Hong Kong's Environment and Ecology Bureau has outlined its strategic priorities for the next half-decade, focusing intently on accelerating the city's green transformation. The bureau's key areas of focus include fostering domestic and international connectivity, supporting the Belt and Road Initiative, advancing ecological protection, and strengthening disaster preparedness, all while promoting the trade of agricultural and fishery products.
Within the first five-year plan's 22 major performance indicators, five are binding, and notably, the Environment and Ecology Bureau is responsible for four of these. These targets establish clear, hard requirements for the city's progress in low-carbon transition, energy reform, and the creation of a more livable urban environment with clean air and blue waters. The government aims to leverage a HK$400 million green technology fund to propel the sector's growth and serve as a springboard for domestic green innovations to reach global markets.
A significant element of the strategy involves hydrogen energy, where the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department is active in drafting national standards to align them with international protocols. By 2027, the administration intends to launch a 'Green Tech Bridgehead Plan' to showcase local solutions and facilitate their export to Belt and Road nations. This October will also mark the inaugural joint 'Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference' in Hong Kong, co-hosted with the national Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
Regarding decarbonization, the government is expediting reclamation work in Tseung Kwan O Area 132 to house new strategic power infrastructure. The goal is to boost zero-carbon electricity from roughly a quarter of the supply to between 60 and 70 percent by 2035, with a complete transition to 'net-zero power generation' by 2050. A major development in the new energy sector sees Hong Kong leading the establishment of a global-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production base in Dongguan, slated to begin operations before 2030, while plans are underway for the city's first SAF blending facility to complete the industrial chain.
On the green transport front, the city is aggressively promoting electric vehicles (EVs), with more than 180,000 now on the road and a charging network capable of supporting at least 270,000 vehicles. Future expansion will focus on high-speed chargers for the public network. In partnership with the National Energy Administration, the city will also build its first demonstration site for ChaoJi charging technology by 2027, showcasing interoperability between national and European standards. For commercial vehicles, a task force is exploring suitable models for public light buses and the use of mobile charging robots for more flexible and rapid power solutions. The government has also set a target to stop registering new petrol-powered private cars by 2035, aiming for complete vehicle zero-emission by 2050.
In addition, the Environmental Protection Department is set to enhance the 'Hong Kong Environmental Database' with wider application of AI and innovative technology in daily monitoring, enforcement, and licensing. In the commercial sector, Hong Kong will consolidate its role as a food trade hub, facilitating the export of a wider array of local food products to the mainland with streamlined customs procedures, while also helping mainland provinces use the city to reach overseas markets. A public consultation on amending the Food Sweeteners Regulation is underway to better align with international standards.
In fisheries, the government is offering financial and technical support for deep-sea aquaculture, with an aim to increase local annual marine fish production to approximately 2,000 tonnes by 2031. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will redevelop space at the Tai Po Fish Marketing Organisation for a new processing center. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector will see the construction of the city's first multi-story eco-friendly pig farm in Sheung Shui and the continued development of the Agricultural Park's second phase. The modern technology-driven agricultural park is leasing land to farmers to promote leisure and eco-farming ventures.
Looking ahead, the bureau will continue to align its initiatives with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, solidifying Hong Kong's role as both a 'super connector' and a 'super value-adder' between the mainland and international markets. This commitment is dedicated to advancing the city's green transformation, fostering innovation, seizing the economic opportunities presented by a low-carbon future, and contributing to the vision of a 'Beautiful China' and a 'Beautiful Hong Kong'.