Reach out to Leaders: Mr Wong Kam-sing, GBS, JP, Secretary for the Environment, HKSAR Government

Date: 5 March 2021

Venue: Central Government Offices

EVD Representatives: Ir Dr Anthony Ma, Ir Kelvin Tang, Ir Kenny Wong, Ir Thomas Chan, Ir Benjamin Lam, Ir Daniel Wang, Ir Fredrick Leong

It is a tremendous honour of EVD’s representatives to meet Mr Wong Kam-shing (KS) with his sharing of insights into the sustainable development roadmap. This interview video is posted on EVD’s website, Facebook and IG.

KS was motivated to join the Government and serve the community with his in-breath and in-depth professional knowledge and experience. The Government has launched various blueprints on air quality improvement, energy saving, carbon reduction, biodiversity, and the latest one “Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035” which he said being the most challenging as it relates to personal life and individual action.

To achieve the so challenging net-zero carbon by Year 2050, KS opined that the Government adopts a holistic approach of strategies, including the boost of low carbon power supply and efficient energy consumption, green transportation especially electric vehicles, and waste reduction measures. These policies provide ample opportunities for engineers to contribute to the sustainable development.

KS highlighted the Green Tech Fund being a practical platform to facilitate the academics and private companies to conduct research, development and application of decarbonization and green technologies, and to commercialise matured ones for wide applications, e.g. solar panels on building roofs, EV charging facilities, etc.

KS considered the Government has long been promoting Green Finance through various initiatives, e.g. launching of Green Bond Programme, smart environment measures under Hong Kong Smart City Blueprint, etc. Most importantly, the capacity building of environmental professionals will be crucial in developing the environmental industry, e.g. launching of Green Employment Scheme.

To support young engineers, KS quoted that the Government has established various new waste management facilities, e.g. T·PARK, O·PARK1, which especially provide job opportunities for young engineers to practice environmental profession in the “waste-to-energy” and “waste-to-materials” horizons for developing a sustainable future of Hong Kong. The establishment of EPD’s Environment Academy also offers continuing professional development to keep up with the latest development in the environmental industry.

KS concluded that, as announced in the Policy Address and the Budget, the Government is very supportive to accelerate the environmental industry and economy to make Hong Kong a better place to live and work.

EVD Website: http://ev.hkie.org.hk/

IG name: hkieevd

Facebook name: HKIE Environmental Division

From Left: Ir Daniel Wang, Ir Fredrick Leong, Ir Kelvin Tang, Ir Kenny Wong, Mr Wong Kam Shing, Ir Dr Anthony Ma, Ir Thomas Chan, Ir Benjamin Lam