Tse confident of hitting all 'crucial' green targets

Hong Kong’s Environment Secretary, Tse Chin-wan, expressed confidence on Saturday in his ability to achieve all four key targets outlined in the Hong Kong SAR’s five-year plan. These targets encompass reducing carbon intensity, boosting zero-carbon energy sources for power generation, enhancing air and surface water quality, and achieving a zero-waste society by 2035.

During an interview on Commercial Radio, Tse emphasized that environmental targets constitute a significant portion of the plan's binding goals, as they are vital for Hong Kong’s sustainable future. Concrete measures are already underway to facilitate the transition towards a greener economy. To reach the goal of increasing zero-carbon energy's share from 25% to 30% by 2030, and subsequently raising it to 60-70% by 2035, Tse suggested that prioritizing wind and solar energy would not only mitigate potential energy shortages but also bolster supply reliability.

One proposed initiative involves constructing a large-scale facility at Tseung Kwan O, facilitating the large-scale transmission of zero-carbon energy from mainland China. Tse mentioned that discussions have begun with certain enterprises to explore the feasibility of supplying affordable zero-carbon energy. Additionally, a working group has been established to pursue this objective, with Tse expressing confidence that the share of zero-carbon energy could rise to the desired 60-70% by 2035.

In line with another target, Hong Kong aims to eliminate landfill by 2035. Tse pointed out that the recent debate sparked by the scrapped waste-charging scheme in 2024 heightened public awareness of waste reduction's urgency. Various strategies are being employed to attain this goal, such as bolstering recycling efforts. Tse highlighted the Green@Community mobile app, which boasts over 1.2 million users, and its potential for further enhancement.

The app offers incentives and discounts, attracting both reward-driven and environmentally conscious participants. Tse expressed optimism that improving the app's accessibility, such as by deploying 24-hour smart recycling bins and machines, would encourage even greater participation.