Is Hong Kong Ready To Embrace a More Sustainable Future?

Hong Kong’s Blueprint for Sustainable Development

On December 14^th 2023, the Environment and Ecology Bureau unveiled the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Blueprint proposes a variety of initiatives designed to promote the sustainable development and modernisation of the agriculture and fishery sectors, enhancing the quality, quantity and output of local products in the long run. Using technological advances as a means to combat the region’s land and labour shortages, the plan includes ambitious and “aggressive” goals for increasing yield.

The plan calls for increasing the annual production of cultured fish from 600 to 1,200 tonnes within five years and to 6,000 tonnes within 15 years. Within the same timeframe, the government will push for the adoption of more modern, environmentally-friendly production methods to increase annual agricultural output from 15,000 to 60,000 tonnes.

As Hong Kong strives for increased yields, the blueprint reflects a shared vision of sustainability that resonates with the principles of our Food Made Good Standard.

Major initiatives outlined in the Blueprint include:
 

• developing deep sea mariculture,
• promoting modernised aquaculture,
• planning for establishing fisheries protection areas,
• promoting development of offshore fisheries,
• designating Agricultural Priority Areas,
• implementing the Agricultural Park project,
• introducing urban farming,
• facilitating construction of multi-storey enclosed livestock farms, and
• developing leisure farming and fisheries.

In creating the Blueprint, the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department participated in nearly 20 consultation activities, reaching out to hundreds of stakeholders in the agriculture and fishing sectors to ensure that the plan meets their current needs.

A new future for Hong Kong’s farming and fishing

The Government will work together with the sectors to implement the initiatives set out in the Blueprint, aiming to realise the sustainable development of the agriculture and fisheries industries, to attract young people to the industry and to provide Hong Kong with employment opportunities as well as quality food.

“Due to Hong Kong’s rapid development, our agricultural and fisheries industries have come to a standstill or even shrunk, causing young people to avoid the industries,” said Secretary for the Environment Tse Chin-wan. “But Hong Kong’s agriculture and fisheries industries have a rich and significant history and are deeply rooted in the local cultural heritage.

“Land is an issue, and as the world develops, if our industries remain at a rudimentary stage, it is difficult to be competitive especially as our regional neighbours are improving rapidly. We discussed with farmers and fishermen the challenges they faced and how the government can provide technical and financial support.”

Tse said he was confident that the transformation to hi-tech farming would encourage younger generations to consider careers in the sector. “When young people see that agriculture and fisheries are actually a hi-tech industry and it is not something that belongs to the past generations, they will feel interested,” he said. “Also, science and technology can improve the working environment for the sector and both will improve the attractiveness.”

The Blueprint also calls for the integration of agricultural areas into new town developments within 15 years, with the city’s first urban farm created at Ma On Shan’s Sai Sha Road Garden. Anthony Lam Sai-ho, Director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) predicted that advanced farming technology could allow urban farms like this to meet up to 10% of local demand for food. “I have to admit our goal is very aggressive,” he said, “But if we manage to mark out land to prioritise agriculture, with the implementation of technology and upgrading facilities, like building more greenhouses, our farmers will not have to be affected by natural disasters, which are currently causing huge losses.”

You can find the full text of the Blueprint here on the Environment and Ecology Bureau website.

Time for single-use plastic to hit the rubbish bin

Meanwhile, it’s time for Hong Kong’s throw-away culture to be placed firmly in the rubbish bin. A ban on single-use plastic items will come into effect on April 22^nd, Earth Day, marking a significant step forward for Hong Kong towards a more environmentally-conscious future.

Hong Kong currently sends an outstanding 11,000 tonnes of waste to landfill every day – 21% of which consists of plastic items. The new single-use plastic ban will hopefully lead to huge reductions in these figures.

Phase one will ban some types of polystyrene and plastic tableware that are difficult to recycle; this includes plastic forks, knives, spoons and plates for dine-in customers. Plastic containers such as cups and bowls will also be banned for sit-down meals, though allowed for takeaway until the advent of phase two, which will "depend on the availability and affordability” of reusable alternatives.

For hotels and guesthouses, the ban will also include plastic-bottled water provided in hotel rooms as well as toiletries like plastic-handled toothbrushes, plastic-packed toothpaste, shower caps, razors, nail files, combs, shampoo, body wash, conditioners, body lotions and hand sanitisers in disposable plastic containers.

While businesses are scrambling to comply within the short timeframe, we believe that the long-term benefits will outweigh the inconvenience. By embracing reuse systems and switching to plastic-free options, hospitality businesses often find that they see reduced costs. Furthermore, with consumers in Hong Kong increasingly aware of environmental issues, we hope to see more sustainable restaurants in Hong Kong ready to take further steps on the road to sustainability. Actions like this are also critical for pulling Hong Kong forward into the modern era where sustainability is concerned.

Later this year, 175 nations will sign a legally-binding UN Plastic Treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production, use and disposal.

The Municipal Waste Scheme delayed to ensure smooth implementation

Originally scheduled to come into effect from April 1^st, the Municipal Solid Waste Charging Scheme has faced public criticism and concerns about operational details.

On Friday 19^th of January, Hong Kong Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Tse Chin-wan, confirmed that the implementation would be delayed until August.

At the briefing, Tse said, “Many people expressed their concern to me that the general public do not understand how waste-charging will be implemented. I believe that it is just a responsible act for us to put more time into the education so that when we implement waste-charging, it will be implemented successfully and smoothly.”

Under the Municipal Solid Waste Charging scheme, Hong Kong residents will be required to use pre-paid, government-approved bags – available in nine different sizes and available at supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies – to dispose of their garbage.

The programme will still apply to government departments from the start of April, giving the public the opportunity to see a demonstration of how the scheme will operate while also allowing time for the ironing-out of any kinks.

The Sustainable Restaurant Association operates in Hong Kong and can support your business in working towards a sustainable future (and reaping the benefits of doing so!). If you’re a hospitality business interested in talking to us about our Food Made Good Standard or any other way we can help you on your journey, get in touch with Karen at karen@thesra.org.