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Following are the speaking points by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, at a press conference after the signing of the Sustainability Charter between Hong Kong and Malmo in Malmo, Sweden, today (September 16, Malmo time):
* I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the strong support from the Mayor, Mr Ilmar Reepalu, and his colleagues in Malmo for the tremendous efforts in bringing the collaboration between the two cities to a new phase marked by the signing of the Sustainability Charter.
* Our cities have very different and unique characters, but we will make a happy marriage. Malmo, which has successfully transformed from an industrial city to a knowledge-based economy, has developed as a shining trademark of a sustainable city. Malmo's success in sustainable urban development is a most invaluable experience from which Hong Kong would benefit in our building of a green Hong Kong. On the other hand, Hong Kong's unique built environment and high population density also offer interesting examples and innovative solutions in tackling environmental problems from which Malmo could draw reference.
* Malmo and Hong Kong share a similar vision on many global environmental issues, in particular climate change, which poses an unprecedented challenge for everyone. Both cities have spared no efforts on this front. Malmo's goal of achieving 100 per cent renewable energy in 2020 would serve as a great example not only for Hong Kong but for cities around the world, and there is much we could share regarding energy management, in particular on energy consumption by buildings, which accounts for 90 per cent of electricity use in Hong Kong.
* On waste management, to tackle the imminent waste problem in Hong Kong, we are shifting from our reliance on landfills to advanced waste treatment technologies while stepping up our efforts to reduce waste through recycling. Malmo once again shares similar goals with us in promoting waste reduction and recycling, on which we could share best practices, and we could also share Malmo's experience in the adoption of waste treatment technologies.
* With a population of 7 million, Hong Kong is heavily reliant on public transport, with 90 per cent of our people commuting by public transport daily. Our per capita greenhouse gas emissions level in the area of transportation is far lower than those of other developed regions worldwide. With Malmo's strong focus on public transport and non-motorised transport, there is also much experience for the two cities to share in pursuit of sustainable transport.
* Since our two cities are each part of a bigger region, our partnership will go a long way in benefiting the respective regions we each belong to. The Sustainability Charter will form a strong basis for closer partnership between the two cities that would strengthen our efforts and collaboration for the cause of the environment. Mayor Reepalu and I, together with our colleagues, will work closely on collaboration initiatives and action plans, with a view to achieving concrete benefits for the environment and sustainability of the two cities.
Ends/Friday, September 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:11
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