HKSDF, Hong Kong Sustainable Development Forum

What's New

What is new, both here in Hong Kong and in the world of Sustainable Development

 

2007

 

 

2006

 
  1. 24 December 2006 - Climate change claims first victim click here to read about the fate of the first lost island
  2. 24 December 2006 - The unlinkable South China Morning Post reports (24-12-2006) as the lead story on the front page of the newspaper that weather records for 2006 indicate climate change has already affected Hong Kong.  Smog obscures Hong Kong Skies for 1/3 of the year.
  3. 8 December 2006 - Solar cell efficiency breaks the 40% barrier (click here to read more).
  4. 27 October 2006 - New investment for renewable energy in 2005 rose USD 8 billion - a record breaking USD 38 billion (click here to read the REN21)
  5. 17 October 2006 - More news from the EU, EU shockwave for Asian Factories - A high level EU committee identified that business in EU faces unfair competition from overseas, to the extent that many overseas countries don't take climate change seriously, and don't impose any CO2 emission restrictions. Since EU businesses already pay higher costs to cover their local ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme), and foreign players escape penalty - the EU is proposing a mechanism to help create a level playing field. Their solution is a new border adjustment tax to overcome the disparity. Products from countries that pay little or no attention to climate change issues - having no CO2 emission caps for example, will be slapped with border taxes, to compensate for their lax standards at home. Let's take an example, if you are buying products from China, its cheaper than buying from within EU, and one factor is their lower production costs are free from CO2 emission charges. From the local perspective, what does it mean for Asia? With no emissions caps in Asia, products destined for the EU will likely suffer a heavy tax. Of course, consumers in EU will also suffer, as the tax will certainly be past along to the end user, time will tell if the EU has the political will to push through these new measures. Perhaps the threat of a new trade tax will encourage lax governments to adjust their climate change standpoint.
  6. 11 Aug 2006 - Greenland's melt  -- The Greenland ice sheet the second largest ice cap on Earth is now melting twice as fast than in the preceding five years, according to a US-based research team led by Chinese scientist Chen Jianli. It has been shrinking by about 240 cubic kilometres per year since 2004, researchers estimated after studying ice mass changes over Greenland between 2002 and 2005. Previous research showed that the annual loss of the Greenland ice sheet was about 90 cubic kilometres between 1997 and 2003. The latest discovery, published in this week's issue of Science, adds another important piece to the global warming puzzle, indicating that melting polar ice sheets are contributing to the rise of global sea levels. "Our result confirms that the island's ice is melting at an accelerated pace," Chen, now a geophysicist at the Centre for Space Research at the University of Texas, told China Daily on Tuesday (chinadaily).
  7. 9 October 2006 - The European Commission on Friday (6-10-2006) proposed creating a €100-million global risk capital fund to boost private investment in renewable energy in poorer nations (click here to read more).
  8. 25 July 2006 - Pollution - In the face of increasing public pressure for breathable air, the government has finally responded and launched a "new" The Action Blue Sky Campaign. However, before you get too excited, it is really nothing new - you will have to wait at least another 18 months before there is any chance of some action (click here to read the press announcement).
  9. 4 May 2006 - New Model for Tamar Waterfront. DTHD and Civic exchange have finally understood that the key to the harbour debate lies with the people, no government. Wisely they have created their own vision for the Tamar waterfront area (click to see picture :: click to read PDF format press release).
  10. 3 May 2006 - Green building starts with definitions. Article published in the South China Morning Post, Property Post, on 3 May 2006. click here to read (PDF format)
  11. 24 April 2006 - HKSDF endorses upcoming SCMP Conference - Taxing Pollution to be held on 24th April 2006 signup today  Click here to learn more - conference flyer {1 page, 346K, pdf format}
  12. 6-8 April 2006 International Sustainable Development Research Conference will be held in Hong Kong http://www.hku.hk/sdconf06
  13. 25 March 2006 - Community Planning a new concept for Hong Kong There is a community planning forum to be held on 28 March 2006 (as advertised in the SCMP 15 March 2006). A site visit is also planned on 18 March 2006. Contact email kdpo@pland.gov.hk for more information and registration.
  14. 18 March 2006 Help Design Hong Kong Harbour Front - contact Civic Exchange directly to participate http://www.civic-exchange.org
  15. 14 March 2006 - BBC reports findings. A sharp rise in carbon dioxide levels in US has been recorded
  16. 7 March 2006 - Sustainable Tourism Discovering Green and Heritage tourism (2006 Enviroseries Conference) also visit  http://www.bec.org.hk for more information.
  17. 7 March 2006 - China is beating Hong Kong hands down in environmental matters. Shanghai Residents may now opt to buy/use green electricity reported by World Business Council for Sustainable Development
  18. 25 Feb 2006 - HKSDF commentary on governments decision to abandon WKCD single developer model
  19. 22 Feb 2006 - The HKSAR Government abandons West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) Project (reported in the Standard) & (pdf format 2 pages) 
  20. 20 Feb 2006 - 88% of Hong Kong People Want a Greener Harbourfront. The Harbour Business Forum Releases Findings of Hong Kong's Most Comprehensive Survey of Public Opinion on Victoria Harbour.
 

 

2005- CLOSED

 
  1. Hong Kong Transport Policy - Driven to the Brink > a SCMP conference day on 5th December 2005, with keynote speaker Bill Baron.
  2. 6th October 2005 - HKSDF AGM - New appointments
  3. 22 June 2005 - Emission credits to spare? They could become more valuable. The EU emissions actually increased 1.5% between 2002 and 2003, therefore meeting the EU 8% reduction by 2012 seems increasingly unlikely...read more
  4. 20 June 2005 - When is an emission CAP not an emission CAP? when it is set by government.
  5. 19 June 2005 - Mainland starts sustainable development forum, China daily reports......read more here
  6. 18 June 2005 - The debate's over: - the Globe is warming USA Today, reported on 13 June 2005 - Don't look now, but the ground has shifted on global warming. After decades of debate over whether the planet is heating and, if so, whose fault it is, divergent groups are joining hands with little fanfare to deal with a problem they say people can no longer avoid...........read more
  7. International Alternative Energy Conference Hong Kong, to be held on 13-14 June 2005 find out more about the exciting developments - here is the link http://perc.polyu.edu.hk/icae/
  8. Enviroseries2005 The second conference in the series will be held on 8 June 2005. This event will be focused on Waste Management and sustainable solutions. HKSDF is a supporting organisation, and HKSDF members are eligible for discount - read more
  9. 24 May 2005 - The Hong Kong Government has announced (finally) it Sustainable Development Strategy - read more
  10. 20 May 2005 - Government announces (yesterday 19-5-2005) Harbour Enhancement Committee consultation, with open forums and charettes scheduled - read more
  11. 13 May 2005 - The HKSAR government yesterday (12 May 2005) announced the launch their SD policy strategy, the launch will take place on 24 May 2005. The response is the first comment, since the closure of the first CSD consultation. Read more about the consultation read more about the launch or download the invitation
  12. Q&A section added
  13. 22 April 2005 - HKSDF in the news. The Government audit report uncovered malpractice for diesel vehicle test procedures. Read more here: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GD22Ak01.html
  14. 9 April 2005 - The Hong Kong Conservancy Association have launched a signature campaign for the desperately needed Tree ordinance. read more here: http://www.conservancy.org.hk/monitor/ecology/treesignE.asp add your signature to ensure Hong Kong protects our trees.
  15. 1 April 2005 - Departments merging EPD and the Environmental branch (EB) of ETWB have merged.
  16. 18 March 2005 - Civic Exchange / WWF LUNCH TALK Friday, 18 March 2005 - Marriott Hotel, Salon 6 12.30 pm to 2 pm - Lunch provided. Civic Exchange and WWF presentation by Amory Lovins on our oil future and how reducing oil dependence can positively impact climate change and air quality around the world.
  17. 12 March 2005 - (published 7-3-2005) Mr McCarthy summarises, published in UK's Independent newspaper, the bleak future for handling climate change, are humans really able to understand the scale of the problems and find solutions.
  18. 2 February 2005 - EU Green Standards or more precisely the Electrical and Electronic waste directive has Hong Kong manufacturers scrambling to understand the impact. Effective from August 2005, it demands overseas manufacturers take back old products, recycle, and limits potentially poisonous heavy metal , lead, etc. content. Read more about the directive here: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/weee_index.htm
  19. 2 January 2005 - Draft West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) paper available for comment
  20. 1 January 2005 - Redesigned HKSDF web-site launched! With the additional content, increasing consultations, newsletters, and the like the existing structure was beginning to strain, demanding an overhaul. The cleaner lines, CSS enabled, light-weight layout will improve, visitors experience, download times and easing maintenance.

 

2004 - CLOSED

  1. HKSDF discussion Forum open!
  2. Merry Xmas - HKSDF December 2004 Newsletter is published read it here
  3. Consultation Findings revealed - read more on our CSD page
  4. Our very own Dr Yau Wing Kwong - HKSDF Vice chair is featured in SCMP 29.10.04
  5. Call for Papers - The need to consider institutional arrangements and culture in property management as a key to sustainable development....read more
  6. HKSDF Event - 10 November 2004 Sustainable Hong Kong event photo (pdf)
  7. Council for Sustainable Development (CSD) Consultation Workshops - More bilingual workshops announced. In response to the successful workshops, CSD has added more workshops with simultaneous translation services. Read more here English Chinese (approx. 576 KB pdf format) - Don't miss these opportunities to make your voice heard!
  8. Capacity Building for Renewable Energy in Hong Kong: Public Forum - 9 October 2004 (Organised by Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management, HKU)
  9. The CSD have arranged a number of workshops Read More
  10. The SDU / BEC are holding a Renewable Energy forum on 18th Sept 2004, for details of the format and content, contact the SDU : enquiry@susdev.org.hk
  11. The Hong Kong Council for Sustainable Development (CSD) issued (02-09-2004) the SD strategy bulletin no. 3 Read more (320K/pdf)
  12. The Hong Kong Council for Sustainable Development (CSD) issued (12-8-2004) the SD strategy bulletin no. 2 Read more (260K/pdf) hksdf
  13. HKSDF July Newsletter published read it online, click > NEWS
  14. HKSDF issues response paper for Hei Ling Chau Prison proposal Read More (pdf /290k) hksdf
  15. Council for Sustainable Development (CSD) 1st Consultation commenced on 17th July 2004. We have a special page for CSD news and views - Read More
  16. The consultation period for the Hei Lin Chau Super-prison is closing soon!  30th July 2004 to be exact. Visit http://www.livingislands.org.hk to discover more about the proposal and consultation exercise. Send a fax today - get your views heard.
  17. What are the Real Sustainability Challenges facing this world? Is just one, of many, questions that will be discussed and presented by Rachel Kyte - IFC - Environmental and Social Director. The forum will be held on Monday 19 July 2004, 6.30-8.30 pm at HKMA offices Room 5501, 55/F International Finance Centre, 1 Finance Drive, Central, Hong Kong.
  18. The Council for Sustainable Development, invites participates to the First Forum to discuss the "Invitation and Response" (IR) strategy document "Making Choices for our Future". The Forum will be held on Saturday, 17 July from 9:45 am to 12:00 noon in the Lecture Theatre, at the Hong Kong, Science Museum, Tsim Sha Tsui. update:  Refer to News section for more info.  HKSDF were well represented at the launch watch, more detail to follow.
  19. New Executive committee were appointed on 8th July 2004 Read More>>

2003 - CLOSED

 

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