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EU ETS was launched in January 2005 and reformed in 2023. It is the world's first Emissions Trading System (ETS) covering greenhouse gas emissions from entities in energy sectors and manufacturing industry of the European Union (EU) Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and aircraft operators flying within the EU and departing to Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as Northern Ireland electricity generators. The EU ETS has been linked with the emissions trading system in Switzerland (a Member State of the EFTA) since 1 January 2020. Since 1 January 2021, a UK Emissions Trading Scheme replaced the United Kingdom's participation in the EU ETS. After its reform in 2023, the EU ETS also covers emissions from maritime transport from 2024.
A new and separate EU ETS2 was introduced for buildings, road transport and additional sectors (mainly small industry not covered by the existing EU ETS). EU ETS2 will become fully operational in 2027, with monitoring and reporting of emissions starting in 2025.
The CBAM is a carbon border tax imposed by the European Union (EU) on certain carbon intensive goods imported into the EU. The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/956 which establishes the CBAM aiming to address the risk of carbon leakage by equalizing the price of carbon between domestic products and imports for achieving the EU's climate objectives.
In general, the CBAM will apply to goods listed in Annex I of the Regulation (i.e. cement, electricity, fertilisers, iron and steel, aluminium and hydrogen) originating in a third country, where those goods or processed products from those goods are imported into the EU. It will initially apply to (a) direct emissions of greenhouse gases from the time of production of goods until import into the EU; and (b) indirect emissions except for the goods listed in Annex II of the Regulation.
According to the EU, the CBAM shall apply in full from 1 January 2026, where importers as authorised CBAM declarants will be required to surrender CBAM certificates with price corresponding to the embedded emissions declared and verified. They may claim a reduction in the CBAM certificates to be surrendered corresponding to the carbon price already effectively paid in the country of origin for the declared embedded emissions.
The European Commission published an Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1773 which lays down the rules for the application of the CBAM as regards reporting obligations during the transitional period from 1 October 2023 until 31 December 2025. In gist, importers of goods covered by CBAM or their customs representatives in the EU are obliged to report the information listed in Annex I of this Implementing Regulation, which includes, among others, quantity, type, country of origin, production installation and routes, as well as specific embedded direct and indirect emissions of the goods. The amount of the specific embedded direct and indirect emissions shall be determined in accordance with the methodology set out in Annex III of this Implementing Regulation. For each quarter from 1 October 2023 until 31 December 2025, the reporting declarant shall submit the CBAM reports to the CBAM Transitional Registry (which is an electronic database) no later than one month after the end of that quarter (i.e. the first report will have to be submitted by 31 January 2024). In cases where the reporting declarant has not taken the necessary steps to comply fully with the reporting obligations, penalties shall be applied in the range between EUR 10 and EUR 50 per tonne of unreported emissions (which shall increase in accordance with the European index of consumer prices).
Before the end of the transitional period, the European Commission will review the application of CBAM to assess the possibility to extend the application scope, accompanied by a timetable for the gradual inclusion of products by 2030. Delegated and implementing acts under CBAM will be adopted to lay down detailed conditions for the application of the CBAM, including calculation and verification of the embedded emissions as well as management of the sale and repurchase of CBAM certificates.
The gradual introduction of the CBAM is aligned with the phase-out of the allocation of free allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to support decarbonisation.
Please click here for the EU's official website for the latest information on CBAM.
For more updates on Hong Kong's trade relations with EU, please see the Trade and Industry Department's European Union (EU) Information Page.
The "Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035" ("the National 14th Five-Year Plan") was approved by the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress on 11 March 2021, which maps out the development blueprint and action agenda for the country in the next five years (2021-2025) and, at the same time, crafts a vision for the long-range objectives through the year 2035. It points out that the country is actively responding to climate change, implementing the national voluntary contribution target for climate change response in 2030, formulating an action plan to peak carbon emissions before 2030, and striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. It also mentions a series of plans to improve the modern environmental governance system, including the promotion of market-based trading of carbon emission rights.
The National Emissions Trading System (ETS) has been in operation since July 2021. Its initial phase covers the power sector and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions products. The coverage of industries will expand to steel, petrochemical, construction materials and other key industries during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, and ultimately to eight key industries including electrical power, petrochemical, chemical industry, construction materials, iron and steel, non-ferrous metal, papermaking and aviation.
The Interim Regulations for the Management of Carbon Emission Trading entered into force on 1 May 2024 which explicitly outlines and specifies the ETS institutional mechanisms, regulates trading activities, ensures data quality, and penalises illegal behaviors.
Please click here for the official website of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China and here for China Climate Change Info-Net for the latest information.
Eight pilot ETS are implemented in Guangdong, Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin and Hubei, which are to be integrated into the national ETS. Each ETS pilot has its own industry coverage and operational details.
Enterprises not included in the national ETS may continue to participate in the regional pilot carbon markets.
Please click here for the official website of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China for the latest information.
For more updates on Hong Kong's trade relations with Mainland China, please see the Trade and Industry Department's Mainland China Information Page.
There is no nationwide Emissions Trading System in the United States. Several states, most notably, California and Washington, have implemented their own carbon trading markets.
New York, Colorado, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oregon are at various stages of development.
For more updates, please see -
- https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/cap-and-trade-program
- https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-invest
- https://capandinvest.ny.gov/
- https://cdphe.colorado.gov/greenhouse-gas-credit-trading-in-colorado
- https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/climatechange/rggi/pages/index.aspx
- https://www.rggi.org/
- https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/pages/default.aspx
The Clean Competition Act creates a carbon border adjustment mechanism to lower greenhouse gas emissions in high polluting sectors by imposing charges on imports from carbon-intensive manufacturers.
The Act is still in the proposal stage and has not yet been approved by the US Congress. It is proposed to cover high polluting sectors, e.g. fossil fuels, refined petroleum products, petrochemicals sectors.
For more updates on Hong Kong's trade relations with the United States, please see the Trade and Industry Department's Americas Information Page.
Singapore's carbon tax was implemented in January 2019, which is part of Singapore's comprehensive suite of domestic mitigation measures to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. About 80% of Singapore's total greenhouse gas emissions are covered by carbon tax levied on facilities in the manufacturing, power, waste, and water sectors, and fuel excise duties on its transport fuels. The carbon tax applies to all facilities with annual direct greenhouse gas emissions of 25,000 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) or more, with no exemptions.
Companies can offset up to 5% of their taxable emissions starting from 2024 if they are able to surrender high quality international carbon credits.
Singapore's carbon tax will be increased in phases –
- 2024 and 2025: S$25 (HK$142) per tCO2-e
- 2026 and 2027: S$45 (HK$255) per tCO2-e
- by 2030: S$50-S$80 (HK$284-HK$454) per tCO2-e
Please click here for Singapore's official website for the latest information on its domestic and international policies and strategies in tackling climate change.
The State and Trends of Carbon Pricing Dashboard is an interactive online tool launched by the World Bank Group to provide the latest information on existing and emerging direct carbon pricing initiatives around the world for policymakers, businesses, and researchers.
The Dashboard has two main sections: (i) Compliance Mechanisms (i.e. carbon taxes and/or emissions trading systems around the world) and (ii) Carbon Credit Markets (i.e. Government-administrated carbon crediting mechanisms around the world). Maps and simple graphics are used to present relevant latest information.
The Trade and Industry Department (TID) issues a number of Commercial Information Circulars on overseas trade and economic rules and regulations. Through TID's free e-mail notification service, you will receive an e-mail whenever there is any update. Please click here for more details.
EU ETS was launched in January 2005 and reformed in 2023. It is the world's first Emissions Trading System (ETS) covering greenhouse gas emissions from entities in energy sectors and manufacturing industry of the European Union (EU) Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and aircraft operators flying within the EU and departing to Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as Northern Ireland electricity generators. The EU ETS has been linked with the emissions trading system in Switzerland (a Member State of the EFTA) since 1 January 2020. Since 1 January 2021, a UK Emissions Trading Scheme replaced the United Kingdom's participation in the EU ETS. After its reform in 2023, the EU ETS also covers emissions from maritime transport from 2024.
A new and separate EU ETS2 was introduced for buildings, road transport and additional sectors (mainly small industry not covered by the existing EU ETS). EU ETS2 will become fully operational in 2027, with monitoring and reporting of emissions starting in 2025.
The CBAM is a carbon border tax imposed by the European Union (EU) on certain carbon intensive goods imported into the EU. The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/956 which establishes the CBAM aiming to address the risk of carbon leakage by equalizing the price of carbon between domestic products and imports for achieving the EU's climate objectives.
In general, the CBAM will apply to goods listed in Annex I of the Regulation (i.e. cement, electricity, fertilisers, iron and steel, aluminium and hydrogen) originating in a third country, where those goods or processed products from those goods are imported into the EU. It will initially apply to (a) direct emissions of greenhouse gases from the time of production of goods until import into the EU; and (b) indirect emissions except for the goods listed in Annex II of the Regulation.
According to the EU, the CBAM shall apply in full from 1 January 2026, where importers as authorised CBAM declarants will be required to surrender CBAM certificates with price corresponding to the embedded emissions declared and verified. They may claim a reduction in the CBAM certificates to be surrendered corresponding to the carbon price already effectively paid in the country of origin for the declared embedded emissions.
The European Commission published an Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1773 which lays down the rules for the application of the CBAM as regards reporting obligations during the transitional period from 1 October 2023 until 31 December 2025. In gist, importers of goods covered by CBAM or their customs representatives in the EU are obliged to report the information listed in Annex I of this Implementing Regulation, which includes, among others, quantity, type, country of origin, production installation and routes, as well as specific embedded direct and indirect emissions of the goods. The amount of the specific embedded direct and indirect emissions shall be determined in accordance with the methodology set out in Annex III of this Implementing Regulation. For each quarter from 1 October 2023 until 31 December 2025, the reporting declarant shall submit the CBAM reports to the CBAM Transitional Registry (which is an electronic database) no later than one month after the end of that quarter (i.e. the first report will have to be submitted by 31 January 2024). In cases where the reporting declarant has not taken the necessary steps to comply fully with the reporting obligations, penalties shall be applied in the range between EUR 10 and EUR 50 per tonne of unreported emissions (which shall increase in accordance with the European index of consumer prices).
Before the end of the transitional period, the European Commission will review the application of CBAM to assess the possibility to extend the application scope, accompanied by a timetable for the gradual inclusion of products by 2030. Delegated and implementing acts under CBAM will be adopted to lay down detailed conditions for the application of the CBAM, including calculation and verification of the embedded emissions as well as management of the sale and repurchase of CBAM certificates.
The gradual introduction of the CBAM is aligned with the phase-out of the allocation of free allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to support decarbonisation.
Please click here for the EU's official website for the latest information on CBAM.
For more updates on Hong Kong's trade relations with EU, please see the Trade and Industry Department's European Union (EU) Information Page.
The "Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035" ("the National 14th Five-Year Plan") was approved by the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress on 11 March 2021, which maps out the development blueprint and action agenda for the country in the next five years (2021-2025) and, at the same time, crafts a vision for the long-range objectives through the year 2035. It points out that the country is actively responding to climate change, implementing the national voluntary contribution target for climate change response in 2030, formulating an action plan to peak carbon emissions before 2030, and striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. It also mentions a series of plans to improve the modern environmental governance system, including the promotion of market-based trading of carbon emission rights.
The National Emissions Trading System (ETS) has been in operation since July 2021. Its initial phase covers the power sector and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions products. The coverage of industries will expand to steel, petrochemical, construction materials and other key industries during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, and ultimately to eight key industries including electrical power, petrochemical, chemical industry, construction materials, iron and steel, non-ferrous metal, papermaking and aviation.
The Interim Regulations for the Management of Carbon Emission Trading entered into force on 1 May 2024 which explicitly outlines and specifies the ETS institutional mechanisms, regulates trading activities, ensures data quality, and penalises illegal behaviors.
Please click here for the official website of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China and here for China Climate Change Info-Net for the latest information.
Eight pilot ETS are implemented in Guangdong, Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin and Hubei, which are to be integrated into the national ETS. Each ETS pilot has its own industry coverage and operational details.
Enterprises not included in the national ETS may continue to participate in the regional pilot carbon markets.
Please click here for the official website of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China for the latest information.
For more updates on Hong Kong's trade relations with Mainland China, please see the Trade and Industry Department's Mainland China Information Page.
There is no nationwide Emissions Trading System in the United States. Several states, most notably, California and Washington, have implemented their own carbon trading markets.
New York, Colorado, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oregon are at various stages of development.
For more updates, please see -
- https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/cap-and-trade-program
- https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-invest
- https://capandinvest.ny.gov/
- https://cdphe.colorado.gov/greenhouse-gas-credit-trading-in-colorado
- https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/climatechange/rggi/pages/index.aspx
- https://www.rggi.org/
- https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/pages/default.aspx
The Clean Competition Act creates a carbon border adjustment mechanism to lower greenhouse gas emissions in high polluting sectors by imposing charges on imports from carbon-intensive manufacturers.
The Act is still in the proposal stage and has not yet been approved by the US Congress. It is proposed to cover high polluting sectors, e.g. fossil fuels, refined petroleum products, petrochemicals sectors.
For more updates on Hong Kong's trade relations with the United States, please see the Trade and Industry Department's Americas Information Page.
Singapore's carbon tax was implemented in January 2019, which is part of Singapore's comprehensive suite of domestic mitigation measures to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. About 80% of Singapore's total greenhouse gas emissions are covered by carbon tax levied on facilities in the manufacturing, power, waste, and water sectors, and fuel excise duties on its transport fuels. The carbon tax applies to all facilities with annual direct greenhouse gas emissions of 25,000 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) or more, with no exemptions.
Companies can offset up to 5% of their taxable emissions starting from 2024 if they are able to surrender high quality international carbon credits.
Singapore's carbon tax will be increased in phases –
- 2024 and 2025: S$25 (HK$142) per tCO2-e
- 2026 and 2027: S$45 (HK$255) per tCO2-e
- by 2030: S$50-S$80 (HK$284-HK$454) per tCO2-e
Please click here for Singapore's official website for the latest information on its domestic and international policies and strategies in tackling climate change.
The State and Trends of Carbon Pricing Dashboard is an interactive online tool launched by the World Bank Group to provide the latest information on existing and emerging direct carbon pricing initiatives around the world for policymakers, businesses, and researchers.
The Dashboard has two main sections: (i) Compliance Mechanisms (i.e. carbon taxes and/or emissions trading systems around the world) and (ii) Carbon Credit Markets (i.e. Government-administrated carbon crediting mechanisms around the world). Maps and simple graphics are used to present relevant latest information.
The Trade and Industry Department (TID) issues a number of Commercial Information Circulars on overseas trade and economic rules and regulations. Through TID's free e-mail notification service, you will receive an e-mail whenever there is any update. Please click here for more details.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) first introduced its ESG Reporting Guide in 2013 and since then have continued to upgrade the disclosure obligations of listed issuers. With effect from 1 January 2025, HKEX's Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Code (ESG Code) requires listed issuers to make climate-related disclosures in phases.
HKEX has published an Implementation Guidance for Climate Disclosures under HKEX ESG reporting framework to provide practical guidance with explanations and interpretations to assist listed issuers in understanding the new climate disclosure requirements under paragraph Part D of the ESG Code and preparing relevant disclosures.
Under the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS), energy labels are required to be shown on the prescribed products for supply in Hong Kong to inform consumers of their energy efficiency performance. MEELS currently covers eight types of prescribed products, namely room air conditioners, refrigerating appliances, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), washing machines, dehumidifiers, televisions, storage type electric water heaters and induction cookers.
Apart from MEELS, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has also introduced a Voluntary Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (VEELS) for appliances and equipment used both at home and office as well as for vehicles to make it easier for the public to choose energy efficient products.
The Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WPRS) covering the regulated electrical equipment (REE) (including air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners, monitors, stand-alone tumble dryers and dehumidifiers) provides convenient means for recycling and also facilitates the proper treatment of abandoned REE, turning waste into resources. Under the WPRS, sellers of REE have to fulfill certain statutory obligations (for example, to arrange for the consumer a free door-to-door removal of the old product of the same type) while suppliers (including manufacturers and importers) must first register with the Environmental Protection Department as a registered supplier before distributing such regulated products in Hong Kong and pay recycling levy. For details of the WPRS, please click here.
Under the Producer Responsibility Scheme on glass beverage containers (GPRS), suppliers must first register with the Environmental Protection Department as registered suppliers before distributing any glass-bottled beverages in Hong Kong that are subject to the scheme, and must fulfill their statutory responsibilities, including:
- Submit periodical returns on the glass-bottled beverages that they distributed or consumed in Hong Kong;
- Pay relevant container recycling levy;
- Submit annual audit report to ensure accuracy of the information in the returns; and
- Keep records relating to the returns.
The Government released the Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035 in 2021 to carry on the past successes to the future, leading Hong Kong to be a more liveable city with air quality on par with major international cities by 2035, and advancing towards the target of meeting in full the ultimate standards of the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines in the long run. The Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035 covers six major areas, namely, comprehensive emissions reduction, green transport, liveable environment, clean energy, scientific management, and regional collaboration. For details, please visit the Environmental Protection Department (EPD)'s website at www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/resources_pub/policy_documents/index.html.
Hong Kong's carbon emissions mainly comes from power generation, transport and waste (mainly from landfills) respectively. To achieve carbon neutrality, Hong Kong's three major tasks are to go for net-zero carbon emissions for electricity supply and transport, and to cease landfilling of municipal wastes.
In terms of power plant emissions reduction, Hong Kong has been gradually replacing coal with natural gas and zero-carbon sources for power generation. Since 2008, the Government has been regularly issued Technical Memoranda to progressively tighten emission limits of power plants. For the emission caps set for power plants, please visit EPD's website at https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/envir_standards/statutory/esg_stat.html.
In terms of vehicular and shipping emissions reduction, the Government launched the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles in 2021, setting out the Government's various policies, measures and plans to promote adoption of electric vehicles and put forward the goal of zero vehicular emissions before 2050. Hong Kong has completed phasing out about 80000 pre-Euro, Euro I, Euro II and Euro III diesel commercial vehicles and tightened emission standards for first registered vehicles. Hong Kong will continue phasing out old diesel commercial vehicles. The Government announced the Green Transformation Roadmap of Public Buses and Taxis in 2024 to promote the green transformation of public buses and taxis. The Government promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering in the same year to set out clear strategies and actions to promote the development of Hong Kong into a high-quality green maritime fuel bunkering centre.
The Government announced the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035 in 2021, setting out the vision of "Waste Reduction‧Resources Circulation‧Zero Landfill". The blueprint outlines the strategies, goals and measures to tackle the challenge of waste management up to 2035.
The first phase of the Regulation of Disposable Plastic Tableware has been implemented since 22 April 2024, please see the scope of the Regulation and exclusions / exemptions here.
The second phase of the Regulation will be further implemented after fully considering the maturity, popularity and affordability of relevant non-plastic alternatives.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) first introduced its ESG Reporting Guide in 2013 and since then have continued to upgrade the disclosure obligations of listed issuers. With effect from 1 January 2025, HKEX's Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Code (ESG Code) requires listed issuers to make climate-related disclosures in phases.
HKEX has published an Implementation Guidance for Climate Disclosures under HKEX ESG reporting framework to provide practical guidance with explanations and interpretations to assist listed issuers in understanding the new climate disclosure requirements under paragraph Part D of the ESG Code and preparing relevant disclosures.
Under the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS), energy labels are required to be shown on the prescribed products for supply in Hong Kong to inform consumers of their energy efficiency performance. MEELS currently covers eight types of prescribed products, namely room air conditioners, refrigerating appliances, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), washing machines, dehumidifiers, televisions, storage type electric water heaters and induction cookers.
Apart from MEELS, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has also introduced a Voluntary Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (VEELS) for appliances and equipment used both at home and office as well as for vehicles to make it easier for the public to choose energy efficient products.
The Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WPRS) covering the regulated electrical equipment (REE) (including air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners, monitors, stand-alone tumble dryers and dehumidifiers) provides convenient means for recycling and also facilitates the proper treatment of abandoned REE, turning waste into resources. Under the WPRS, sellers of REE have to fulfill certain statutory obligations (for example, to arrange for the consumer a free door-to-door removal of the old product of the same type) while suppliers (including manufacturers and importers) must first register with the Environmental Protection Department as a registered supplier before distributing such regulated products in Hong Kong and pay recycling levy. For details of the WPRS, please click here.
Under the Producer Responsibility Scheme on glass beverage containers (GPRS), suppliers must first register with the Environmental Protection Department as registered suppliers before distributing any glass-bottled beverages in Hong Kong that are subject to the scheme, and must fulfill their statutory responsibilities, including:
- Submit periodical returns on the glass-bottled beverages that they distributed or consumed in Hong Kong;
- Pay relevant container recycling levy;
- Submit annual audit report to ensure accuracy of the information in the returns; and
- Keep records relating to the returns.
The Government released the Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035 in 2021 to carry on the past successes to the future, leading Hong Kong to be a more liveable city with air quality on par with major international cities by 2035, and advancing towards the target of meeting in full the ultimate standards of the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines in the long run. The Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035 covers six major areas, namely, comprehensive emissions reduction, green transport, liveable environment, clean energy, scientific management, and regional collaboration. For details, please visit the Environmental Protection Department (EPD)'s website at www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/resources_pub/policy_documents/index.html.
Hong Kong's carbon emissions mainly comes from power generation, transport and waste (mainly from landfills) respectively. To achieve carbon neutrality, Hong Kong's three major tasks are to go for net-zero carbon emissions for electricity supply and transport, and to cease landfilling of municipal wastes.
In terms of power plant emissions reduction, Hong Kong has been gradually replacing coal with natural gas and zero-carbon sources for power generation. Since 2008, the Government has been regularly issued Technical Memoranda to progressively tighten emission limits of power plants. For the emission caps set for power plants, please visit EPD's website at https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/envir_standards/statutory/esg_stat.html.
In terms of vehicular and shipping emissions reduction, the Government launched the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles in 2021, setting out the Government's various policies, measures and plans to promote adoption of electric vehicles and put forward the goal of zero vehicular emissions before 2050. Hong Kong has completed phasing out about 80000 pre-Euro, Euro I, Euro II and Euro III diesel commercial vehicles and tightened emission standards for first registered vehicles. Hong Kong will continue phasing out old diesel commercial vehicles. The Government announced the Green Transformation Roadmap of Public Buses and Taxis in 2024 to promote the green transformation of public buses and taxis. The Government promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering in the same year to set out clear strategies and actions to promote the development of Hong Kong into a high-quality green maritime fuel bunkering centre.
The Government announced the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035 in 2021, setting out the vision of "Waste Reduction‧Resources Circulation‧Zero Landfill". The blueprint outlines the strategies, goals and measures to tackle the challenge of waste management up to 2035.
The first phase of the Regulation of Disposable Plastic Tableware has been implemented since 22 April 2024, please see the scope of the Regulation and exclusions / exemptions here.
The second phase of the Regulation will be further implemented after fully considering the maturity, popularity and affordability of relevant non-plastic alternatives.