Priority Themes
Innovative technologies play a critical role in our quest for carbon neutrality before 2050. In 2020, electricity generation was Hong Kong's largest source of carbon emissions (60%), followed by transport (20%) and waste (9%). Therefore, our decarbonisation efforts would focus on these three key areas. We welcome and encourage R&D institutes to apply for the GTF to develop low-carbon technologies with high application and commercialisation potential that cater for the specific needs of Hong Kong's environment and market, the technologies to be developed should be specific to Hong Kong's circumstances and challenges and can demonstrate clear prospect for commercialisation/ application in local context. Projects that can support Government’s policy objectives in the areas of Net-zero Electricity Generation, Energy Saving and Green Buildings, Green Transport and Waste Reduction will be given priority.
Targets in Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050
Phasing out coal for electricity generation
- Cease using coal for daily electricity generation, to be replaced by low to zero-carbon energy by 2035
Renewable Energy
- Increase the share of renewable energy (RE) in the fuel mix for electricity generation from less than 1% at present to 7.5% to 10% by 2035, and further to 15% subsequently
Zero-carbon Energy
- Raise the share of zero-carbon energy in the fuel mix for electricity generation to 60% to 70% before 2035
Description of Projects
- Development of technology for enhancement of potential application of renewable energy (RE) and using new zero-carbon energy for electricity generation in Hong Kong
Targets in Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050
Electricity Saving in Buildings
- Reduce the electricity consumption of commercial buildings by 15% to 20% and that of the residential buildings by 10% to 15% from the 2015 level by 2035
- Reduce the electricity consumption of commercial buildings by 30% to 40% and that of the residential buildings by 20% to 30% from the 2015 level by 2050
Description of Projects
- Projects that can improve energy efficiency in buildings in Hong Kong, such as development of innovative energy-saving technologies to further improve the energy performance of buildings and district cooling systems, use of big data and artificial intelligence to optimise and improve the energy performance of building, etc.
Targets in Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050
Electric Private Cars
- Cease the new registration of fuel-propelled and hybrid private cars by 2035 or earlier
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
- Test out the hydrogen fuel cell electric buses and heavy vehicles within 3 years
New Energy Transport
- Promote adoption and trial of new energy transport
Description of Projects
- Projects that can facilitate wide adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and other electric and new energy transports including public transport and commercial vehicles in Hong Kong (including technologies on charging facilities), thereby support the popularisation of green transport
Targets in Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050
Enhance Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Reduce the per capita disposal rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) by 40 – 45% and increase the recovery rate to about 55%. Major waste types include food waste, waste plastics, waste paper, glass waste, waste electrical and electronic equipment and yard waste
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Charging
- Prepare for implementation of waste charging in 2023, encourage waste reduction and recycling, and strengthen community facilities and support
Food waste
- Develop adequate facilities by mid-2030s to handle the amount of food waste expected to be collected (i.e. around half of the daily food waste disposal) for transforming into energy or resources
Disposable Plastic Tableware
- Regulate disposable plastic tableware, etc. in phases from 2023, and explore the need of handling other single-use plastics
Waste to Energy
- Develop adequate waste-to-energy facilities by 2035
Description of Projects
- Projects that can enhance efficiency of waste reduction and recycling as well as resources circulation
- Projects that can facilitate implementation of MSW charging, collection and recycling of food waste, regulation of disposable plastics tableware, reduction in the use of single-use plastics and promotion of waste-to-energy