Letters | Hong Kong’s latest greenhouse gas data shows challenges ahead

Readers discuss the city’s progress towards its decarbonisation goal, how the heat stress warning system could be made more effective, and what the megalodon’s fate should teach us

Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 19 Aug 2023

Why you can trust SCMP

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification.

The Hong Kong government’s recent release of the latest greenhouse gas emissions data presents a mixed picture of the city’s decarbonisation efforts. While there has been a 23 per cent decline in per capita emissions since 2014, total emissions rose by 4 per cent year on year in 2021, due to the resurgence of economic activity and electricity demand. This increase in total emissions, despite decreasing per capita emissions, underscores the challenge of reconciling economic development with climate targets.

One positive trend is the 2 per cent decrease in carbon intensity – a measure of greenhouse gasses emitted per Hong Kong dollar of gross domestic product – compared to 2020, indicating a continued decoupling of emissions from economic growth. However, the power sector still accounts for nearly 63 per cent of emissions, making it crucial to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources.

This is particularly important as electricity demand is expected to continue growing, driven by population growth and increasing economic activity.

The transport sector is the second largest emitter, responsible for almost 19 per cent of total emissions. Therefore, policies promoting electric vehicle adoption and public and active transport should be intensified.

The government expects there to be 80,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2025, but this will require significant investment in charging infrastructure and incentives for consumers to make the switch. Also, promoting public and active transport will require investment in infrastructure, such as expanding the MTR network and improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

Waste management, which accounts for 8.4 per cent of emissions, also requires specific attention from policymakers. The government is planning to introduce a waste charging scheme and building more recycling facilities. However, more needs to be done to reduce waste generation and boost recycling rates.

While there have been some positive developments, much remains to be done to meet the city’s ambitious climate targets. Indeed, achieving the government’s goal of carbon neutrality before 2050 will require more urgent, concrete and targeted policies across all major emitting sectors.

The government could prioritise the implementation of more stringent policies and investments in renewable energy, transport and waste management to ensure a sustainable future for the city. Perhaps more importantly, the government’s climate action plan must have more comprehensive and detailed interim targets. This will require significant investment and coordination across different sectors and stakeholders, but the benefits of a sustainable future for Hong Kong and its residents will be worth the effort.

Dr Sirui Han, assistant professor (research), Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Help workers with an improved heat warning system

Although a heat stress warning system was introduced in May to protect workers against heatstroke, it does not seem to adequately address varying temperatures and working conditions. A more scientific system may be needed.

The heat stress index is calculated from the relative humidity, intensity of sunlight and temperature recorded at the Tsim Sha Tsui observatory station. Using this formula, it shouldn’t be too difficult to establish the number of amber, red and black days in the summer months of the past 10 to 20 years. This would allow different sites to adapt summer work schedules accordingly.

Also, the average duration of the heat stress warnings that could have been issued in the past decades should be made public, to help determine appropriate times to start work.

For a large site where work will be in progress for years, it might be worth monitoring the relative humidity and so on at the site, for more reliable heat stress index readings.

The heat stress index could also be extended to more locations, such as Tai Po and Sha Tin, to offer engineering firms a stronger basis to figure out work schedules.

Dr Wong Hong-yau, Happy Valley

Megalodon’s extinction a reminder to protect ocean giants

Earlier this month, around the time that a film about humans fighting prehistoric sea creatures was released, I read a BBC report on the megalodon.

While the largest predatory shark today, the great white, reaches 4.9m, studies estimate that the megalodon was about 15-18m long. “Megalodon” means “big tooth” in Ancient Greek; some had teeth as long as 16.8cm.

After inhabiting the oceans for 20 million years, the megalodons died out 3.5 million years ago, as the sea level dropped and prey numbers fell.

This reminded me of the death of the Bryde’s whale in the waters of Sai Kung last month. Apart from two old wounds to its back, there was an obvious new wound to the whale’s dorsal fin, which could have been caused by a propeller. It is sad that people endangered the whale by paying boat owners to steer them near it to take photos.

We should give officials greater powers to protect wild animals. Restricted areas should be set up around whales to ban vessels from approaching.

Tiger Wong, Tseung Kwan O

Post