Hong Kong's Progress in Decarbonisation: Analysis of Carbon Emissions Reduction and Climate Action

Hong Kong's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is a crucial step in mitigating climate change. The city's Climate Action Plan 2050 outlines four major decarbonisation strategies: net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport, and waste reduction. Since the plan's announcement in 2021, Hong Kong has made steady progress, with total greenhouse gas emissions decreasing by about 20% from the 2005 level and about a quarter from the peak in 2014.

Key Takeaways:

• The Government has proposed four major decarbonisation strategies to reduce Hong Kong's carbon emissions by half from the 2005 level by 2035.
• Hong Kong's total greenhouse gas emissions have been on a downward trend after reaching its peak in 2014, with a reduction of about 20% from the 2005 level and about a quarter from the peak in 2014.
• The per capita greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 was 4.58 tonnes, which is a new low since 1990 and nearly 30% lower than those in 2005 and 2014.
• Combating climate change is a long-term task, and the Government will review the Climate Action Plan 2050 about every five years to update the strategies and targets for decarbonisation and other climate actions.
• As of 2022-23, the Government's overall energy performance has improved by about 5.3%, and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has requested all bureaux and departments to provide information on energy consumption and renewable energy of government buildings and facilities annually.
• Over 140 organisations have joined the "Green Hong Kong–Carbon Audit" campaign, including property management companies, universities, professional bodies, non-profit-making organisations, and other business organisations.
• The campaign helps corporates prepare for addressing new climate-related disclosure requirements, and the Government launched the Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong in December last year.
• HKEX launched the Hong Kong International Carbon Market Council and the Core Climate international carbon marketplace in 2022, facilitating the development of an efficient and effective Hong Kong-based international carbon market.
• The platform's participant number reached 100 by the end of 2024, and it has facilitated carbon credit trading by various corporates, including Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, by providing trustworthy settlement services.
• The Government is committed to promoting the use of electric vehicles (EV), with the number of EVs increasing eightfold from about 14 000 five years ago to about 110 000 at the end of last year.
• Currently, about seven out of every ten newly registered private cars are electric private cars (e-PC), and the proportion is among the highest in the world, with a good growth momentum.

Statistics:

• Total greenhouse gas emissions decreased by about 20% from the 2005 level and about a quarter from the peak in 2014.
• Per capita greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 was 4.58 tonnes, which is a new low since 1990 and nearly 30% lower than those in 2005 and 2014.
• The number of EVs increased eightfold from about 14 000 five years ago to about 110 000 at the end of last year.
• About seven out of every ten newly registered private cars are electric private cars (e-PC).
• As of March 2025, Hong Kong had nearly 100 000 parking spaces equipped with charging infrastructure.
• 11 180 public charging facilities, of which about 2 000 are quick or fast charging facilities.

Sources:

• Hong Kong Government, "Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050"
• Hong Kong Government, "Progress in Decarbonisation: Analysis of Carbon Emissions Reduction and Climate Action"
• HKEX, "Hong Kong International Carbon Market Council"
• HKEX, "Core Climate International Carbon Marketplace"
• Hong Kong Government, "Green Hong Kong–Carbon Audit" campaign