Concerted efforts needed to build climate resilience in Hong Kong

Experts from the government, private sector and civil society explore ways to foster climate resilience in Hong Kong.

In line with the University’s commitment to promote sustainability, the Office of Academic Links hosted a public webinar ‘Climate Resilience in Hong Kong’ on 14 April as part of the Solve Climate by 2030 worldwide initiative organised by Bard College in the US. As one of the largest international academic movements of this year, teachers are encouraged to make use of the climate webinars organised around the world as learning resources and engage their students to find local solutions to climate change. The webinar at CUHK was organised in collaboration with the Institute of Future Cities (IOFC), the Urban Studies Programme (USP), the Department of Geography and Resource Management, the Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Office, and the Hong Kong Chapter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

At the webinar moderated by Prof. Tung Fung, Director of IOFC and Prof. Mee Kam Ng, Programme Director of USP, prominent speakers explored what the government of Hong Kong, the private sector and civil society can do to foster climate resilience in Hong Kong. Speakers included Mr. Wong Kam-sing, GBS, JP, Secretary for the Environment; Dr. Jeanne Ng, Director of the CLP Research Institute; and Dr. William Yu, CEO of the World Green Organisation. Minister Wong shared the government’s measures in preparing Hong Kong to face climate crisis in the future and its works towards carbon neutrality before 2050. Dr. Ng called upon the business sector to turn climate crisis into opportunities for creative long-term mitigated and adaptive self-reliant responses across the value chain, while Dr. Yu advocated green finance to encourage the development of a more sustainable economy.

The webinar attracted some 200 people from 14 countries/regions around the world. The audience spans across a wide spectrum of professions, ranging from teachers, researchers, government officials, environmental advocates to students and professionals in city planning and the power industries.

To revisit the webinar, please click here.