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

Carbon Reduction Action - Continuation Ceremony held today

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Latest progress on suspected leakage of leachate from WENT Landfill

Regarding the suspected leakage of leachate from West New Territories (WENT) Landfill that occurred yesterday (July 8), a spokesperson for theEnvironmental Protection Department (EPD)provided the following details on the latest progress of the follow-up work:

The landfill contractor confirmed the source of the leakage last night and immediately commenced containment of the leakage at the source, remediation and overnight monitoring. Following urgent interception, the leakage of leachate through a stormwater outfall to Tai Shui Hang stopped last night, and no abnormalities were observed at the stormwater outfall and in nearby water bodies. Affected by the heavy rain early this morning, a small amount of leachate was spotted at the source location, which was a temporary condition during maintenance work. The contractor then immediately strengthened the pumping and interception measures. No leachate flowed into the downstream stormwater outfall or Tai Shui Hang, and the situation remains under control.

After on-site investigation, the incident is believed to have caused by a blockage in sub-soil leachate trench beneath the landfill's operational area, coupled with persistent heavy rain yesterday afternoon. This resulted in leachate flowing together with rainwater into the stormwater drains along the landfill haul roads, and subsequently to Tai Shui Hang. The contractor completed the source remediation work this morning, which included intercepting the leak and continuing to remove any remaining leachate. At the same time, further preventive and cleanup measures have been implemented, including removing stagnant water from the drainage channels and installing additional silt curtain in Tai Shui Hang to enhance containment. The contractor will continue to thoroughly clean the affected stormwater outfall to remove any traces of leachate remaining on the inner walls of the outfall.

The EPD further confirmed that no new leakage was found on-site during an investigation this morning, while tankers remain on standby at the scene as a precautionary measure. Based on on-site observations and the performance of the silt curtains, the EPD assessed that the amount of leachate leaked into Tai Shui Hang yesterday was limited. Given that the rainy season has begun, the EPD has demanded that the contractor strengthen the inspection and maintenance of the sub-soil leachate trenches and the drainage system to minimise the risk of similar incidents occurring during periods of intense rain.

In addition, the EPD continued today to collect water samples from Tai Shui Hang and the Deep Bay to monitor any changes in water quality. Preliminary analysis revealed that pH and the dissolved oxygen levels in the water samples are within the normal ranges,without signs of significant change in water quality. No fish deaths were found at the scene, and there were no signs of any significant ecological impact nearby. The EPD will continue to closely monitor the water quality in Tai Shui Hang and the Deep Bay.

Source: AI-found images