SDC submits report on promotion of sustainable consumption of biological resources to Government
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The Council for Sustainable Development (SDC) today (June 2) submitted its report on the public engagement on promotion of sustainable consumption of biological resources to the Government.
The Chairman of the SDC, Professor Arthur Li, said, "We rely on different biological resources to meet our daily needs. However, many of these resources are now under the threat of depletion and exhaustion. We must contain the consumption rate of biological resources at a level below their reproduction rate so that biological resources can be sustained. In view of the urgent need for action, the Council therefore conducted a public engagement earlier on promotion of sustainable consumption of biological resources."
During the public engagement process, the SDC invited public views on three main aspects: how to facilitate smart choice for consumers, how to promote best practices among businesses and the public sector, and what kinds of education and publicity should be pursued.
Professor Li said, "It is evident from the feedback received that Hong Kong has yet to develop a solid appreciation of the importance of sustainable consumption of biological resources as well as ways and means to practise this. The mainstream view pointed to the need for greater awareness building and for encouragement and facilitation measures.
"Having carefully considered the views received, the Council has put forward 20 recommendations under four aspects, namely to foster a culture of sustainable consumption of biological resources, to facilitate smart choice for consumers, to promote best practices among businesses and to show leadership on the part of the Government."
The 20 recommendations are as follows:
Fostering a culture of sustainable consumption of biological resources
* to devise a long-term strategy that would help induce behavioural change towards more sustainable consumption of biological resources;
* to formulate promotion plans and publicise promotional messages through social media and electronic devices as far as possible;
* to invite the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) to launch a campaign to further promote sustainable consumption of biological resources, and to facilitate non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and schools to initiate and implement education and community engagement programmes and activities to promote the concept and importance of sustainable consumption of biological resources;
* to promote the values of sustainable consumption of biological resources amongst teachers and make available teaching materials as well as provide training workshops for teachers to facilitate them to strengthen the concept of green living and sustainable consumption of biological resources in primary and secondary schools;
* to encourage schools to promote sustainable consumption of biological resources through daily activities, such as through incorporating eco-labelled food items into the lunch menu;
* to invite the ECC to consider incorporating sustainable consumption of biological resources in assessing its Hong Kong Green School Award, and to consider incorporating this in assessing the SDC's Sustainable Development School Award;
Facilitating smart choices for consumers
* to encourage quasi-government organisations/NGOs with funding support to establish an information platform, which would feature different databases regarding eco-labelled products and the supplier lists of such products, and to promote community awareness and knowledge of such a platform;
* to encourage quasi-government organisations/NGOs with funding support to produce simple and clear sustainable consumption guides which should include recipes covering sustainable live, frozen, dried and canned food;
* to develop a webpage on sustainable consumption of biological resources that would feature pertinent information relating to sustainable consumption of biological resources (e.g. consumer guides, databases regarding eco-labelled products and supplier lists of such products);
Promoting best practices among businesses
* to encourage businesses to provide wider supply of sustainable products;
* to encourage quasi-government organisations/NGOs with funding support to initiate a scheme in partnership with interested businesses to promote sustainable products to consumers through some forms of bonus scheme or reward programme;
* to encourage quasi-government organisations/NGOs with funding support to launch a charter scheme on voluntary commitment by eateries and retail outlets to supply sustainable products as a kind of sustainability best practice for corporations and businesses, and to encourage co-operation with social media to advertise chartered eateries;
* to incorporate consideration of sustainable consumption of biological resources in the context of the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence;
* to promote the Green Procurement Guidelines to businesses, and to organise workshops/briefings/sharing sessions to encourage voluntary commitment by businesses and quasi-government organisations to (i) adopt green procurement and (ii) develop best practice guidelines to facilitate the adoption;
* to promote the sustainable development of fisheries and agricultural industries, including assisting fishermen and farmers in switching to sustainable modes of operations;
Government taking the lead
* to regularly review the food list to be avoided in official banquets as stipulated in the Environment Bureau's circular to demonstrate the Government's commitment to sustainable consumption and green living, and to promote the same to businesses, quasi-government organisations and NGOs;
* to consider setting targets and mapping out a timeline on (i) expanding the list of products derived from biological resources in the Green Procurement Guidelines and (ii) making the sustainability specifications of such products mandatory, in the light of the market situation and government procurement needs;
* in respect of products derived from biological resources, to consider (i) enhancing the consideration of sustainability in the public procurement/tendering process and (ii) setting appropriate targets and mapping out a timeline, with a view to encouraging the use of sustainable products;
* to encourage quasi-government organisations/academic institutions with funding support to conduct a territory-wide study to examine behavioural changes on sustainable consumption of biological resources in Hong Kong, with a view to raising awareness and educating the public on sustainable consumption of biological resources; and
* to keep in view the case for strengthened measures and use of economic and financial tools to promote sustainable consumption of biological resources in the longer run.
"The recommendations were formulated having balanced the need for urgent action and the current awareness level of the community. Ultimately, it is the mindset and behaviour change that would lead us to more sustainable lifestyle and daily practices. Everyone in Hong Kong has an important part to play to foster a better future for us and for our future generations. We look forward to the Government's positive response to the Council's recommendations," Professor Li added.
During the public involvement period from July 26, 2016, to November 15, 2016, a total of 64 engagement events including regional and youth forums, school talks and briefing sessions for advisory bodies and residents' organisations were held with participation of over 3 000 members of the public. The Social Sciences Research Centre of the University of Hong Kong was commissioned by the SDC to analyse a total of about 3 600 views collection forms and written submissions received.
The SDC's report is available on the public engagement website, www.susdev.org.hk.
Ends/Friday, June 2, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:01
Issued at HKT 12:01
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