Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and it affects each and every one of us. Here you can learn about what climate change is, the ways in which it is occurring in Hong Kong, what the Government is doing to combat the problem, and how you can help too.

Climate change refers to the change in climate as a result of human activities that cause a change in the atmosphere's composition, in addition to natural climate variability. Human activities cause an increase in greenhouse gases, mainly through burning of fossil fuels. The greenhouse gases act as a blanket in the atmosphere, keeping the sun's energy from radiating back to space, and resulting in a rise in temperature globally – a phenomenon commonly called global warming. This general rise in temperature in turn leads to a proliferation of other problems, such as more frequent heat waves, rise of sea level, reduction in agricultural production, scarcity of water resource, spread of disease, ecological and environmental imbalance, etc.

Similar to the global trend, Hong Kong has been warming up in the last century or so. The number of hot nights is increasing while the number of cold days is decreasing. The rate of warming is larger in the urban areas than the rural areas, reflecting the effect of urbanisation. In urban areas, there are more anthropogenic release of heat from air-conditioning and transportation, and the dense high-rise buildings absorb more energy from the sun. The situation is sometimes exacerbated by a general decrease in wind speed in the urban areas.

Besides temperature, Hong Kong experiences more frequent heavy rain. Cloud amount increases while the amount of solar radiation decreases. The sea level is also rising in Victoria Harbour. Information about climate change and how it is occurring in Hong Kong is available through the following links.

• More on climate change
  http://www.hko.gov.hk/climate_change/climate_change_e.htm
• More on how Hong Kong is affected
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/climate_change/local_effects.html

As Hong Kong is a financial centre and service-based city, we do not have energy-intensive industries. Two major contributors of greenhouse gases in Hong Kong are power generation and the transport sector. In addressing climate change, the Government has undertaken many initiatives.

Reducing Our "Carbon Footprint"

The most direct and effective method of reducing our "carbon footprint", or the extent to which our activities produce greenhouse gases, is to enhance the overall energy efficiency of our society. With this in mind, Hong Kong has been moving towards a low carbon economy, an economy based on low energy consumption and low pollution. It has set a target of achieving a reduction in energy intensity of at least 25% by 2030 (with 2005 as the base year).

Using Cleaner Fuel and Renewable Energy

To reduce the production of greenhouse gases from power generation, the Government has been promoting the use of cleaner fuel and renewable energy for over a decade. The construction of new coal-fired generating units has been banned since 1997 in favour of natural gas, which emits around 50% less greenhouse gas for the same amount of electricity produced. The Government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Energy Administration in August 2008 to ensure a long-term and stable supply of nuclear electricity and natural gas. For renewable energy, the Government has also set a target of having 1-2% of Hong Kong's total electricity supply met by it by 2012.

Promoting Energy Efficiency and Carbon Audits in Buildings

Buildings account for 89% of the total electricity consumption in Hong Kong.  To further enhance building energy efficiency, the Government introduced the Buildings Energy Efficiency Bill into the Legislative Council in December 2009 to mandate compliance with the Building Energy Codes.  Apart from mandatory measure, the Government is implementing the Buildings Energy Efficiency Funding Schemes to subsidise building owners to conduct energy-cum-carbon and energy efficiency projects at their buildings.

In July 2008, the Government launched a "Green Hong Kong • Carbon Audit" Campaign.  More than 140 organisations have become the "Carbon Audit • Green Partners" by agreeing to a Carbon Reduction Charter to carry out or to promote carbon auditing practices and to implement measures to reduce their carbon emissions, in particular for buildings.  Users and managers of buildings can now use the Government's first carbon audit guidelines to assess the carbon emissions from their buildings, to explore room for improvement and to develop emission reduction measures so that their buildings can leave a smaller carbon footprint with less operating expenses through improving energy efficiency and waste reduction.

Promotion of Energy Efficiency and Conservation

The Government had implemented the initial phase of Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme in 2008 through the legislation of Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance.  The initial phase of the scheme required room air-conditioners, refrigerating appliances and compact fluorescent lamps to carry energy labels before they were supplied to the local market.

To further facilitate consumers in choosing energy-efficient products, the Government has completed the legislative amendment process.  The second phase of the scheme will be introduced in mid March 2010, covering washing machines and dehumidifiers.

Other than the energy efficiency control in products, there is a movement towards regional development.  The Government plans to implement a district cooling system (DCS) at the Kai Tak Development to supply chilled water to buildings for energy-efficient air-conditioning purpose.  The implementation of DCS will achieve an annual saving in electricity consumption by 85 million kWh.

Scheme of Control Agreements with Power Companies

In January 2008, the Government signed new Scheme of Control Agreements with the two power companies that included provisions to encourage the use of renewable energy sources. Under the new Scheme, the companies will enjoy a higher rate of return on investment in renewable energy facilities, and will be offered bonuses in the level of permitted return depending on the extent to which they use renewable energy and the environmental performance of their electricity generation.

Using Energy-efficient Transport and Cleaner Vehicles

In terms of transportation, the Government is aware that the use of our extensive and energy-efficient public transport system and the use of cleaner vehicles can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  It is committed to further expanding and upgrading our public transport infrastructure with an emphasis on railways, and encouraging the use of cleaner vehicles.  Tax incentive schemes for environment-friendly petrol private cars and commercial vehicles were launched in 2007 and 2008, respectively.  Hong Kong is committed to promoting the wider adoption of electric vehicles.

Interdepartmental Working Group on Climate Change

The impacts of climate change and the efforts to combat climate change touch on every part of our lives. The issue of climate change can only be sufficiently addressed with wide participation from the government, different sectors of the community and individuals. Therefore, it is essential that concerned government departments are making efforts in concert. An Interdepartmental Working Group on Climate Change, comprising 5 bureaux and 16 departments, has been established to coordinate, develop and promote the Government's work in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. Further information on the Government's action on combating climate change is available through the following link.

• More on how the Government is combating climate change
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/climate_change/hkactions.html

Greenhouse gas emissions make no distinction between local, national or regional boundaries, and the fight against climate change requires concerted global action. Hong Kong has always taken its international responsibilities very seriously. In November 2008, Hong Kong joined other Member Economies of APEC to reconfirm our commitment to achieving the targets set in 2007 Sydney Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development.

Hong Kong is also playing an active role in the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. This coalition of cities on the five continents has pledged to reduce carbon emissions and works hand-in-hand with the Clinton Climate Initiative to achieve these goals. More information on the Government's involvement in international initiatives is available through the following link.

• More on Hong Kong’s cooperation with the international community
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/climate_change/coop_int.html

We believe that we do not have to think big to make a big impact. In Hong Kong, much can be done in our civic infrastructure and the way we live our lives to help combat climate change.

Here are some simple acts everyone can do to make a difference:

• switching to fluorescent light bulbs;
• turning off electrical appliances when they are not in use;
• setting temperature of air-conditioner at 25.5°C during summer months;
• using more public transport;
• recycling use of waste material as far as possible.

The following links will take you to tips on what you can do to combat climate change and reduce your own "carbon footprint" at home, in the office and when you are travelling.

• Tips on saving energy
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/public/green/saveenergy.htm
• Tips on green office management
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/public/green/greenoffice.htm
• Tips on greener transportation
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/public/green/greentransport.htm
• The One Tonne Challenge
  http://www.climatechange.hk/eng/index.aspx
• Calculate your carbon footprint
  http://www.climateers.org/eng/contents/climateer_calculator.php