The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (September 6) joined the International Forum on Energy Transition co-hosted by the National Energy Administration, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government.
The theme for this year is "Jointly promote energy transition for a shared green future". Mr Tse shared Hong Kong's strategies and efforts in reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector and strengthening regional collaboration. He said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government attaches great importance to combating climate change. The Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050 sets out the "net-zero electricity generation" decarbonisation strategy with specific targets and roadmap leading Hong Kong towards the goal of carbon neutrality. "The HKSAR Government is committed to strengthening regional co-operation to increase the use of clean energy, stabilise electricity tariffs and ensure energy security. We have set the target to cease using coal for daily electricity generation by 2035. We are also striving to increase the use of zero-carbon energy and its share in fuel mix for electricity generation to around 60 per cent to 70 per cent before 2035," Mr Tse said.
Mr Tse also said that Hong Kong, as an international city with close co-operation with cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, is an ideal gateway for foreign enterprises to enter the Mainland market. The HKSAR Government will implement various measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, while the Government and the private sector will also devote substantial resources to supporting carbon reduction projects to create green opportunities on various fronts.
During the forum, Mr Tse also visited the Exhibition on the 10th Anniversary of China's Energy Revolution. In June 2014, President Xi Jinping put forward the energy security strategy of "Four Reforms and One Cooperation". The exhibition showcased the country's efforts in building a diversified clean energy supply and achievements in promoting low-carbon energy transformation. It also featured the country's contribution to addressing the challenges of global climate change and achieving carbon neutrality by establishing closer global energy partnerships and promoting the development of energy infrastructure in many countries.
Mr Tse also met with the Chairman of the World Economic Forum's Beijing Representative Office, Mr Liming Chen, and exchanged views on topics such as low carbon development, climate change and conservation work.
Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (September 7).
Ends/Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:25
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