(To watch the 2021 Policy Address speech with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government will devote about $240 billion to take forward various measures on climate change, Chief Executive Carrie Lam pledged in her Policy Address today.

She noted that the Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, to be announced shortly, will set out more proactive strategies and measures on reducing carbon emissions to attain carbon neutrality.

To oversee the effective implementation of the measures outlined in the action plan, the Environment Bureau will set up the Office of Climate Change & Carbon Neutrality to strengthen co-ordination and promote deep decarbonisation.

A dedicated advisory committee will also be formed to offer advice and promote active participation of major stakeholders including young people, Mrs Lam added.

One of the Government’s decarbonisation targets is to cease using coal for daily electricity generation by 2035 as well as working with franchised bus companies to conduct trials of hydrogen fuel cell buses, with a view to formulating a specific roadmap and timetable for the use of new energy public transport in 2025.

On waste reduction, the Government will embark on the preparatory work for the implementation of municipal solid waste charging following the passage of the relevant legislation by lawmakers.

Mrs Lam announced that the Environmental Protection Department will take over the management of refuse collection points and household refuse collection services from the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, so as to bring the collection, recycling, delivery and treatment of waste under the same umbrella.

Urban revamp

She also outlined measures on urban renewal, noting that the number of private buildings over the age of 50 has surged from 3,900 to 8,600 over the past decade.

The Urban Renewal Authority will step up the revamp for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, including piloting planning tools such as transfer of plot ratio and street consolidation in suitable redevelopment projects, which will also be applicable to privately-led redevelopment projects and other districts where appropriate.

Mrs Lam pointed out that the authority will start similar district planning studies on Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po.

Additionally, the Government will explore ways to lower the compulsory sale thresholds for old and dilapidated buildings to speed up their redevelopment, with due consideration to be given to minority owners’ interests and building conditions.

Although Hong Kong still faces various issues including a shortage of land for housing, traffic congestion and ageing buildings, such challenges should not hinder the city’s determination to build a quality living environment for its people, the Chief Executive added.