​Following is the English translation of the opening remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, at the special meeting of the Legislative Council Finance Committee this afternoon (April 11):

      

Chairman,

      

     The Financial Secretary continues to support Hong Kong’s work on various fronts to combat climate change and protect the environment in the Budget this year.

      

     The Environment Bureau announced last October Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, setting out four major decarbonisation strategies, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport, and waste reduction, to lead Hong Kong to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050.

      

     This year’s Budget has proposed an allocation of over $10 billion to projects for combating climate change. Technological development plays a pivotal role in achieving carbon neutrality. The Government will inject an additional funding of $200 million into the Green Tech Fund (GTF). We estimate that the injection could support about 40 research and development (R&D) projects relevant to net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport, and waste reduction. The injection will not only further promote decarbonisation and enhance environmental protection in Hong Kong, but also create job opportunities for the innovation and technology sector. The second round of applications has recently closed in February. About 100 applications have been received. I hope the local public research institutes, R&D centres and private companies will continue to actively make use of the opportunities offered by the GTF to develop low-carbon and green technologies that meet the specific needs of the Hong Kong and regional environment and market. The Budget also announced the plan to seek funding approval of about $8.4 billion this year for carrying out drainage improvement works in various districts to enhance the flood control capability, with a view to better coping with the risks of rising sea levels and extreme waves caused by climate change.

      

     On green transport, according to the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles issued last year, we will cease new registration of fuel‑propelled and hybrid private cars in 2035 or earlier, continue to formulate trials for various electric and hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles, expand the electric vehicle (EV) charging network, and more, with the aim of attaining zero vehicular emissions before 2050. In view of the continued rapid growth of the EV market and the positive market response to our EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme, the Budget has proposed to inject an additional $1.5 billion to extend the Scheme for four years. The overall $3.5 billion subsidy scheme will support the installation of charging‑enabling infrastructure for a total of about 140 000 parking spaces in some 700 car parks in existing private residential buildings, accounting for about half of the eligible parking spaces in Hong Kong. On the other hand, the Government is making preparations to gradually convert some existing petrol or liquefied petroleum gas filling stations into quick charging stations, so as to support a more diversified EV charging infrastructure to cope with different needs.

      

     As regards the promotion of waste reduction and recycling, the Government will set up more smart recycling points as part of an expanded smart recycling pilot programme, and continue to upgrade the current community recycling support through enhancement of the community recycling network and Green Outreach services, and more. In addition, the relevant bill on municipal solid waste charging was passed by the Legislative Council in August 2021. The Environmental Protection Department is actively commencing preparatory work.

      

     Last but not least, the Government will extend the rental concession for tenants in the EcoPark, country parks and the Hong Kong Wetland Park for another six months amid the fight against the epidemic and to get through the difficult times together.

      

     My colleagues and I are happy to listen to Members’ views and respond to questions.

      

     Thank you, Chairman.

     Following is the opening remarks (English translation) by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, at the special meeting of the Legislative Council Finance Committee this afternoon (April 13):
 
Chairman,
 
     The Financial Secretary continues to support the Environment Bureau’s work towards carbon neutrality and environmental protection in the Budget this year.

     First of all, the 2020 Policy Address announced that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region would strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. To this end, the Government will update Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan in the middle of this year to set out more proactive strategies and measures to reduce carbon emissions. This year, the Budget proposes the following measures to further strengthen such efforts:
 
* earmarking an additional $1 billion to install more small-scale renewable energy systems in government buildings and infrastructure; and
 
* earmarking $150 million for a new Green Welfare NGOs programme to conduct energy audits, as well as install the more energy efficient variable-speed air-conditioners and light emitting diode (LED) lighting, at the premises of eligible welfare non-governmental organisations free of charge.

     Second, the Government will also set aside $500 million to carry out enhancement works on facilities in some country parks, such as providing recreational elements; improving facilities in country parks; and enriching visitors’ experiences, enjoyment and awareness at the countryside.

     Third, to promote waste reduction and recycling, the Government announced the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035 on February 8 this year with the vision of “Waste Reduction • Resources Circulation • Zero Landfill”. The Blueprint sets out a number of measures to enhance participation of the entire community on waste reduction, promote resources circulation and develop necessary waste management infrastructure, with a view to moving away from over-reliance on landfills in the long term. Measures related to waste reduction include:
 
* injecting an additional funding of $1 billion to the Recycling Fund and extending its application period to 2027;
 
* setting up more Recycling Stores and smart recycling facilities to enhance the coverage of the community recycling network;
 
* extending the outreach services of Green Outreach to all districts over the territory to strengthen on-site recycling support;
 
* continuing to implement various producer responsibility schemes (PRSs), and we are consulting the public on the PRS on plastic beverage containers and carrying out a pilot scheme on reverse vending machines to collect plastic beverage containers; and
 
* continuing to co-operate with the Bills Committee of the Legislative Council on the scrutiny work of the bill on municipal solid waste charging with a view to facilitating its early passage.

     Fourth, to promote new energy transport, last month we announced the first ever Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles, which sets out the vision of “Zero Carbon Emissions • Clean Air • Smart City”. The Roadmap elaborates on our long-term policy objectives and plans on promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs), with a view to attaining zero vehicular emissions before 2050. Key measures include no new registration of fuel-propelled private cars in 2035 or earlier, expanding the EV charging network and promoting its marketisation, training EV technicians and mechanics, formulating a PRS for retired EV batteries, and more. We will also continue to take forward the relevant work including:
 
* subsidising the installation of EV charging-enabling infrastructure at more than 60 000 parking spaces in existing private residential buildings through the $2 billion EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme; and
 
* formulating trials for various electric public transport and commercial vehicles, such as a pilot scheme for electric public light buses, and a trial for electric ferries serving in-harbour routes which is expected to be launched in 2023.

     Fifth, we will also update A Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong in the middle of this year to set out challenges, targets and strategies to further improve the air quality of Hong Kong.

     We anticipate that the measures mentioned above could create or support thousands of job opportunities in the next few years. The Budget also allocates additional resources to support green recovery. The measures include:
 
* providing about 900 additional temporary jobs in the realm of environmental protection, involving over $100 million; and
 
* extending the rental reduction waiver for tenants of the EcoPark, country park refreshment kiosks and the Hong Kong Wetland Park for another six months.

     My colleagues and I are happy to listen to Members’ views and respond to questions. Thank you, Chairman.