Hong Kong, 26 November 2020 --- BEC welcomes the HKSAR Government’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This is a landmark announcement echoing President Xi Jinping’s recent pledge for China to become carbon neutral before 2060 during the United Nations General Assembly, and a swift response to the recommendations made in a Council for Sustainable Development report on the Public Engagement on Long-term Decarbonisation Strategy submitted to the Government less than 2 weeks ago.
BEC has long been advocating the need for the Government to demonstrate climate leadership and commitment, and to set a science-based, absolute carbon reduction target for Hong Kong with a clear roadmap and critical milestones.[1] In recent years, BEC members and the wider business community have demonstrated determination and resolve to tackle climate change and to enhance their long-term business sustainability and resilience in the wake of the climate emergency. One prime example is the BEC Low Carbon Charter which to date includes 73 signatory companies agreeing to set and achieve long-term carbon reduction targets. Given that climate change is one of BEC’s Environmental Focus Areas, we will continue to leverage on our unique position amongst companies of all sizes to enable, drive and accelerate business climate action.
Responding to the Chief Executive’s invitation in her Policy Address to all sectors to working together to promote low-carbon transformation, BEC Chairman Mr Richard Lancaster remarks, “Businesses appreciate clear policies to facilitate better planning. With a clear target now being set by the Government, we look forward to the next step of updating the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan next year. BEC stands ready to support the Government and encourage and mobilise our members and business partners to embark on their decarbonisation journeys.”
As details of the Action Plan unfold next year, BEC will engage members on the proposed government strategies and provide constructive feedback to the Administration to shape Hong Kong’s transition to a carbon neutral economy which is competitive and resilient.
[1] See BEC’s Submission on Long-term Decarbonisation Strategy (https://www.bec.org.hk/sites/default/files/policy_submissions/BEC_Submission_on_Long-term_Decarbonisation_Strategy_20190918.pdf) and BEC’s Submission on the Chief Executive’s 2020 Policy Address (https://www.bec.org.hk/sites/default/files/policy_submissions/BEC_Submission_on_2020_Policy_Address.pdf)
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