Submissions and Reports

The Chamber supports the use of legislation to eliminate disposable plastic tableware from the waste stream, but suggests that consideration should also be given to viable substitutes as an interim means of transitioning away from plastics. Over the long term, there is the need for a holistic approach to eliminating the use of single-use items.

The Chamber welcomes and supports a Member’s Bill as proposed by Ms Elizabeth Quat to incorporate wildlife trafficking and illegal trade crimes into the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance. We believe that by vesting the authorities with greater investigative and punitive powers, this would have the desired effect of reducing wildlife crimes committed in Hong Kong.

The Chamber supports the introduction of a Producer Responsibility Scheme on Plastic Beverage Containers to reduce waste and create a circular economy in Hong Kong. The Chamber agrees with the general aspects of the scheme but suggests certain areas be adjusted to promote broader buy-in and participation.

The Chamber is pleased to note that a Legislative Council’s Bills Committee was formed on 16 October 2020 to again study a bill to implement a charging scheme for the purpose of reducing MSW following a previous attempt to do so during the previous legislative term. The Chamber believes that such a charging scheme would lay a useful foundation for Hong Kong to manage waste in a more responsible and effective manner.

The Chamber welcomes and appreciates opportunity to comment on measures to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in Hong Kong. We believe Hong Kong should look to EVs as a viable means to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and play to our advantages with respect to the city’s size, compactness and developed infrastructure in popularising the use of EVs.

The Chamber welcomes and supports efforts by the Government to progressively tighten the Air Quality Objectives. We believe air pollution remains very much a public health challenge that needs to be addressed through more ambitious targets and closer collaboration among businesses, civil society and policy makers.

The Chamber welcomes and supports efforts by the Council for Sustainable Development to engage the public on developing a long-term decarbonisation strategy for Hong Kong. We believe the exercise of reducing our carbon footprint will require extensive and concerted efforts across all segments of the community.

The Chamber welcomes the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited‘s efforts to improve the quality of ESG reporting through this consultation exercise. We believe that such enhancements should be supplemented by further investments in education and training to promote better understanding of the intentions behind and benefits of ESG reporting .

The Chamber welcomes and supports the Government’s introduction of a bill on 14 November 2018 to implement a charging scheme for the purpose of reducing municipal solid waste. As an advocate of the polluter-pays principle, we believe that such a charging scheme would contribute to the reduction of waste at source and in promoting a greener lifestyle.

The Chamber supports the establishment of a Green Finance Certification Scheme although it believes enhancements should be made to the existing framework.