Kiran Hira

Waste management is a significant environmental problem in Hong Kong, with the city generating a large amount of solid waste daily. In 2022, 6,800 metric tons of domestic waste ended up in landfills every day. This is equivalent to the weight of about 3,400 Asian male elephants. The lack of a sufficient waste management system in Hong Kong has resulted in overflowing landfills and increasing methane emissions as a result. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over 20 years. Despite efforts to promote recycling and waste reduction, Hong Kong struggles with limited recycling infrastructure and low recycling rates, exacerbating the waste management challenge. To tackle the growing waste crisis, Hong Kong introduced a Waste Tax Scheme, a municipal solid waste charging initiative. By requiring residents to dispose of garbage only in designated bags that they must purchase, the scheme incentivizes waste reduction and recycling. The waste tax scheme will charge residents 11 HK cents (US 1 cent) for each litre of garbage they throw away. Plastic bags for waste disposal come in different sizes and are priced accordingly. Failure to comply will result in a fine of HKD 1,500 (USD 190). While the scheme aims to reduce waste generation and encourage recycling, it has encountered several challenges that are raising concerns among residents. Government-issued bags are made out of plastic One of the challenges facing the Waste Tax Scheme is the use of plastic bags for waste disposal. While these government-issued bags are intended to facilitate waste collection and measurement, they inadvertently contribute to the city's plastic pollution problem. The irony of combating waste while adding to plastic pollution has sparked criticism and calls for more sustainable alternatives to be considered. The potential for illegal bag production at a lower priceIf and when the price of government-issued bags rises, there is the possibility of illegal production of cheaper plastic bags. This not only undermines the scheme's objectives but also poses a significant threat to environmental sustainability. The allure of cost-saving measures may lead to a surge in counterfeit plastic bags, further exacerbating Hong Kong's plastic pollution issue. The Hong Kong income gapIncome inequality in Hong Kong poses a significant challenge to the Waste Tax Scheme's implementation. With a substantial disparity between the rich and the poor, the tax price fails to consider the range of income levels in the city. For individuals with low incomes struggling to make ends meet, the fines are extremely hefty. This disparity highlights the need for a more inclusive and equitable waste management strategy that addresses the financial circumstances of all residents. Charging residents won’t lead to lasting behavior change While the Waste Tax Scheme aims to reduce waste through financial penalties, the approach may not always yield the desired results. Asking individuals to pay based on their waste disposal amounts can lead to unintended consequences, such as stockpiling waste which can lead to household hygiene issues. The challenge lies in striking a balance between encouraging responsible waste management practices and avoiding potential harmful side effects. There is an urgent need to address the potential unintended consequences that may occur as a result of the scheme. Exploring alternative materials for waste disposal, mitigating the risks of illegal production, implementing measures to support low-income households, and fostering behaviour change through targeted education and awareness campaigns are crucial steps towards overcoming the obstacles hindering the scheme's effectiveness. The challenges facing Hong Kong's Waste Tax Scheme underscore the complexities of waste management and the importance of addressing these issues to achieve a cleaner city. By acknowledging the above challenges, and engaging in constructive dialogue with the general public and key decision-makers, Hong Kong can improve its waste management system.

There is no denying that we are starting to see the impacts of climate change magnify. Extreme weather events are becoming prevalent and becoming harder to predict. We are already 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures, and based on The State of Climate Action Report, global progress is nowhere near where we want it to be. However, among the 42 indicators evaluating sectoral climate action globally, only one sector was on track to achieve its 2030 target - electric vehicle shares in passenger car sales. This trend was particularly noticeable in Hong Kong when private vehicles reached record-level sales last year. Almost half of all private car sales in the first quarter of the year were EVs. This was part of the government’s plan to encourage the adoption of EVs when tax concessions of up to HKD 97,500 were offered to first-time buyers in 2018. Tax concessions were even higher for those who switched from their petrol-powered cars. Today, there are 62,000 registered EVs on Hong Kong roads, a 91% increase from the year before. According to the government, EVs are considered critical to the city’s efforts to improve air quality, mitigate climate change, and become carbon neutral.However, electrifying transport has no impact on reducing emissions if the fuel mix is not powered by clean energy. Hong Kong’s current fuel mix is dominated by fossil fuels with Natural gas accounting for 48% of the total share, followed by 36% from Nuclear, and 15% from Coal. Only 1% comes from renewable energy (solar and wind). In 2021, Hong Kong’s emissions amounted to 34.7 million tonnes – a 4% increase from the year before. Electricity generation accounted for more than two-thirds of total emissions, which makes it a sector that is key when talking about decarbonisation. The government has pledged to become carbon-neutral by 2050, this still means using natural gas as ‘it is currently [one of the] commercially viable and proven lower carbon solutions available today that can meet baseload demand’ (Hong Kong’s Climate Vision 2050 policy document, page 11). By 2030, the government aims to significantly increase the use of natural gas and continue to phase down coal. Although natural gas produces half as much carbon dioxide to produce the same amount of energy, it is still a fossil fuel. Replacing one fossil fuel with another is contradictory when one talks about decarbonisation. Carbon capture is also mentioned as a potential strategic option, but it is nowhere near commercially scalable to the point where can reduce the amount of GHG emissions needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.If there is one lesson to be learnt from the events in Hong Kong this past year, is the urgency of climate action. Hong Kong is not prepared nor well-equipped for to inevitable consequences of climate change. In 2023, Hong Kong experienced its hottest summer: average temperatures in August soared to 29.7 degrees Celsius – the highest recorded since records began 140 years ago. A month later, record-breaking rain (more than 200mm) flooded the city causing landslides and infrastructure damage. The entire city was brought to a standstill, schools were suspended, and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was closed.In response, the government announced an HKD 8 billion ($1 billion) climate resilience plan earlier this year, focusing on utilising big data and AI to enhance hazard forecasts and alerts. While this may assist in damage control and help residents prepare, it does not address the source of the problem. Artificial Intelligence is a relatively recent technology, and we're still discovering its capabilities. Navigating its safe usage is a current social experiment. Perhaps soon it will be an integral cog in climate change solutions. However, we are living in a moment of urgency, and someday is not now. We need time to figure out how AI can be used effectively with minimal risk, and time is a luxury we simply cannot afford. As we navigate these challenges, it's crucial to recognize the urgency of the situation. Hong Kong's climate actions must extend beyond reactive measures. While big data and AI may play a role in managing the aftermath of climate events, a comprehensive solution requires addressing the core issue – the city's reliance on fossil fuels for its energy needs.

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Kiran Hira

Complexities of Hong Kong's Waste Tax Scheme

Hong Kong’s Climate Action