The adoption of Paris Agreement was a remarkable step forward for international cooperation in climate actions. All signatories are committed to limiting the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees in order to stave off the more drastic effects of global climate change. As part of China, Hong Kong is obliged to draw up its own long-term decarbonisation strategy up to 2050 by 2020. In this regard, the Council for Sustainable Development (SDC) has accepted the Government’s invitation to roll out a territory-wide public engagement (PE) exercise for gauging the views of the public and stakeholders in formulating a long-term decarbonisation strategy for Hong Kong, and mobilising stronger climate actions across different sectors of society.
This briefing session aims to engage the university’s community to leverage their insights and ideas on possible actions related to reducing carbon emissions that suit the development progress of Hong Kong. Some key discussion topics that set out in the PE document include: the transition towards low-carbon lifestyles, intensifying efforts in enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings, using more zero carbon fuel sources for electricity generation, and the development of low carbon transport.
Ms Chow has been involved in various sustainability-related research and planning consultancy works with solid experiences in organising community participatory activities, conducting workshops and charettes and providing training for NGOs, private sector and government departments. Her major interest fields include environmental management, urban planning, sustainable development and transport planning. She has been a Chartered Town Planner of the Royal Town Planning Institute, the United Kingdom since 2008.
Mr. Leung was trained as an urban planner and he has engaged in various research on urban renewal, sustainability reporting and resource efficient cities. He has also participated in a number of consultancy projects for international organisations, such as the UNEP and the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED); several work departments of the HKSAR Government such as Highways Department and Civil Engineering and Development Department. These projects have spanned across a wide range of topics, including climate change and building energy efficiency, harbour reclamation and waterfront planning, regional transportation planning, and green economy policies, practices and initiatives.