Speech by SEE at opening plenary of APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting (English only)

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at the opening plenary of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting in Seattle, the United States (US), today (August 15, US time):
 
     Thank you, Chair and fellow colleagues. Hong Kong, China is committed to contributing to the development of a resilient and sustainable APEC community by actively participating in the APEC Energy Working Group and sponsoring projects of other APEC economies. Hong Kong, China is the Deputy Lead Shepherd of the Energy Working Group, which, amongst other things, explores new APEC energy-related goals in addressing the climate challenges. Hong Kong, China was also the Chair of the APEC Expert Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation in 2019-2023 and is the Vice-chair of the Expert Group in 2023-2025. We will continue to play an active role in the APEC community, with a view to contributing to achieve APEC's Energy Intensity Reduction Goal.
 
     APEC economies consume approximately 60 per cent of the world's energy. APEC's Energy Intensity Reduction Goal is to reduce APEC's aggregate energy intensity by 45 per cent by 2035, against the 2005 level. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the community, so far, the energy intensity in Hong Kong, China has decreased by over 30 per cent.
 
     Hong Kong, China has also pledged to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. Our Climate Action Plan has four major decarbonisation strategies, namely (a) net-zero electricity generation; (b) energy saving and green buildings; (c) green transport; and (d) waste reduction.
 
     To strengthen the co-ordination and promote deep decarbonisation, we have set up a new Office of Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality since January this year to formulate strategies, policies and action plans for tackling climate change and achieving carbon neutrality. We have also earmarked HK$240 billion (equivalent to about US$30 billion) to fight against climate change in the next 15 to 20 years.
 
     Achieving carbon neutrality in less than 27 years is an extremely challenging ambition. The importance of regional and global collaboration cannot be overstated in our carbon neutrality journey. Hong Kong, China will continue to sharpen our own policies, step up actions in combatting climate change, and welcome collaboration with APEC economies to shape a greener tomorrow.
 
     Thank you, Chair.