The C40 Climate Action Seminar (Asian and Oceania Regions) was held today (October 27) at the AsiaWorld-Expo. Organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB), it brought together representatives from 15 C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) cities in Asian and Oceania Regions to share the cities' climate action, including the promotion of green transport and infrastructure, and the development of green economy and finance. Including representatives from local organisations, the seminar was well attended by over 140 participants.
Speaking at the seminar, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said, "While the three years of the pandemic have made in-person exchange with our fellow C40 cities representatives much more challenging, such difficult times have not impeded our quest for carbon neutrality. During the pandemic in 2021, we promulgated Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050 that would lead Hong Kong towards the goal of carbon neutrality before 2050."
Hong Kong's climate strategies embrace all the key components of climate action planning advocated by the C40, namely emissions neutrality, resilience to climate hazards, inclusivity and benefits, as well as governance and collaboration. Noting the urgent need to achieve emissions neutrality and having regard to the decarbonisation potential of hydrogen fuel, Mr Tse said, "As announced in 'The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address', we will publish the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong in the first half of 2024 to support the exploration of hydrogen application in different fields, including electricity generation and storage, construction equipment and machineries, as well as transport, which offers an exciting opportunity to demonstrate the role of hydrogen in driving a low-carbon transition."
Other speakers at the seminar included the Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai, Mr Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti; the Lead Climate Mitigation Advisor of Auckland Council, Mr Adrien Bouzonville; Consultant for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Mr Hridbijoy Chakraborty; Deputy Director of the Development and Reform Commission of Shenzhen Municipality Mr Li Baozhao; Deputy Director of the Beijing Climate Change Management Center Ms Yu Fengju; the President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Dr Barry Lee; and the Head (Market Development) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Ms Georgina Lok.
Established in 2005, C40 is a global network of mayors committed to connecting cities around the world to take urgent action to confront the climate crisis. Hong Kong became a member city in 2007. Currently, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology is a member of the C40 Steering Committee representing the Central East Asia Region, which includes 13 Chinese cities.
The seminar is a concurrent event of the Eco Expo Asia 2023, which is held from October 26 to 29. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, and co-organised by the EEB, the Eco Expo Asia is an annual exhibition and conference that showcases global green solutions, technologies, services, and products while promoting international collaborations on environmental protection.
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