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Kitty Tam
Kitty Tam
Kitty Tam Tsz-ching is programme lead at Civic Exchange think tank. Previously, she was assistant manager, conservation policy, at WWF-Hong Kong. She majored in geography, business management and environmental governance.

Incorporating nature-based solutions can help resolve the tensions between conserving Hong Kong’s environment and promoting development. Otherwise, the city risks falling behind its peers, missing out on high-quality development and being left out of national and global initiatives.

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Hong Kong’s climate adaptation plans must take into account the rise of extreme weather events, pay attention to topographically vulnerable areas and the impact of urbanisation, and make natural habitats a part of its solutions.

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For a start, the government should codify the Climate Action Plan in law and expand the electric vehicles road map beyond private cars and public transport to include all vehicles. Amid global heatwaves, officials must take urgent action.

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Hong Kong’s upcoming review of the scheme of control agreements with the city’s two power companies presents an excellent opportunity to take drastic action towards a more sustainable future.

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The government shouldn’t be among those dragging their heels on climate action – not when it has promised to make the city carbon neutral by 2050. In addition to investment in green initiatives, Hong Kong needs transparency on how money spent directly translates to lower emissions and less waste.

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While the UN climate change conference fell short of the needed commitments, it still showed a way forward for Hong Kong’s climate action plan. The window to keep the 1.5-degree goal alive is closing fast, but it is still achievable if we act with urgency and commitment.

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Climate change, biodiversity loss and economic development can no longer be treated as separate issues. With COP15 and COP26, the government has a momentous opportunity to help secure an ambitious global biodiversity agreement.

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