WWF welcomes the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging-Enabling Infrastructure pilot subsidy scheme announced today (15 October) by the Environment Bureau as it is in line with our call for a low carbon city. It shows the Government’s commitment in delivering a sustainable and livable city however WWF feels that a long-term decarbonisation goal for Hong Kong is also needed to limit global warming to below 1.5°C against pre-industrial levels and, thereby, helps transform Hong Kong into Asia’s most sustainable city and offer a new deal for people and nature.
To align with international long-term decarbonisation trend, WWF suggests the Government to phase out all sales of petrol-and/or diesel-based private vehicles by 2030 and transit to all EV by 2050 for a carbon-neutral transport goal. This will enable Hong Kong to remain competitive internationally on sustainability, as other countries and cities have already set out concrete timeline in phasing out the sales of private vehicles powered by fossil fuel in the coming decades, e.g. UK, Denmark, France, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver etc. China, the largest automobile market in the world, has also announced in 2017 its plan on a future ban on sales of traditional fuel vehicles.
“We regard the EV Charging-Enabling Infrastructure pilot subsidy scheme a good move by the Government to solve some of the practical challenges in gradual adoption of EVs in the city, and we believe it helps pave the way for legislation on phasing out fossil fuel vehicles. However, currently in Hong Kong, less than 1 per cent of the electricity is generated by renewable energy. For electrification of vehicles to help more to solve the climate crisis, the city's electricity needs to be generated from renewable resource such as solar energy. WWF suggests a 10% renewable energy target by 2030. There is no simple solution to tackling climate change, we look upon the Government to lead all stakeholders in committing to a science-based target urgently,” comments Karen Ho, Head of Corporate and Community Sustainability, WWF Hong Kong.
To align with international long-term decarbonisation trend, WWF suggests the Government to phase out all sales of petrol-and/or diesel-based private vehicles by 2030 and transit to all EV by 2050 for a carbon-neutral transport goal. This will enable Hong Kong to remain competitive internationally on sustainability, as other countries and cities have already set out concrete timeline in phasing out the sales of private vehicles powered by fossil fuel in the coming decades, e.g. UK, Denmark, France, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver etc. China, the largest automobile market in the world, has also announced in 2017 its plan on a future ban on sales of traditional fuel vehicles.
“We regard the EV Charging-Enabling Infrastructure pilot subsidy scheme a good move by the Government to solve some of the practical challenges in gradual adoption of EVs in the city, and we believe it helps pave the way for legislation on phasing out fossil fuel vehicles. However, currently in Hong Kong, less than 1 per cent of the electricity is generated by renewable energy. For electrification of vehicles to help more to solve the climate crisis, the city's electricity needs to be generated from renewable resource such as solar energy. WWF suggests a 10% renewable energy target by 2030. There is no simple solution to tackling climate change, we look upon the Government to lead all stakeholders in committing to a science-based target urgently,” comments Karen Ho, Head of Corporate and Community Sustainability, WWF Hong Kong.
