Letters | How Shanghai, Shenzhen and Singapore could inspire Hong Kong on climate change

Readers discuss climate adaptation strategies Hong Kong could adopt, and options for elderly taxi drivers

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A worker walks past a rooftop solar farm at electric vehicle maker BYD’s headquarters in Shenzhen, China, in September 2017. Photographer: Bloomberg

Published: 11:30am, 25 Sep 2024

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As Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu prepares to deliver his policy address, we are presented with an opportunity to re-evaluate and strengthen the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050. This framework requires a thorough review to set more ambitious targets that align with the third round of nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement, due in 2025, and China’s forthcoming 15th five-year plan.

This revision is not only crucial for compliance with international standards but also to ensure Hong Kong achieves its net-zero goals amid an increasingly volatile global environment. Last year was the hottest year on record, and each month of 2024 has set new temperature records. Current Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projections suggest we could reach a 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature increase from pre-industrial levels between 2030 and 2035, potentially leading to more frequent extreme weather events.

This alarming trend demands that Hong Kong either maintain its current policies or, preferably, adopt ambitious and innovative strategies from regional leaders such as Shanghai, Shenzhen and Singapore.

Shanghai’s Climate Change Response Action Plan (2024-2035) is a model of effective climate adaptation, with robust public health measures designed to protect vulnerable communities and mitigate climate-induced health risks. The plan focuses on offering vulnerable populations targeted services and implementing preventive measures against those risks, enhancing overall community resilience.

Shenzhen’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2023-2035) integrates public health into urban development, featuring innovative ventilation systems and advanced early warning systems to enhance citizen preparedness. Additionally, Shenzhen’s “Carbon Peaking Pilot Programme” is pioneering efforts to boost renewable energy, with ambitious targets for solar photovoltaic installations and virtual power plants. The plan’s emphasis on vehicle-to-grid technology provides a model for Hong Kong on how to mitigate grid stress and promote the use of electric vehicles.

Singapore’s revision of its Building Control Act, enforcing stringent energy audits and significant reductions in energy consumption, sets a progressive example that Hong Kong could emulate. This legislation not only mandates energy efficiency but also incentivises retrofitting older buildings, a key strategy given our city’s high density and significant building energy consumption rates.