Hong Kong's Environment Chief Addresses APEC Energy Meeting on Sustainable Solutions and Carbon Reduction Goals.

SEE attends APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Korea

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting (EMM) held in Busan, Korea, today (August 27). Under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow" for APEC this year, the meeting will focus discussions on topics under three priorities: "Connect, Innovate, Prosper".

Speaking at the opening session, Mr Tse said, "Under the 'one country, two-systems' principle, Hong Kong, China remains to be the freest economy of the world and the world's third most competitive international financial centre, and operates under the common law system. We will continue to serve as a platform and hub to connect the world to develop new energy solutions to diversify power resources to support the development of energy-hungry artificial intelligence and related industries. At the same time, we should not forget innovation to improve energy efficiency to make new technological developments sustainable."

APEC economies consume approximately 60 per cent of the world's energy. Mr Tse pointed out that with the concerted efforts of different sectors of the community, as of 2022, the aggregate energy intensity in Hong Kong, China has decreased by over 30 per cent, using 2005 as the base year.While the electricity consumption in the past 20 years has increased by 15 per cent, the emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates due to power generation have been reduced by 98 per cent, 77 per cent and 86 per cent respectively. After Hong Kong reached its carbon peak in 2014, the carbon emissions have been reduced by about a quarter compared to the peak.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government endeavours to cut the city's carbon emissions by half before 2035 compared to the 2005 level, and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. The HKSAR Government has set the target to phase out coal for daily electricity generation by 2035, and increase the share of zero carbon energy in the fuel mix for electricity generation to about 60 to 70 per cent by 2035.

Mr Tse also shared that the HKSAR Government has been embracing AI to improve grid management and strengthen the resilience of power supply system. On green finance, the total green and sustainable debt issued in Hong Kong in 2024 exceeded US$84 billion, ranking first in the Asian market for seven consecutive years. Furthermore, Hong Kong holds green mega events from time to time, such as the Hong Kong Green Week and Eco Expo Asia, to strengthen liaison and co-operation between different sectors.

Mr Tse will join discussion sessions tomorrow (August 28) and have bilateral meetings with representatives from other APEC member economies.

SEE attends APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Korea Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE attends APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Korea Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE attends APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Korea Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EPD highly concerned over industrial accident at yard waste recycling centre

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is highly concerned over an industrial accident that occurred yesterday (January 16) at the yard waste recycling centre, Y·PARK in Tuen Mun, and extends its sympathies to the injured worker and his family members.

At around 2pm yesterday, a worker sustained injury when his left palm was severed while attempting to clear stuck debris at an operating wood chipping machine. He remained conscious and was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment. The EPD immediately deployed staff to the hospital after the incident to understand the condition of the injured and provide his family members with appropriate assistance.

The EPD notified the Labour Department and the Police in the first instance. Staff from the Labour Department conducted on-site inspection and issued a suspension notice to the contractor, requiring suspension of operation of the concerned machinery until all improvement measures have been implemented. The EPD requested the contractor to fully co-operate with the Labour Department in its investigation, and demanded an incident report from the contractor within three days.

The safety of its facilities remains the top priority of the EPD, with close monitoring of contractors' operation in place. On the contractor's front, daily regular on-site inspections on occupational safety conditions and safety training for employees and its subcontractors are part of their requirements.

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases