In a continuous attempt to improve energy literacy and to facilitate energy policy discussion among Hong Kong stakeholders, Civic Exchange is organising an open forum to discuss Hong Kong’s energy outlook in light of local perspectives and regional circumstances. This energy forum will be the first of a three-part series in 2013.

As one of China’s fastest growing provinces, Guangdong is facing a real challenge in keeping up its economic growth and at the same time meeting both its energy and environmental goals, in light of national targets set under the 12th Five-year Plan, as well as the plan to cap domestic production and consumption of coal in China. While Guangdong is re-shaping its energy strategy, Hong Kong is also contemplating a new round of discussion over its long-term energy policy. How to prioritise among energy security, reliability, safety, environmental performance, and affordability? What are the views of Hong Kong people on energy mix and energy conservation? How would Guangdong’s energy plan affect Hong Kong, and vice versa? (more…)

In support of the Second United Nations Global Road Safety Week focused on ‘pedestrian safety’, Civic Exchange, Community for Road Safety and Designing Hong Kong will co-host a full day event entitled Walkable City, Living Streets. Three main themes of conferences, ‘Pedestrian Network Planning’, ‘Pedestrian Safety’ and ‘Streets as Public Space’, will be given and followed by a panel discussion on integrating the three themes in urban and transport planning in Hong Kong. (more…)

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How can Hong Kong play its part in China meeting its commitment to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy to 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2020? Tony Wood will explain ideas proposed for Australia to support low carbon electricity generation which are put forward in the ‘Building the Bridge’ July 2012 report which he authored for the Grattan Institute. There will then be the opportunity to discuss how Hong Kong, working with Mainland China, might be able to take advantage of these ideas.

Tony Wood is the Energy Program Director of the Grattan Institute. He has deep experience in the energy sector. He worked at Origin Energy for 11 years, and was an adviser to the first Garnaut climate change review. He is also program director of Clean Energy Projects at the Clinton Foundation.

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With CO2 emissions at record highs and demand for energy surging, the International Energy Agency has warned that dangerous climate change will be “locked in” by 2017. Prof Julia King, the UK’s Low Carbon Business Ambassador, will present the latest news on the urgency of de-carbonizing energy production and consumption. A panel of experts will then offer commentary on whether Asia, and China in particular, can rise to the challenge of clean energy — in time. (more…)