It is a clear October afternoon, and the view over Victoria Harbour from the Government offices in Tamar is spectacular.
“Twenty years ago, you couldn’t see Tsim Sha Tsui for the smog,” said Tse Chin-wan, HKSAR Secretary for Environment and Ecology, pointing to the sparkling waters and azure skies.
Back in 1979, Hong Kong’s annual cross-harbour swimming race, first held in 1906, was cancelled due to high water pollution levels. The competition only resumed in 2011, marking a significant milestone in the city’s environmental recovery. In December 2004, the city’s famous skyline, rendered sooty grey by thick smog, made the cover of Time magazine as part of a report highlighting the air pollution crisis afflicting major Asian cities.
Since then, Hong Kong’s narrative has been one of renewal and hope. The change is not merely anecdotal; satellite images reveal a dramatic improvement in air quality since 2006. Today, the city is a sanctuary for 580 bird species. Its waters are home to over 80 species of hard coral – a higher diversity than that found in the Caribbean Sea. And for those who think of the city as a concrete jungle, here’s a fact: about 40% of its total land area is protected under 25 country parks.
“No matter where you are in Hong Kong, nature is not far away,” said Tse.
The Path to Net Zero
As climate change becomes an urgent issue worldwide, Hong Kong is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. In June 2021, the Government announced the Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035; by October of that year, the Climate Action Plan 2050 was launched, outlining four major decarbonization strategies: net-zero electricity generation, energy-saving and green buildings, green transport, and waste reduction.
The authorities also set an interim target to reduce carbon emissions by 50% before 2035 compared to 2005 levels, and have long collaborated with the Guangdong Provincial Government to implement various measures and jointly set five-year emission reduction targets.
“Hong Kong is embracing the global green transition by prioritizing sustainable initiatives and innovations that align with international climate goals,” said Tse. “The construction of coal-fired power plants was halted in 1997, and emissions have decreased by a quarter since peaking in 2014. The focus is trained on increasing the share of renewable energy in the electricity generation mix to 7.5% to 10% by 2035, with a goal of reaching 15% subsequently through local projects, regional cooperation and joint ventures.”
The Role of Innovation & Technology
Innovation and technology are pivotal in advancing Hong Kong’s sustainability journey. Initiatives by the Environmental and Ecology Bureau (EEB) include promoting retro-commissioning to identify energy-saving potential in buildings, while in green construction, deep cement mixing technology is deployed for reclamation and ecological coastlines that mimic the natural intertidal zone.
In June this year, the authorities released a strategic report on developing hydrogen infrastructure and certification standards aligned with global practices. While green hydrogen is expensive to produce, it can potentially become a vital component of the city’s energy system in the future, said Tse.
He also highlighted the significant surge in electric vehicle (EV) registration, reflecting the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly alternatives. Over the past five years, EV registrations have skyrocketed, accounting for approximately 70% of newly registered cars in the city, underscoring the Government's commitment to promoting green mobility with enhanced charging infrastructure and attractive incentives for EV buyers.
As a leader in green finance, Hong Kong is fostering a robust green finance ecosystem, encouraging investments in sustainable projects through innovative financial instruments like green bonds and ESG reporting frameworks. Tse pointed out that the city is attracting substantial investment in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and green technologies, driven by collaborative efforts among the Government, financial institutions and businesses to foster innovation.
A Sustainable, Liveable City
The regulation on disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products came into effect in April this year, as the Government works with the catering, retail and hotel sectors to cut plastic waste.
With the six-month grace period for single-use plastics ending on October 21, the implementation of the new regulation has encouraged habitual changes among both the public and the trades, fostering a new culture of “plastic-free, disposable-free, and green-recycling” at the community level and paving the way towards a new milestone in plastic-free living. Tse expressed gratitude for the support and active participation of the trades and members of the public in taking action to reduce disposable plastics.
While the scheme to charge for waste disposal has been postponed, proactive recycling initiatives, including a food waste recycling scheme, have been launched across public housing estates.
In 2021, the recycling rate was 28%; by early 2024, it had risen to 32%. With 500 public collection points under the community recycling network and plans for more mobile recycling points, the city is expanding its collection network to 800 collection points in the first quarter of 2025.
“We’re witnessing a shift in community attitudes towards waste management,” said Tse.
The authorities have also established dedicated committees and councils focused on climate change awareness, adaptation strategies and preparing the city for extreme weather events.
“Even if we achieve carbon neutrality, scientists have warned that climate patterns will continue to shift,” he explained, highlighting Hong Kong’s efficiency in resilience planning, from flood control measures to early warning systems for natural disasters.
From smog to blue skies, Hong Kong is paving the way for a greener future. “Building on decades of efforts to control pollution and prevent environmental damage, we are committed to becoming a carbon-neutral metropolis for the generations to come,” stated Tse.