public join together to sustain efforts to reduce the carbon footprint.

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, officiated at the ceremony. Other officiating guests included the Chairman of the ECC, MsGrace Kwok; the Vice-Chairman of the ECC, Mr Wong Chi-keung; the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Mr Eddie Cheung; and the Commissioner for Climate Change, Mr Arthur Lee.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Tse said that the Carbon Neutrality Publicity Campaign launched by the ECC in 2022 has raised public awareness of carbon reduction. The Carbon Reduction Action rolled out in November last year aims to encourage the public to turn their awareness of carbon reduction into action by changing their daily habits to practise low-carbon living. In addition to active participation from citizens, the Campaign has received strong support from nearly 150 strategic and collaborating partners from public and business organisations, non-profit organisations, school sponsoring bodies, etc. Some organisations have further committed to taking on innovative and sustainable carbon reduction measures in their operations, thus contributing positively to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 for Hong Kong. Looking ahead, Mr Tse said he hoped that members of the public would persevere and continue to integrate carbon reduction actions in their daily lives.

Ms Kwok mentioned in her welcoming remarks that, in line with the carbon reduction strategies of the Government's Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050, the ECC has encouraged the public through various channels to support waste reduction at source, energy saving and green transport. In the future, the ECC will continue to encourage the public to reduce carbon emissions and establish a culture of green and low-carbon living. She called on members of the public to work together and inspire their friends and families to change their habits and reduce carbon emissions together to create a greener and more sustainable living environment for future generations.

Mr Tse commended 17 key strategic partners of the Carbon Reduction Action at the ceremony for their planned adoption of innovative and sustainable carbon reduction measures in their operations, including energy-saving innovations, smart food-waste processing systems, green transport and promotion of carbon reduction education, which will contribute actively to achieving the Government's carbon reduction targets set in the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050.

The ceremony was attended by about 300 individuals, including representatives from various corporate partners, student members of the Ocean Park Conservation Alliance – Seahorse Rangers and Student Environmental Protection Ambassadors of the ECC.

Paul Chan Promotes Hong Kong's Economic Advantages in Meetings with EU Officials in Brussels.

FS begins visit to Brussels, Belgium (with photos/video)

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, yesterday (May 20, Paris time) proceeded to visit Brussels, Belgium, during which he met with a number of European Union (EU) officials and European business leaders to promote Hong Kong's advantages.

After arriving in Brussels, Mr Chan met respectively with the Deputy Director-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union of the European Commission, Dr Alexandra Jour-Schroeder; the Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service, Mr Erik Kurzweil; and the Hors Classe Adviser in the Directorate-General for Budget of the European Commission, Mr Siegfried Ruhl. They exchanged views on the experience of Hong Kong and Europe in areas including the economy, finance, trade and fiscal policy, and explored ways to further promote co-operation and build closer, mutually beneficial and win-win relations.

During the above meetings, Mr Chan briefed them on Hong Kong's economic and financial development. He pointed out that, amid the current challenging international political and economic environment, Hong Kong, under "one country, two systems", maintains its status as a free port, with the free flow of capital, information and talent. Hong Kong also adheres to international best practices in business, accounting and professional services, has stable and predictable economic and trade policies, and continues to innovate and develop its financial markets. He welcomed the European business and investment communities to make full use of Hong Kong as a platform to raise funds for developing markets in the Chinese Mainland and Asia.

Mr Chan also said that there is room for Hong Kong and Europe to strengthen co-operation in various fields, and that the two sides should engage in more exchanges of experience, mutual learning and joint development. For example, in the financial sector, the two sides could explore arrangements for dual listing by European enterprises in the two markets, develop fixed-income and currency markets, promote green finance and financial innovation, and better channel private savings to support industries and economic development.

Mr Chan also met with the Chief Executive Officer of Euroclear, a European financial intermediary institution, Ms Valérie Urbain, to exchange views on the global economic situation and financial market developments. In addition, he met with the representative of a renowned local family to learn about the development of its group's business in Hong Kong and Asia, and introduced Hong Kong's advantages in various aspects. He suggested that the group increase its investment in Hong Kong and use Hong Kong as its regional headquarters for managing its business and treasury activities in the region.

He also called on the Head of Mission and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the European Union, Mr Cai Run, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr Fei Shengchao. They had in-depth exchanges on China-Europe relations and the latest developments in Hong Kong.

Mr Chan will depart today (May 21, Brussels time) for the visit to Zurich, Switzerland.

Hong Kong Celebrates Milestone in Carbon Neutrality Campaign at Ocean Park Ceremony

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