Hong Kong's Environment Secretary Highlights Climate Action at COP30 in Brazil, Aims for Carbon Neutrality by 2050

2025-11-12 12:15 Last Updated At：12:43

SEE attends COP30 China Pavilion's side event in Brazil

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, attended the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, on November 11 (Belém time). He met with the Chinese delegation and delivered a speech at the China Pavilion's side event.

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SEE attends COP30 China Pavilion's side event in Brazil Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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SEE attends COP30 China Pavilion's side event in Brazil Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

In the morning, Mr Tse, together with the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, and the Commissioner for Climate Change of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Mr Arthur Lee, met with the head of the Chinese delegation, Mr Li Gao, to exchange views on the work of the country and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on climate change actions and green transition.

In the afternoon, Mr Tse attended the China Pavilion's side event, guided by the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and cohosted by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the HKSAR Government, Friends of the Earth (HK) and the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council. The side event, titled Converging Innovation in Hong Kong: Forging a Resilient City and a Global Green Finance Hub, focused on exploring Hong Kong's role, achievements, and strategies in addressing climate change. Key discussion areas include climate action, energy transition, green and sustainable finance, climate resilience enhancement, and strengthening regional and international co-operation frameworks.

In his opening speech, Mr Tse said that, to tackle climate change, Hong Kong stopped building coal-fired power plants in 1997 and reached its carbon peak in 2014. Greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by about a quarter now, compared to the peak in 2014. The per-capita greenhouse gas emissions fell nearly 30 per cent to below 4.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is about a quarter of that of the United States and 60 per cent of the European Union.

Mr Tse added that Hong Kong targets to reduce Hong Kong's emissions by half before 2035, and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. He shared that the HKSAR Government has put forward a four-pronged strategy in the Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050: namely net-zero electricity supply, energy saving and green buildings, green transport, and zero waste landfilling. Related energy measures include stopping the use of coal for power generation by 2035, increasing the share of zero carbon electricity supply to over 60 per cent, and publishing the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong last year to build a framework environment to the local development of hydrogen in a prudent and orderly manner.

He said that Hong Kong is also progressing well in promoting green transport. Out of 10 newly registered private cars, seven are now electric. A public charging network based on super-fast charging technologies is being developed and an electric vehicle battery recycling facility will be put into operation next year.

On waste-to-energy, the first large-scale waste-to-energy facility is coming into operation this month and the second one is being tendered for completion by 2030. Hong Kong is also working with the Chinese Mainland to develop a production base for sustainable aviation fuel in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-MacaoGreater Bay area as well as gearing up to develop Hong Kong into a green maritime fuel bunkering and trading centre.

Regarding green finance, Mr Tse stated that as an international financial centre and sustainable finance hub in Asia, Hong Kong can help channel international capital to support the green transition. He illustrated, with an example, that as of October 2025, the HKSAR Government has issued green bonds totalling an equivalent of about US$31 billion. Furthermore, the Hong Kong Sustainability Disclosure Standards was implemented to fully align with the global baseline set by the International Sustainability Standards Board.

Mr Tse expressed that international co-operation is critical for tackling the challenge of climate change. "The low carbon green transition is a difficult journey, and yet it has opened up many new collaboration opportunities. Hong Kong looks forward to working hand in hand with all of you to build a climate resilient and sustainable future for our next generations," said Mr Tse.

Other guest speakers at the event included the President of the BRI International Green Development Coalition and former Vice Minister of the MEE, Mr Zhao Yingmin; the Chairman of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development, Dr Lam Ching-choi;the Secretary General of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, Mr Gino Van Begin; and Vice-Chairperson of Friends of the Earth (HK) Ms Ophelia Lin.

Mr Poon and Mr Lee also spoke at the roundtable forum of the side event to exchange views with other speakers on accelerating energy transition and achieving carbon neutrality. Dr Lam spoke at another forum session to exchange views with other speakers on the topic of Building Climate-Resilient Cities: Managing Climate and Health Risks.

TACO Seizes 800 Suspected Alternative Smoking Products in Enforcement Operation

DH conducts operation to crack down on illegal online sales of alternative smoking products

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (July 21) that it conducted an enforcement operation codenamed "Thunderstone" yesterday (July 20), to crack down on the illegal online sales of alternative smoking products (ASPs). A man was stopped for investigation and 800 suspected ASPs were seized.

Through routine online and offline inspections, TACO officers discovered illegal online sales of ASPs and conducted an operation yesterday. A 20-year-old man was stopped for investigation on suspicion of illegally selling and possessing ASPs for commercial purposes. A total of 800 suspected ASPs were seized. TACO is following up on the case and charges will be laid against the suspect when sufficient evidence is found.

According to the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), a person who imports ASPs, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, commits an offence and isliable on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years, or is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.The Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) prohibits the promotion, manufacture, sale and possession for commercial purposes of ASPs. Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months. From April 30,2026, any person who possesses specified ASPs, including e-cigarette capsules, liquids, heat sticks and herbal cigarettes in public places is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. If the quantity possessed exceeds the specified limit or involves commercial purposes, the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

The DH reminds the public that promoting and selling ASPs through any channel, including the Internet, also carries criminal liability. Do not risk breaking the law. The public is also reminded that purchasing ASPs online may involve their importation and may constitute a breach of the law.

The DH also reminds members of the public that ASPs are addictive and are not effective smoking cessation tools. E-cigarettes may increase the risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Smokers are urged to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For assistance, please call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, or visit www.livetobaccofree.hk for information on quitting.

Hong Kong's Environment Secretary Highlights Climate Action at COP30 in Brazil, Aims for Carbon Neutrality by 2050

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