Carbon Neutrality

Decarbonisation
Strategies

Overall Strategies

Total carbon emissions (kilotonnes)
Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality

The Hong Kong economy is predominately supported by the tertiary industry without major energy-intensive industries. In 2019, electricity generation was the largest source of carbon emissions (66%), followed by transport (18%) and waste (7%). These three major emission sources together accounted for over 90% of the total emissions, and are therefore the three most critical areas of our decarbonisation work.

Currently, the local fuel mix for electricity generation mainly relies on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. We can remove most of the carbon emissions if we increase the use of zero-carbon energy for electricity generation and gradually phase out fossil fuel vehicles by electrifying the transport sector. For carbon emissions from waste, they are mainly GHGs generated by the decomposition of municipal waste in landfills. As such, we will have to break away entirely from landfilling for municipal waste disposal in order to reduce carbon emissions and avoid utilising our precious land for developing new landfills. As for the remaining carbon emission sources, such as non-road vehicles and refrigerants, we have to identify suitable zero-carbon energy or alternative technologies.

Increasing the use of zero-carbon energy requires the support of technologies as well as finance and land resources. On the other hand, reducing the energy demand can lower the total cost of switching to zero-carbon energy and lessen the financial burden on the public. At present, buildings account for about 90% of the electricity consumption in Hong Kong. As such, improving energy efficiency of buildings to reduce the energy demand will be our top priority in future energy saving efforts.

Based on the above analysis, the strategies for Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 should comprise: “net-zero electricity generation”, “energy saving and green buildings”, “green transport” and “waste reduction”.

Net-zero carbon emissions in electricity generation before 2050

Phasing out coal for electricity generation • Developing RE

Coal, accounting for around a quarter in the current fuel mix for electricity generation, emits the highest level of carbon emissions. Hong Kong has ceased to build coal-fired generation units since 1997 and has been gradually phasing out the existing units. By 2035, we will cease using coal for daily electricity generation and will only keep it for providing backup support. Coal will be replaced by natural gas with lower carbon emissions and zero-carbon energy (e.g. RE and nuclear energy) by then.

To expedite transformation to low-carbon energy, we are committed to increasing the share of RE in the fuel mix for electricity generation from less than 1% at present to 7.5% to 10% by 2035 (Wind 3.5-4%, Waste-toenergy 3-4%, Solar 1-2%).

On RE development, we can increase RE supply through government-developed facilities, investment by power companies and encouraging public participation. Our goal is to increase the share of RE in the fuel mix for electricity generation to 15% before 2050.

Reduce the electricity consumption of commercial buildings by 30% to 40%, and that of residential buildings by 20% to 30% by 2050

Being an international financial and commercial centre, the majority of Hong Kong citizens’ daily activities take place in skyscrapers. The resulting use of air-conditioners, lifts, lighting and various electrical appliances consumes a large amount of energy. Buildings account for about 90% of Hong Kong’s total electricity consumption, and over 60% of our carbon emissions is attributable to generating electricity for our buildings. Achieving net-zero electricity generation requires enormous amount of capital and resources, and will increase the cost of electricity generation. Various sectors of the community and members of the public will inevitably have to share the cost. Through regulation as well as promotion and public education in energy saving, we can reduce the overall electricity consumption of buildings, and hence lower the cost of adopting new zero-carbon energy. This is conducive to maintaining Hong Kong’s overall competitiveness in the global arena, in turn benefitting enterprises and citizens. The benefits will be even more significant if the amount of energy conserved exceeds the increase in the cost of achieving net-zero electricity generation.

To promote continuous decarbonisation in buildings, we have also set a medium-term target of reducing the electricity consumption of new and existing commercial buildings by 15% to 20%, and that of residential buildings by 10% to 15% by 2035, using the operational conditions of 2015 as the comparison basis. More green innovations and energy efficient elements will also be added to the design of new government buildings to achieve an energy efficiency performance of 10% better than statutory level, with a view to leading the trades to further optimise the energy efficiency performance of new buildings.

In order to achieve carbon neutrality, we need to step up efforts in promoting energy conservation in buildings, and set a more proactive and targeted energy saving goal. In this connection, we will strive to gradually reduce the electricity consumption of new and existing commercial buildings by 30% to 40%, and that of residential buildings by 20% to 30% by 2050, using the operational conditions of 2015 as the comparison basis.

Carbon neutrality in waste management before 2050

Waste contributes to about 7% of carbon emissions in Hong Kong, with the bulk of them being the GHG generated from decomposition of waste in landfills. The Government promulgated the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035 (the Waste Blueprint), advocating the vision of “Waste Reduction•Resources Circulation•Zero Landfill”. The Waste Blueprint sets out targets for per capita MSW disposal and recovery rate, and the goal of developing adequate waste-to-energy facilities, with the aim to move away from the reliance on landfills for municipal waste disposal by 2035. Waste reduction and resources circulation will also help foster a low-carbon and sustainable lifestyle.

Through implementing MSW charging and other waste reduction and recycling initiatives, and encouraging the whole community to work together, we aim to progressively reduce the per capita MSW disposal by 40% to 45% and raise the recovery rate to about 55%. By 2050, most of the landfilled waste will have been decomposed, which will significantly reduce GHG emissions, thus helping us achieve the target of carbon neutrality before 2050.

Zero carbon emissions from vehicles and transport sector before 2050

As shown from the development plans of car We expect to achieve the long-term target of manufacturers around the world, adoption of zero carbon emissions from vehicles and the electric transport is undoubtedly the trend. In transport sector before 2050 through the addition, many manufacturers are actively electrification of vehicles and ferries, development developing other forms of new energy of new energy transport and implementation of transport (e.g. hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles). measures to improve traffic management.

The measures outlined in the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles announced by the Government cover various aspects, including ceasing the new registration of fuel-propelled and hybrid private cars in 2035 or earlier, as well as setting strategies and targets for providing charging facilities. The Government will play an active role in developing new energy transport, and will partner with different sectors in the coming years to actively test the technological and commercial viability of various electric and new energy public transport and commercial vehicles.