The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, in her Policy Address today (November 25), set out the Government's strategies and proposals to achieve carbon neutrality, promote green transport and energy efficiency and to enhance the quality of life in districts across Hong Kong.
"I now announce that the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) will strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050," Mrs Lam said.
"To this end, the Government will update the 'Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan' in the middle of next year to set out more proactive strategies and measures to reduce carbon emissions."
The Chief Executive said the Government will explore strategies such as different types of zero-carbon energy and decarbonisation technology, enhancing the energy efficiency of both new and existing buildings, promoting zero-carbon vehicles and green transportation, and building large-scale waste-to-energy facilities.
"In the coming year, the ENB (Environment Bureau) plans to launch a long-term strategy blueprint on waste management and Hong Kong's first roadmap on the popularisation of electric vehicles, etc. with the target of ceasing the sale of conventional fuel-propelled private cars, as well as updating 'A Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong'," Mrs Lam said.
The Chief Executive announced far-reaching plans to enhance the living environment in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island.
"In light of our past experience, we propose to implement the Invigorating Island South initiative to develop the Southern District into a place full of vibrancy, vigour and velocity for people to work, live, explore new ideas and have fun," Mrs Lam said.
The Invigorating Island South initiative includes the following key projects:
- formulating a proposal for the rebirth of Ocean Park;
- revitalising the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, which is a historic landmark in Hong Kong;
- enhancing the cultural and leisure facilities in the vicinity of Aberdeen and Wong Chuk Hang, to enable the public and visitors to immerse in the ambience, history and culture of a fishing village and enjoy eco-tourism in the area;
- exploring new marine tourism routes by taking advantage of the district's seaside location with Ocean Park as the core to link up with other districts and islands;
- exploring the development of a water sports centre at the rehabilitated Shek O Quarry site under public-private partnership;
- expediting the redevelopment or conversion of old industrial buildings in Wong Chuk Hang through the Government’s policy of revitalising industrial buildings, so as to provide more operating space for emerging industries and the arts and culture sector ;
- exploring room for redevelopment or consolidation of the existing "Government, Institution or Community" sites or facilities in the district so as to promote "single site, multiple use"; and
- taking the opportunities brought by the large-scale topside development project at the Wong Chuk Hang Station, which will commence population intake two years later, to beautify public space and cityscape through "place making".
Mrs Lam highlighted the ongoing initiatives to enhance public accessibility to Victoria Harbour and develop a world-class harbourfront experience.
"Upon the completion of 13 large-scale projects supported by a dedicated funding of $6.5 billion, the harbourfront promenade will be extended from the current 23 kilometres to 34 kilometres in 2028, and both sides of the harbourfront will also be provided with an additional 35 hectares of quality public space with district characteristics," Mrs Lam said.
To enhance transport and traffic flow in the city, the Government will carry out a comprehensive traffic and transport strategy study, including facilitating the flow of people and goods in the Greater Bay area.
"Concurrently, we will conduct the Strategic Studies on Railway and Major Roads beyond 2030 to explore the layout of railway and major road infrastructure, and conduct preliminary engineering and technical assessments for their alignments and supporting facilities, so as to ensure that the planning of large-scale transport infrastructure will complement or even reserve capacity to meet the overall long-term land development needs of Hong Kong," Mrs Lam said.
The Chief Executive also revealed that a detailed feasibility study on the Environmentally Friendly Linkage System (EFLS) for Kowloon East has been largely completed. It includes proposals to introduce new bus and green minibus routes in the area; develop travellators network linking up the former airport runway of Kai Tak, the Kowloon Bay Action Area and the MTR Ngau Tau Kok Station; providing a GreenWay network running through promenades and open spaces in the Kai Tak Development Area for shared use by pedestrians and cyclists; constructing an elevated landscape deck to connect the MTR Kwun Tong Station; and establishing a water-taxi stand in the Kai Tak Development Area.
To encourage people to walk more, Mrs Lam said the Government is actively promoting "walkability" in Kowloon East to improve pedestrian facilities in the Kowloon Bay and Kwun Tong business areas , as well as promoting greening and beautification of the streetscape. The existing pedestrian linkage systems in various districts such as Admiralty and Wan Chai North will continued to be improved.
"In addition, cycle track design will be incorporated into 13 major harbourfront development projects," Mrs Lam said.
With the opening in phases of world-class arts and cultural infrastructure at the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Chief Executive said two museums – the M+ museum of modern and contemporary visual arts and the Hong Kong Palace Museum showcasing invaluable Chinese artefacts – are scheduled for completion and commissioning in the next two years.
"Together with the Hong Kong Museum of Arts which was reopened last year after expansion, the three museums will turn a new page in Hong Kong’s visual arts landscape," Mrs Lam said.
"Featured by distinctive collection and curatorial style, they will definitely offer a fruitful cultural journey to locals and visitors."
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